7-Apr-2011 Source: US DoD
If you are or were a U.S. military helicopter pilot or crewmember, the Department of Defense wants to know if you suffered back/neck pain or injury (not resulting from an aviation mishap) that may be related to your service in helicopters. Back pain afflicts approximately 20% of the general population, but studies have indicated military helicopter crews are reporting unusually high rates of back pain and related injuries. A Department of Defense-sponsored study is under way to better understand the mechanisms of those injuries, the impact such injuries may have on operational readiness, safety and quality of life, and to identify the best options available for reducing such injuries in the future.
Researchers for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (AT&L) are urging current and former military pilots and crewmembers to complete this short online survey at www.DoDhelicopterseatsurvey.com.
Completed surveys are anonymous and should only be taken once. If you participated in a similar January 2010 Navy and Marine Corps survey, please do not complete this survey, as the results will be merged with this study.
The survey will be available online from April 1 through April 30, 2011.