Impacts of Sleep Deprivation
A lack of regular routine and disrupted circadian rhythms means that firefighters also face another significant health challenge, and that is sleep deprivation. This article will discuss the combined effects of sleep deprivation and chronic stress in firefighters, along with modern strategies that could help create healthier, more effective first responders.
Health Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Firefighters
The ability to stay awake beyond the norms is often glorified throughout the industry. Firefighters become so accustomed to operating with little to no sleep that most are unaware they are dangerously sleep-deprived.
Unfortunately, not recognizing that our firefighters are chronically stressed and sleep deprived is driving up the mortality rate one unnecessary death at a time. Both conditions can feed on each other so it's critical to address both if we are to create an improved outlook for first responders' long-term health.
Sleep is critical to mental alertness, but it's also essential for overall health quality. Dr. Faith S. Luyster of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society says that chronic sleep deprivation is linked to the accelerated development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. [1]
Running calls as the rest of the world slumbers is part of the job. Emergency situations don't limit themselves to 9 to 5, so all-night vigils are unavoidable.
Unfortunately, society is too dismissive of the dangers and health risks created by lack of sleep. We joke that we'll be fine as soon as the caffeine kicks in, or "we can sleep when we're dead." We flood our bodies with stimulants and use bags under our eyes as proof of bragging rights and a rock-solid work ethic.
Professor Matthew Walker, director of the University of California, Center for Human Sleep Sciences states that, "No aspect of our biology is left unscathed by sleep deprivation." He goes further and says that "sleep is the greatest legal performance-enhancing drug that most people are probably neglecting." [2]
There are physiological costs to getting less than 6 hours of sleep every night, including decreased testosterone production and a higher risk of cancer, cardiac arrest, and suicide. Your time to physical exhaustion can drop by up to 30%, which is a critical factor when you consider the implications of firefighters who are not at the top of their game during an emergency.
The effects of sleep deprivation are cumulative. Our immune system takes a hit and we are more prone to disease. Injuries sustained by exhausted firefighters during a call-out can also take longer to heal.
References:
Luyster, F. S., Strollo, P. J., Zee, P. C., & Walsh, J. K. (2012). Sleep: A health imperative. Sleep, 35(6), 727–734. https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.1846
Independent Digital News and Media. (2018, January 2). Lack of sleep is killing us, leading scientist warns. The Independent. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/sleep-deprivation-epidemic-health-effects-tired-heart-disease-stroke-dementia-cancer-a7964156.html