Short-term effects of video-based education on occupational safety knowledge among commercial divers

Video-based learning has improved educational outcomes in medicine and nursing. However, in the field of commercial diving, despite the broad range of knowledge required, the effectiveness of license renewal and continuing education systems has not been sufficiently examined. This study evaluated the short-term effects of a video-based educational intervention on OSH knowledge and learning motivation among commercial divers and examined its usefulness as a CE tool.

A web-based quasi-experimental single-group pre-post intervention study was conducted between November 2024 and August 2025 with the cooperation of the Japan Dive Association. The target population comprised approximately 3,000 commercial divers from 160 corporate member companies. The intervention included a baseline questionnaire, a 13-item OSH knowledge test, an educational video, a post-test, and a final questionnaire. Eighty-one valid responses were analyzed using a paired t-test, with significance set at p < 0.05.

The mean correct response rate increased significantly from 46.6 to 66.3% after the intervention (p < 0.05). The mean number of correct answers increased from 6.1 to 8.6 (p < 0.0001). Knowledge improved for decompression sickness, high-altitude diving, and arterial gas embolism, whereas improvement was limited for M-values in decompression theory and pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Participants also reported increased motivation for information seeking and digital learning.

Education using short answer-explanation videos improved short-term knowledge of the key topics examined and enhanced learning motivation among commercial divers. This approach may support the development of continuing education (CE) programs.