Blended police firearms training improves performance in shoot/don't shoot scenarios: a systematic replication with police cadets.

BackgroundInadequate situational awareness accounts for two-thirds of preventable complications in anesthesia. An essential tool for situational awareness in the perioperative setting is the patient monitor. However, the conventional monitor has several weaknesses. Avatar-based patient monitoring may address these shortcomings and promote situation awareness, a prerequisite for good decision making.ObjectiveThe spatial distribution of visual attention is a fundamental process for achieving adequate situation awareness and thus a potential quantifiable surrogate for situation awareness. Moreover, measuring visual attention with a head-mounted eye-tracker may provide insights into usage and acceptance of the new avatar-based patient monitoring modality.MethodsThis prospective eye-tracking study compared anesthesia providers' visual attention on conventional and avatar-based patient monitors during simulated critical anesthesia events. We defined visual attention, measured as fixation count and dwell time, as our primary outcome. We correlated visual attention with the potential confounders: performance in managing simulated critical anesthesia events (task performance), work experience, and profession. We used mixed linear models to analyze the results.ResultsFifty-two teams performed 156 simulations. After a manual quality check of the eye-tracking footage, we excluded 57 simulations due to technical problems and quality issues. Participants had a median of 198 (IQR 92.5-317.5) fixations on the patient monitor with a median dwell time of 30.2 (IQR 14.9-51.3) seconds. We found no significant difference in participants' visual attention when using avatar-based patient monitoring or conventional patient monitoring. However, we found that with each percentage point of better task performance, the number of fixations decreased by about 1.39 (coefficient –1.39; 95% CI –2.44 to –0.34; P=.02), and the dwell time diminished by 0.23 seconds (coefficient –0.23; 95% CI: –0.4 to –0.06; P=.01).ConclusionsUsing eye tracking, we found no significant difference in visual attention when anesthesia providers used avatar-based monitoring or conventional patient monitoring in simulated critical anesthesia events. However, we identified visual attention in conjunction with task performance as a surrogate for situational awareness.

The risk of major occupational accidents involving tripping hazards is commonly underestimated with a large number of studies having been conducted to better understand variables that affect situation awareness: the ability to detect, perceive, and comprehend constantly evolving surroundings. An important property that affects situation awareness is the limited capacity of the attentional system. To maintain situation awareness while exposed to tripping hazards, a worker needs to obtain feedforward information about hazards, detect immediate tripping hazards, and visually scan surroundings for any potential environmental hazards. Despite the importance of situation awareness, its relationship with attention remains unknown in the construction industry. To fill this theoretical knowledge gap, this study examines differences in attentional allocation between workers with low and high situation awareness levels while exposed to tripping hazards in a real construction site. Participants were exposed to tripping hazards on a real jobsite while walking along a path in the presence of other workers. Situation awareness was measured using the situation awareness rating technique, and subjects’ eye movements were tracked as direct measures of attention via a wearable mobile eye tracker. Investigating the attentional distribution of subjects by examining fixation-count heat maps and scan paths revealed that as workers with higher situation awareness walked, they periodically looked down and scanned ahead to remain fully aware of the environment and its associated hazards. Furthermore, this study quantitatively compared the differences between the eye-tracking metrics of worker with different situation awareness levels (low versus high) using permutation simulation. The results of the statistical analysis indicate that subjects did not allocate their attention equally to all hazardous areas of interest, and these differences in attentional distribution were modulated by the workers’ level of situation awareness. This study advances theory by presenting one of the first attempts to use mobile eye-tracking technology to examine the role of cognitive processes (i.e., attention) in human error (i.e., failure to identify a hazard) and occupational accidents.

Situational awareness (SA) is critical for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers as they operate in high-stakes, dynamic environments requiring rapid information processing and decision-making. While prior research has explored SA challenges in EMS, little is known about how visual attention patterns influence SA and clinical performance. This study employs eye-tracking technology to objectively assess how EMS providers allocate their visual attention during simulated pediatric emergency scenarios in urban and rural settings. We investigate variations in visual attention across experience levels, team structures, and task roles and examine differences between high- and low-performing teams. Results reveal that high-performing teams demonstrate more frequent and evenly distributed visual scanning, whereas lower-performing teams exhibit a narrowed focus, increasing the risk of missing critical cues. Our findings underscore the need for training interventions and technology solutions to enhance SA and optimize EMS performance.

Foggy weather is a prominent contributing factor to the malfunction of Level 3 automated driving systems, potentially impairing drivers’ perception and reaction during the takeover process. While previous studies have investigated fog’s impact on takeover safety by assessing drivers’ visual attention, the influence of fog on drivers’ recovery of situation awareness (SA) during takeovers—particularly concerning neural activities—has been overlooked. This research aims to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine how fog affects drivers’ brain activities during takeovers of Level 3 automated driving. Thirty volunteers participated in the experiment. Initially, they engaged in a non-driving-related task. On receiving a takeover request, participants pressed a button, which was followed by the presentation of a driving scenario video. The results showed that fog did not affect brain activation in non-critical takeovers, while significantly influencing brain activation in critical takeovers. Compared with the clear × critical scenario, the percentage change in signal intensity of the middle occipital gyrus and the fusiform gyrus in the foggy × critical scenario was significantly lower. Moreover, the thalamus, prefrontal cortex, and precuneus were activated only in the clear × critical scenario, suggesting that high-level cognitive functions were impeded in foggy weather. These findings indicate that foggy weather impairs drivers’ information perception (Level 1 SA) during takeovers, consequently suppressing comprehension (Level 2 SA) and projection (Level 3 SA). This highlights the potential of fMRI as an effective tool for comprehending drivers’ cognitive states throughout the takeover process.

Multimodal prediction of situation awareness during automated driving: a gaze and EEG-based approach

As cyber-attacks grow in scale, sophistication, and impact, advanced training and evaluation platforms are essential for cybersecurity readiness. Cyber Ranges (CRs) provide controlled, high-fidelity simulation environments in which professionals can practice defensive strategies under realistic threat scenarios. In such environments, success depends not only on technical skill but also on robust Situational Awareness (SA), the cognitive capacity to perceive events, understand their meaning, and project future developments. Although SA is recognised as critical, existing CR evaluation methods typically focus on overall performance metrics (e.g., task completion rates, response accuracy, mission success). Such assessments often fail to capture the deeper, cognitive aspects of SA, limiting the CR’s ability to evaluate decision-making agility and strategic insight. In response, this work presents the SA Scoring System (SASS), a dynamic, multi-dimensional framework designed to quantify SA in live CR environments. SASS decomposes SA into core dimensions, perception, comprehension, projection, and resolution, then monitors trainee behaviour and scenario interactions in real-time. Each dimension is assessed via weighted metrics: timing of responses, sequence and number of reasoning steps, usage and effectiveness of tools and techniques, hints requested, and decision outcomes. These metrics are aggregated into interpretable scores that reflect both aspects, specific performance and overall SA proficiency. In this study, the SASS is validated in a series of cyber-defence exercises involving participants of differing expertise levels. The results demonstrate that SASS scores correlate strongly with expert evaluations and can discriminate between high and low SA performers with high fidelity. SASS enables instructors to pinpoint cognitive weak spots (e.g. delayed perception or faulty projection) and adapt training on the fly. Ultimately, integrating the SASS into CR platforms enriches the evaluation process, promoting not just technical competence but also the situational agility needed to counter modern cyber threats.

Analyses of eye tracking and think-aloud protocol data were performed to examine novice-expert differences in perceptual and cognitive aspects of air traffic controllers' situation awareness. In Experiment 1, three groups of field air traffic controllers (experts, intermediates, novices) were asked to perceive situations that were manipulated by complexity. In Experiment 2, protocol analysis of controllers' situation awareness was performed to extract cognitive strategies as a function of expertise. Then delayed-recall task and interviews on air traffic control plans for the recalled situations were also executed. Results showed that expert controllers concentrate only on several critical features and have their own strategies to reduce mental workloads.

Visual attention has a significant effect on various visual functions, such as response time, detection and discrimination sensitivity, and color appearance. It has been suggested that visual attention may affect visual functions in the early visual pathways. In this study we examined selective effects of visual attention on sensitivities of the chromatic and achromatic pathways to clarify whether visual attention modifies responses in the early visual system. We used a dual task paradigm in which the observer detected a peripheral test stimulus presented at 4deg eccentricities while the observer concurrently carried out an attention task in the central visual field. In experiment 1, it was confirmed that peripheral spectral sensitivities were reduced more for short and long wavelengths than for middle wavelengths with the central attention task so that the spectral sensitivity function changed its shape by visual attention. This indicated that visual attention affected the chromatic response more strongly than the achromatic response. In experiment 2 it was obtained that the detection thresholds increased in greater degrees in the red-green and yellow-blue chromatic directions than in the white-black achromatic direction in the dual task condition. In experiment 3 we showed that the peripheral threshold elevations depended on the combination of color-directions of the central and peripheral stimuli. Since the chromatic and achromatic responses were separately processed in the early visual pathways, the present results provided additional evidence that visual attention affects responses in the early visual pathways.

Evaluation of the effect of information integration in displays for ICU nurses on situation awareness and task completion time: A prospective randomized controlled study

Unravelling situational awareness of multi-tasking pedestrians through average gaze fixation durations: An accelerated failure time modelling approach.

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The aim was to assess health care providers' (HCPs) visual attention (VA) by using eye-tracking glasses during a simulated neonatal intubation. HCPs from three pediatric and neonatal departments (Feldkirch and Vienna, Austria, and Edmonton, Canada) completed a simulated neonatal intubation scenario while wearing eye-tracking glasses (Tobii Pro Glasses 2®, Tobii, Stockholm, Sweden) to record their VA. Main outcomes included duration of intubation, success rate, and VA. We further compared orotracheal and nasotracheal intubations. 30 participants were included. 50% completed the intubation within 30 s (M = 35.40, SD = 16.01). Mostly nasotracheal intubations exceeded the limit. Experience was an important factor in reducing intubation time. VA differed between more and less experienced HCPs as well as between orotracheal and nasotracheal intubations. Participants also focused on different areas of interest (AOIs) depending on the intubator's experience. More experience was associated with a higher situational awareness (SA) and fewer distractions, which, however, did not transfer to significantly better intubation performance. Half of the intubations exceeded the recommended time limit. Differences in intubation duration depending on type of intubation were revealed. VA differed between HCPs with different levels of experience and depended on duration and type of intubation. Simulated neonatal intubation duration differs between orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation. Visual attention during simulated neonatal intubation shows differences depending on intubation duration, intubator experience, type of intubation, and level of distraction. Intubator experience is a vital parameter for reducing intubation duration and improving intubator focus on task-relevant stimuli.

HighlightsCommercial truck drivers are a significant component of the logging workforce, and driver qualifications are an important component of managing risk.Some error types important in crash causation involve cognitive factors, which are effectively addressed by lecture or on-line training.There is evidence for the effectiveness of lecture-type driver training as an intervention for managing fatigue, situational awareness, and driving behavior.Adoption of trained behavior is supported by individual factors, a company safety culture, and supervisor feedback.Abstract. The logging industry relies on owner-operators and employed commercial drivers, who comprise up to 40% of logging employment, to transport products from the forest to the mill gate. Truck drivers are exposed to many of the same risks as logging workers as well as additional risks from vehicle crashes. Vehicle crash risks contribute to risk of personal injury and liability related to public safety, which are critical reasons for enhancing driver qualifications. Driver qualifications can be influenced by hiring better drivers and improving drivers’ skills through training even after they have received their commercial driver’s license. To explore the effectiveness of driver training in the logging industry, we reviewed studies of commercial driver training assessment and training interventions that included lectures (on-line or in-person) as a main component. Decision errors and violations are important in crash causation and involve cognitive skills, which are addressed by this type of training. Additionally, lecture training is more accessible than behind-the-wheel or simulator training for logging operations that employ just a few drivers. In their efforts to improve driver qualifications, large commercial carriers often provide driver training, reinforce the training through monitoring, and rely heavily on driver selection. The literature supports the effectiveness of training related to cognitive factors, including fatigue management, behavior, and situational awareness. Successful lecture training interventions are accompanied by individual feedback or coaching. Training that produces measurable outcomes (behavior or crash risk) is supported by a suite of factors involving the trainee, the training, and the company or supervisor. Keywords: Commercial vehicles, Logging, Training, Trucking.

BackgroundMany training curricula were introduced to deal with the challenges that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) presents to the surgeon. Situational awareness (SA) is the ability to process information effectively. It depends on general cognitive abilities and can be divided into three steps: perceiving cues, linking cues to knowledge and understanding their relevance, and predicting possible outcomes. Good SA is crucial to predict and avoid complications and respond efficiently. This study aimed to introduce the concept of SA into laparoscopic training.MethodsThis is a prospective, randomized, controlled study conducted at the MIS Training Center of Heidelberg University Hospital. Video sessions showing the steps of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) were used for cognitive training. The intervention group trained SA with interposed questions inserted into the video clips. The identical video clips, without questions, were presented to the control group. Performance was assessed with validated scores such as the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) during LC.Results72 participants were enrolled of which 61 were included in the statistical analysis. The SA-group performed LC significantly better (OSATS-Score SA: 67.0 ± 11.5 versus control: 59.1 ± 14.0, p value = 0.034) and with less errors (error score SA: 3.5 ± 1.9 versus control: 4.7 ± 2.0, p value = 0.027). No difference in the time taken to complete the procedure was found. The benefit assessment analysis showed no difference between the groups in terms of perceived learning effect, concentration, or expediency. However, most of the control group indicated retrospectively that they believed they would have benefitted from the intervention.ConclusionThis study suggests that video-based SA training for laparoscopic novices has a positive impact on performance and error rate. SA training should thus be included as one aspect besides simulation and real cases in a multimodal curriculum to improve the efficiency of laparoscopic surgical skills training.

This study developed an on-field anticipation training intervention with the aim of improving novice goalkeeper penalty kick performance. Eighteen participants were allocated to either one-player (OP); or three-player (TP) training. The OP group faced “traditional” practice, with one player running-up to execute each kick. The TP group faced three players in a form of variable practice; two players stopped their run-up approximately 1.2m from the ball with the third-player executing the kick. Following training, results revealed that TP made significantly more saves when facing non-deception kicks in comparison with OP. An implication for applied practice is that there are potential gains to be made through training anticipation skills via new on-field practices rather than the current research focus on video-based training.