Knowledge-level assessment of commercial divers: a focus on fundamental decompression procedures

Commercial diving, a specialized profession encompassing various underwater tasks for industries such as construction and maintenance, exposes divers to unique hazards and challenges. Fundamental diving knowledge, encompassing the understanding of diving theories (DTs) and decompression procedures (DCPs), plays a pivotal role in enhancing diving safety. This study aims to assess the knowledge level of professional commercial divers regarding fundamental DTs and DCPs. The findings reveal notable disparities in knowledge levels among divers based on their qualifications, service sectors and professional experiences. While first-class divers, mixed-gas divers and second-class divers demonstrated satisfactory understanding of essential DTs and DCPs, individual divers and aquaculture divers exhibited potential knowledge gaps. The identified discrepancies underscore the significance of professional knowledge in ensuring diver safety and signal the need for targeted training programs to enhance divers' understanding of essential DTs and DCPs.