Stress Scale
Much research has been done on the negative effects of stress on our physical and psychological well-being. The more stress we experience, whether we know it or not, the more inclined we are to lose concentration, forget things, and perform poorly on tasks that should be familiar and easy for us. More often than not, those effects have little impact upon our day-to-day life. Such effects while flying, however, could lead to a disastrous outcome.
The Stress Scale
The Holmes and Rahe stress scale is a tool that has been used for more than 40 years as a predictor of one’s vulnerability to illness. This tool is also used as a model for determining how life events rank in causing stress, which can lead to performance degradation, loss of concentration, or worse.
To score your stress levels, simply check the box in the right hand column next to all the events that have happened to you in the last year. Your score will automatically update.
Score Interpretation
| Score | Comment |
|---|---|
| 300+ | You have a high or very high risk of becoming ill in the near future. |
| 150-299 | You have a moderate to high chance of becoming ill in the near future. |
| <150 | You have only a low to moderate chance of becoming ill in the near future. |
Additional ASI Resources
Aeronautical Decision Making
Poor decision making is the root cause of many—if not most—aviation accidents. Good decision making, on the other hand, is about avoiding the circumstances that lead to really tough choices. The goal is really very simple: Learn to make good choices every time you fly. The Aeronautical Decision Making Safety Spotlight brings together relevant safety content to help you hone this single most important safety skill.