When maritime professionals fall or get knocked overboard, they are at extreme risk. Particularly in cases where people do not consistently use personal flotation devices, going overboard could result in a professional drowning.
Thankfully, others onboard the vessel and nearby witnesses can sometimes successfully rescue an individual who has fallen into the water. Timely medical care can potentially save the life of an individual who nearly drowned while at work. However, they may not necessarily be able to return to work after such an incident. They may face a lifetime of challenges due to the permanent consequences of a near-drowning.
How nearly drowning affects job performance
Maritime professionals who nearly drown sometimes need to change careers afterward. Other times, they may never be able to work again. There are two common reasons that maritime employees who nearly drown may need to leave their jobs.
The longer a professional was in the water, the greater their risk of an anoxic brain injury. Their inability to breathe can result in brain damage after as little as five minutes in the water. Brain injuries can cause symptoms ranging from motor function challenges and memory issues to changes in personality.
Even without a permanent brain injury, a maritime professional may need to consider changing their career. The trauma of a near-drowning may impact their ability to confidently maneuver on a vessel in the future. They may be unable to perform their job safely and efficiently because of their prior experience.
Maritime workers coping with permanent employment changes because of an on-the-job incident may have the right to seek compensation. Quantifying the consequences of a near-drowning can help injured maritime professionals and their families seek appropriate compensation given their losses.