Decision Support for Pararescue

Introduction: This paper describes a project to articulate cognitive requirements for pararescue jumpers (PJs), an elite rescue unit of the United States Air Force. PJs work with other US Air Force Special Forces to conduct personnel recovery missions in hostile or denied areas. They work in a fast-paced, high-risk, dynamic environment. Method: We conducted a cognitive task analysis including interviews, observations, and literature review to better understand the cognitive challenges PJs must manage. We extracted cognitive requirements from existing literature, and created cognitive demands tables based on cognitive task analysis interviews and observations. We conducted card sort activities and met with subject matter experts to determine priorities for design solutions. Results and discussion: We created an initial concept for an Accountability and Ex-fil Planning Support Tool.