SERVICE-RELATED HEALTH RISKS AMONG MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) PERSONNEL: A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY

Background Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel are exposed to combined physical, environmental, and psychosocial burdens, yet data on their health risks and lifestyle patterns in the Baltic Sea region remain limited. Material and methods A cross-sectional diagnostic survey was conducted among 126 male SAR crew members from central SAR units (n=47) and coastal rescue stations (n=79). An author-designed 35 item online questionnaire assessed sociodemographic profile, intervention characteristics, physical and environmental load, psychosocial support, and health related behaviors. Qualitative variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi squared tests (p