Submarine Escape: The Effect of Training on Anxiety

Abstract

Student submariners in the South African Navy often report increased anxiety when confronted with the complicated nature of the submarine escape equipment and procedures. It was hypothesized that training should reduce this anxiety. This report describes part of the training process of the South African Navy, as well as a short investigation of the effect of training on anxiety. The investigation focused on state and trait anxiety, as well as overt and covert anxiety. Student submariners in the South African Navy were evaluated with the IPAT Anxiety Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before their submarine escape training. On the completion of their training, these instruments were again administered. Results suggested a decrease in overt and covert anxiety as well as trait anxiety. Although the first two results can be attributed to the effect of training, the change in subjects' trait anxiety remains unexplained.