title: The identification of combat survivability tasks associated with naval vessel damage in maritime environments.
abstract: Effective Navy personnel have the physical ability to perform combat survivability tasks commensurate with their unique physical requirements due to the distinctive characteristics of naval platforms. The aim of this investigation was to identify the physically demanding whole-of-ship tasks that are performed by Navy personnel while at sea. A mixed method design was used to identify tasks, inclusive of focus groups and field observations. From a series of ten focus groups, nine tasks were deemed to be physically demanding whole-of-ship tasks. A subsequent field observation of a combat survivability training course resulted in a refined and expanded 33-item list of physically demanding whole-of-ship tasks across six categories, including; replenishment at sea, emergency response, firefighting, leak stop and repair, toxic hazard and casualty evacuation. The findings from this study provide the basis for the development of physical employment standards for whole-of-ship tasks within the Royal Australian Navy.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human and Applied Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: k.middleton@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kane J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.affiliation: Land Division, Defence Science and Technology Group, Melbourne, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: amelia.carr@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Amelia J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D004630:Emergencies; D005390:Fires; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008283:Maintenance; D008889:Military Personnel; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D005082:Physical Exertion; D018635:Rescue Work; D012767:Ships; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014857:Warfare; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Employment standards; Physically demanding occupation; Task analysis