Re: Emergency Talk
CRMDEEN_at_aol.com
Mon, 3 Feb 1997 07:56:35 -0500 (EST)
In a message dated 97-02-03 02:18:41 EST, you write:
"Does anyone have experience with 'Emergency' talk"
<< kriechc_at_voyager.co.nz (Chris Kriechbaum) >>
Yes, Chris, we have had some experience with this concept. Several years ago
our Air Force C-130 program began aggressively advocating a systematic
progression of assertiveness. Assertiveness has different levels of
intensity, beginning with a simple suggestion, advancing through a
"criticism" level, then confrontation, and finally (and unfortunately),
conflict. Standardized phrases are then assigned to each level. The premise
is that a functioning crew need only work at the "suggestion" level. When
the asserting crewmember is ineffective, usually because of communication
barriers, the assertion level is raised. Advancing to the next higher step is
"emergency" in nature, just as declaring "go around" is necessary to elicit
an immediate reaction to a challenge. The Air Force designed and developed
the phrase "Time Out", and established specific, procedural responses to
occur when a crewmember said this. These responses are contained within
regulations.
When the phrase was first published there was a lot of resistance to it.
Some thought it would usurp the authority of the PIC, others thought it was
some "psychobabble silver bullet" that would produce instant salvation.
As we CRM facilitators continued to explain that accident reports
often indicate someone on the aircraft knew there was a problem, but did not
speak up. Why not? Perhaps they did not really know "how" to speak up. A
published phrase might give them the tool they need to overcome whatever
barrier is inhibiting them.
Today, I am pleased to report, I hear of a story at least once a week
in which a crew exercised this phrase, and a successful outcome was reached.
PIC's have discovered that they did not lose their authority. Crew
interaction actually improved. Available resources were better utilized. IT
WORKS! One flying unit went so far as to establish a local SOP that says
if, on a training flight, "Time Out" is said twice during the same flight,
the mission is aborted and the crew returns.
Tools that are properly designed, trained, and supported by management,
will work. One of our more recent mishaps might have been averted if
someone would have said it before the takeoff. As with any tool in any
business, it won't work if you don't use it.
Greg Deen
HTI-C-130 ATS.