Survey Of Physically Demanding Tasks Of U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Personnel

摘要

The primary objective of this study was to identify physically demanding tasks performed during EOD operations and rank them according to difficulty to perform, frequency of performance, and importance to mission success. Subject matter experts from EOD units were interviewed regarding tasks they perform or had performed as EOD technicians. Following an iterative review and revise process, an inventory was developed and judged comprehensive and technically accurate. We developed a three-part questionnaire based on the tasks. A total of 84 technicians from EOD Groups ONE and TWO completed the survey. The years of EOD experience of this sample ranged from 1 to 26.5 years, with a mean (+- SD) of 9 (+- 2) years. The top rated tasks were logistics tasks of loading diving equipment onto a support craft. The three tasks that respondents believed every EOD team member should be able to perform were partner rescues. These data comprise the most comprehensive analysis of the physical demands of actual EOD tasks performed to date. Logistics tasks appear to be among the most physically demanding and frequently performed. These data provide a basis for developing job-based fitness standards and may be used to develop physical training programs for EOD technicians.