An Overview of the Unique Field of Submarine Medicine

Abstract

The environment aboard a submarine presents unique challenges to ensuring Sailor mental and physical health, safety, and readiness. The crew works long hours under high stress, with limited access to fresh air, fresh food, sunlight, privacy, exercise, and communication with the outside world. Crew members are cared for by a single submarine Independent Duty Corpsman. No textbook and few reviews have been dedicated to submarine medicine. This report provides an overview of the health concerns and medical care challenges in the submarine environment, and discusses what can be done to ensure health and readiness while underway.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 03, 2019
Accession Number
AD1082304

Entities

People

  • Ben D. Lawson
  • David M. Regis
  • Luke A Beardslee

Organizations

  • Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boats
  • Body Weight
  • Combat Injuries
  • Decompression Sickness
  • Fleet Ballistic Missiles
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Navy
  • Nuclear Powered Submarines
  • Nuclear Propulsion
  • Personnel Management
  • Submarine Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Systems Analysis and Design