A retrospective review of the utility of chest X-rays in diving and submarine medical examinations.

Introduction: Performance of routine Chest X-rays (CXRs) in asymptomatic individuals to assess hyperbaric exposure risk is controversial. The radiation risk may overshadow the low yield in many settings. However, the yield may be higher in certain settings, such as tuberculosis-endemic countries.

Analysis of Single- and Double-Stranded DNA Damage in Osteoblastic Cells after Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure.

(1) Background: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) exposure induces oxidative stress that may lead to DNA damage, which has been observed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes or non-human cells. Here, we investigated the impact of hyperbaric conditions on two human osteoblastic cell lines: primary human osteoblasts, HOBs, and the osteogenic tumor cell line SAOS-2. (2) Methods: Cells were exposed to HBO in an experimental hyperbaric chamber (4 ATA, 100% oxygen, 37 °C, and 4 h) or sham-exposed (1 ATA, air, 37 °C, and 4 h).

Dispositional resilience predicts psychological adaptation of seafarers during and after maritime operations.

Background: Seafarers, whether on cargo, fishery, or naval ships, may be exposed to unique and unusual psychological demands related to the often isolated, confined, and extreme environments associated with ocean-going vessels. This necessitates optimal psychological adaptation to maintain individual well-being during the mission and afterwards. This study set out to explore whether psychometric measures could predict psychological adaptation of seafarers, specifically navy sailors, during and after maritime operations.

A Concise Occupational Mental Health Screening Tool for South African Workplaces.

Mental health in the workplace is becoming of ever greater importance. General occupational health surveillance programmes are already in widespread use, with established referral systems for treatment and rehabilitation, and the same mechanisms could be expanded to include mental health screening and intervention. This study aimed to develop a concise composite mental health screening tool, based on analysis of existing data, for application in routine occupational health surveillance in South Africa.

Mood responses to COVID-19: Implications for family practice in South Africa.

The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mood responses of individuals is an important indicator of how society is coping with the pandemic. Characterising mood responses in a South African sample could prepare clinicians for possible presentations of mental health concerns in general practice. This study described mood responses during COVID-19 Alert Level 1.

Common mental health conditions among navy divers: A brief report.

Introduction: A recent article reported on common mental health conditions among recreational scuba divers, and observed that the prevalence mirrored national population figures. This raised the question of the extent to which this might also be the case among professional divers. No data on commercial divers could be located; this paper presents the situation among navy divers.

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder prevalence among commercial divers in South Africa.

Introduction: Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with increased chance of workplace accidents, psychiatric comorbidities, other risky behaviours and sophisticated psychopharmacological treatment. These factors all contribute to a potentially complex risk profile within the commercial diving context. In order to make informed decisions regarding ADHD and commercial diving, further description of this condition among commercial divers is required.

Associations Between Adverse Underwater Events and ADHD Diagnosis Among Military Divers.

Adult ADHD (A-ADHD) has been associated with an increased risk of accidents and workplace injuries. ADHD within professional diving may have major potential occupational health and safety implications, as accidents underwater may have severe consequences. The study investigated any association of increased risk for adverse underwater incidents with an ADHD diagnosis.

Effect of hyperoxia on the immune status of oxygen divers and endurance athletes.

Physical activity, particularly that, exerted by endurance athletes, impacts the immune status of the human body. Prolonged duration and high-intensity endurance training lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby to oxidative stress. Military combat swimmers (O-divers) are regularly exposed to hyperbaric hyperoxia (HBO) in addition to intensive endurance training intervals.

Psychological considerations in submarine escape training: brief overview and future directions.

The inability of a submarine to surface must rate as one of greatest risks to sailors in peacetime. To prepare for such emergencies, many navies provide training to master the procedures required to escape successfully from disabled submarines. This paper provides a brief overview of some of the psychological principles in simulated submarine escape training.

Diving under the influence: issues in researching personality and inert gas narcosis.

Background: This paper considers the relationship between measures of personality and mood states, and susceptibility to inert gas narcosis. It briefly reviews the topics of inert gas narcosis affecting personality, and personality affecting the susceptibility to inert gas narcosis. There appears to be is a theoretical argument for a possible relationship between measures of personality, mood states, and susceptibility to narcosis.

Effect of a Faith-Based Education Program on Self-Assessed Physical, Mental and Spiritual (Religious) Health Parameters.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of attending a faith-based education program (FBEP) on self-assessed physical, mental and spiritual health parameters. The study was designed as a prospective, observational, cohort study of individuals attending a 5-day FBEP. Out of 2650 sequential online registrants, those previously unexposed to the FBEP received automated invitations to complete 5 sequential Self-Assessment Questionnaire's (SAQ's) containing: (1) Duke University Religion Index (DUREL); (2) Negative Religious Coping (N-RCOPE); (3) Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (4) Center for Epidemiology and Statistics-Depression Scale (CES-D); (5) Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ); and the (6) State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Clinical utility of the brunel mood scale in screening for post-traumatic stress risk in a military population.

Measures of mood states and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms are commonplace in many studies. However, the conventional application of these measures conjointly raises questions whether they actually correlate, and whether mood states have a meaningful role in predicting PTS symptoms. This study aimed to assess the degree to which the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) would be useful in detecting adverse psychological experiences (e.

Pathogenesis and management of a late manifestation of vivax malaria after deployment to Afghanistan: conclusions for NATO Armed Forces Medical Services.

Because of the worldwide engagement of the German armed forces, tropical diseases may come to the attention of their medical services. In particular, acquired malarial infections, which sometimes become symptomatic only months or even years after soldiers return from military operations, need to be addressed. Other forces, such as the British, U.

Levels of anxiety and hostility in South African Navy divers.

This study aimed to describe the levels of anxiety and hostility in a group of 45 SA Navy divers, by analysing their scores on an Anxiety Scale and Hostility and Directed Hostility Questionnaire. Results indicate that divers experience average anxiety compared with the norm groups. They have a higher urge for acting out their hostility, and are more critical of others than the norm group.

Psychological attributes of South African Navy Underwater Sabotage Device Disposal operators.

The first of two studies described here aimed to determine the extent to which psychological instruments could be used to describe the psychological profile of Underwater Sabotage Device Disposal (USDD) operators in the South African Navy. The Advanced Progressive Matrices, 16-Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), Self-Directed Search Questionnaire, and Rey Complex Figure Test were used. In this study, five 16PF factors appeared to be most descriptive of the sample.

Personality characteristics of South African navy divers.

The first study aimed to determine the extent to which the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) can be used to describe successful divers in the South African Navy. The 16PF profiles of 100 divers were analyzed to describe the personality characteristics of naval divers. Results indicate that four personality factors were most descriptive of the sample.

Personality characteristics of South African Navy submarine personnel.

This study aimed to determine the extent to which the Institute of Personality and Ability Testing Anxiety Scale and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire can be used to describe successful submariners in the South African Navy. The Anxiety Scale scores were within normal limits when the profiles of 85 submariners were analyzed to describe the personality characteristics of submarine personnel. Although no significant factors were found, the results indicate that four personality factors appeared to be most descriptive of the sample.