Health risks of diving among U.S. Navy officers

The objectives were to compare hospitalization, medical board, and mortality rates of diving-related disorders and stress-induced diseases between U.S. Navy male diving officers (n = 1977) and a matched sample of nondiving officers (n = 1973). Less experienced diving officers had significantly higher hospitalization rates than more experienced diving officers for total admissions, stress-related disorders (primarily alcoholism), and cardiovascular disease. Diving officers had significantly higher hospitalization rates than controls for nervous system diseases and joint disorders; none of these hospitalized diving officers had a recorded incident of decompression sickness. To ensure the safety and overall excellent health status of diving officers, it is necessary to promote and continue adherence to the procedures developed for safe diving in the U.S. Navy diving community.