Multiphasic health profiles of Navy divers

A multiphasic medical screening program was conducted on 197 qualified U.S. Navy divers. For this cross-sectional study each individual passed through several phases of examination: personal background and history, personal medical history, psychological testing, physical examination, anthropometry, audiometry, blood chemistry and hematology, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiography, roentgenography, and vision testing. The data are presented in a descriptive format. The results of most of the examinations were normal. However, decrements in auditory function were observed at low and high frequencies. Values for several pulmonary function tests were high in comparison to those reported in the general population. Obesity was prevalent as determined by clinical examination and anthropometric measurements. These findings suggest the feasibility of incorporating data from comprehensive periodic medical surveillance of occupational diving populations into longitudinal investigations of diver health.