Sleep, Wellness, and Mood of Personnel Standing Watch on US Navy Information Warfare Watchfloors

Abstract

This project aimed to improve the sleep, wellness, and mood of personnel standing watch on US Navy Information Warfare watchfloors. Data were collected from 82 participants on two US Navy watchfloors. Volunteers wore ŌURA rings and completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study. Our findings suggest that the 6-section/8-hour-shift watchbill is generally preferable to the 4-section/12-hour-shift watchbill. We developed general guidelines and recommendations for fatigue mitigation based on the data collected from the two watchfloors, the predicted effectiveness of the two watchbills calculated using the Sleep, Activity, Fatigue, and Task Effectiveness (SAFTE-FAST) model, and background literature on shiftwork. The recommendations for watchstanders focused on sleep hygiene practices, sleep environment, timing of sleep and naps, light management, the use of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, nutrition, and exercise.