Post-traumatic stress and coping factors among search and recovery divers

Results One hundred and fifty-five questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 75%. Divers with prior missing person recovery experience scored lower on all three PTSD dimensions (avoidance, intrusion and hyper-arousal) with a significant difference for intrusion (P < 0.001). Coping mechanisms listed by the divers were search and recovery training, support from peers and search unit and sense of duty. Conclusions The results do not support the hypothesis of an accumulation of traumatic experience in experienced divers but may indicate a survivor bias of the most resilient individuals, or a wearing off of vulnerability to traumatic events with experience.