Flight Safety articles - the effects of "Startle"

[Don Hudson]

The following two articles deal with startle in a way that I think is helpful in understanding why just training may not be able to counter the effects of a sudden, untoward occurence. I think they both provide a good basis for further discussion for all, not just pilots.

http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/54072/82496_1.pdf?sequence=1

and,

http://www.icao.int/Meetings/LOCI/Presentations/Managing Startle Individual Crew and Organizational Strategies.pdf

[Moon The Loon]

Without even looking at your links, Don, your title says it all:

Things don't always fail the way the book describes. Hence, the few seconds to absorb, analyze, rely on training, assess, action based on training, common sense and the fact WTF?

Startle says it all - expect the unexpected, then deal with it the tools you have. Training, checklists, experience, understanding, common sense. All in that order.

[DEFCON]

Interesting ... Thanks Don.

It would seem that the amount of time the 'startle effect' has influence in a situation is dependent on all the factors Moon listed and the pilot's ability to remain 'task disciplined'. Iow's, when disarming a bomb, the tech has to remain focused on the task at hand and avoid becoming distracted by the mosquito that begins to bite his nose.