Navy
MEDICAL
Subspecialty

Officer Subspecialty

16U1

Undersea Medicine, Subspecialty

An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.

Description

Undersea medicine subspecialists provide medical care for divers, submariners, and personnel exposed to underwater and pressure-related hazards. They assess fitness for duty, manage diving injuries, and advise on medical risks in maritime operations.

Core Skills

  • undersea medicine
  • diving physiology
  • hyperbaric medicine
  • pressure injury management
  • submarine medical support
  • occupational health assessment
  • emergency medical decision making
  • clinical risk management
  • medical readiness advising

Common Certifications

  • American Board of Preventive Medicine Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Certification
  • American Board of Emergency Medicine Certification
  • Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Diving Medical Examiner Certification

Civilian Career Paths

  • EMERGENCY MEDICINE
  • PUBLIC HEALTH
  • EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Training & Development

Getting Started

  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Fellowship
  • Diving Medical Examiner Course

Career Growth

  • American Board of Preventive Medicine Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Certification
  • Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN)
  • American Board of Preventive Medicine Occupational Medicine Certification

Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.