The Indigenous Fisherman Divers of Thailand: Attitudes Toward and Awareness of Hazards

• Published in: Journal of safety research Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 17 - 28
• Main Authors: Gold, David, Geater, Alan, Aiyarak, Soomboon, Wongcharoenyong, Somchai, Juengprasert, Wilawan, Chuchaisangrat, Boonriang, Griffin, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago Elsevier Ltd 2000; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: attitude; Attitudes; awareness; danger; Fishing industry; hazards; Indigenous divers; Native peoples; Risk; Thailand; Thailand; Indigenous divers; hazards; awareness; risk; Thailand; danger; attitude
• ISSN: 0022-4375; 1879-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-4375(99)00026-2

The attitudes toward and awareness of hazards in a group of indigenous fisherman divers were investigated. Three hundred and forty-two divers were interviewed using a questionnaire that was also used for investigating mortality and morbidity, as well as determining diving practices. Divers were asked to describe and evaluate dangers. Divers were also asked to describe the principal causal factor as well as means of elimination of the danger. When asked to identify the danger that carries the highest possibility of causing injury, divers identified interruption of air supply, marine life, and decompression sickness. A high percentage (83.6%; 266/318) of the divers felt that pain was part of their job and only 36.9% (123/333) felt that something could be done to reduce the pain while diving. When asked whether they would give up diving if they could make the same money doing another job, 66.6% (227/341) indicated that they would give up diving. There is an indication that a number of safety practices are used while diving. This investigation points to the need to develop informational and educational tools to raise the awareness of the divers of certain risks and how to reduce these risks.