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Metro North considers sleep apnea screenings after New York derailment Metro North considers sleep apnea screenings after New York derailment
(4 months later)
A deadly Metro-North train derailment last year, in which the train's "dazed" engineer was found to have sleep apnea, has pushed the railroad to look into establishing screening for the condition, which could include measuring operators' necks and asking them and their spouses about snoring habits.A deadly Metro-North train derailment last year, in which the train's "dazed" engineer was found to have sleep apnea, has pushed the railroad to look into establishing screening for the condition, which could include measuring operators' necks and asking them and their spouses about snoring habits.
While no cause has been established for the 1 December derailment in the Bronx that left four dead and dozens hurt, apnea has attracted attention. Before the accident, federal railroad officials had been discussing requirements related to sleep disorders. But there is still no national screening requirement for apnea, and railroads around the country have varying practices.While no cause has been established for the 1 December derailment in the Bronx that left four dead and dozens hurt, apnea has attracted attention. Before the accident, federal railroad officials had been discussing requirements related to sleep disorders. But there is still no national screening requirement for apnea, and railroads around the country have varying practices.
A Metro-North spokesman, Aaron Donovan, confirmed that the railroad which serves New York City's northern suburbs was working with unions on sleep apnea screening, but cautioned nothing has been decided.A Metro-North spokesman, Aaron Donovan, confirmed that the railroad which serves New York City's northern suburbs was working with unions on sleep apnea screening, but cautioned nothing has been decided.
Any programme, he said, "would be for all employees in any safety-sensitive positions”.Any programme, he said, "would be for all employees in any safety-sensitive positions”.
Apnea robs its victims of rest because their tongue and throat muscles relax too much during sleep, and they are repeatedly awakened as their airway closes and their breathing stops.Apnea robs its victims of rest because their tongue and throat muscles relax too much during sleep, and they are repeatedly awakened as their airway closes and their breathing stops.
"The person basically gasps himself awake," said Dr Gregory Belenky, director of the sleep and performance research centre at Washington State University. "It's very much the functional equivalent of waterboarding.""The person basically gasps himself awake," said Dr Gregory Belenky, director of the sleep and performance research centre at Washington State University. "It's very much the functional equivalent of waterboarding."
Loud snoring is a symptom and apnea is more common in those who are overweight. Having a large neck size, over 17in for men, is a risk factor.Loud snoring is a symptom and apnea is more common in those who are overweight. Having a large neck size, over 17in for men, is a risk factor.
The National Transportation Safety Board said William Rockefeller, who was at the controls during the Metro-North derailment, was classified as obese at 5ft 11in and over 260lb. The National Transportation Safety Board said William Rockefeller, who was at the controls during the Metro-North derailment, was classified as obese at 5ft 11in and over 260lb.
Rockefeller told NTSB investigators he felt strangely "dazed" before his train hit the Spuyten-Duyvil curve, which has a 30mph speed limit, at 82mph. Asked if he was clearheaded enough to realize he was entering a curve, he replied: "Apparently not."Rockefeller told NTSB investigators he felt strangely "dazed" before his train hit the Spuyten-Duyvil curve, which has a 30mph speed limit, at 82mph. Asked if he was clearheaded enough to realize he was entering a curve, he replied: "Apparently not."
Rockefeller's medical exam after the accident uncovered "severe obstructive sleep apnea" – when experts studied his sleep, he woke up about 65 times an hour without being conscious of it. As few as five interruptions an hour can make someone chronically sleepy.Rockefeller's medical exam after the accident uncovered "severe obstructive sleep apnea" – when experts studied his sleep, he woke up about 65 times an hour without being conscious of it. As few as five interruptions an hour can make someone chronically sleepy.
A common treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, which uses a mask and hose to push a steady flow of air pressure into a person's airway during sleep.A common treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, which uses a mask and hose to push a steady flow of air pressure into a person's airway during sleep.
Rockefeller responded well to CPAP and felt more energetic, the NTSB said. His Epworth scale score dropped from 12 ("See the advice of a sleep specialist without delay.") to 1 ("Congratulations, you are getting enough sleep.").Rockefeller responded well to CPAP and felt more energetic, the NTSB said. His Epworth scale score dropped from 12 ("See the advice of a sleep specialist without delay.") to 1 ("Congratulations, you are getting enough sleep.").