Submariners live where they work, logging long hours in an enclosed pressurized container with limited access to open space, fresh air, sunlight, privacy, exercise and fresh food, which can make it a challenge to follow a healthy lifestyle.
Fortunately, the Health Promotion Program offers resources that can make a measurable impact on the health of those living and working on submarines.
Solutions aboard the sub targeted food options, fitness, noise levels and hydration
Janelle Budgell, former Health Promotion Manager at CFB Halifax, and her team took on a project with members aboard the HMCS Windsor submarine to provide health and wellness support. The Health Promotion Program works with CAF members and leadership on actionable initiatives that help create healthier environments in key areas such as active living, food choices and mental wellness.
Budgell and her team were tasked to work with members aboard the HMCS Windsor, whose cramped crew of just over 50 can spend up to a month at a time without surfacing, making modifications to onboard nutrition, developing health education resources and securing specialized fitness equipment.
“We were looking at what are the barriers for healthy eating and physical activity and then worked to eliminate those barriers so that individuals are able to meet their optimal health and wellness,” said Budgell. “I can’t say enough about the unit’s willingness and wanting our support.
“And then you get an awesome project like this where you can see the changes come to fruition and you can see the quality of life for a submariner drastically improved.”
Their work showed that small changes can lead to big improvements. A key aspect of the project was coming up with alternative food choices. Crew members tend to opt for handheld breakfast sandwiches that are easy to consume during a busy work shift or act as a quick bite that allows for extra shut-eye for sleep-deprived members. Traditional sandwiches of eggs, bacon and cheese can be enjoyed in moderation, however, they are not the most nutritious breakfast choices for a more day-to-day meal. They have almost 500 calories, 29% of the %Daily Value of fat, as well as a lot of sodium and cholesterol – both of which contribute to high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
The Health Promotion Program team, which worked closely with the chefs to create taste-tested menus, brought in a version of a breakfast sandwich that was just as quick and easy to eat, but offered better nutrition with tomato and avocado, which was well-received. Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, as well as antioxidants, which help the immune system and protect cells from damage. Tomatoes are a great source of Vitamin C, potassium, folate and Vitamin K and one medium tomato has just 22 calories. Avocados are high in fibre and healthy fats, mainly monounsaturated, and their rich nutrient profile is healthy for the heart, vision, digestion and other parts of the body.
“There’s nothing like seeing your work put to good use,” said Victoria Philpott, a registered dietitian who worked on the project, and who since succeeded Budgell as the Health Promotion Manager in Halifax.. “Working on the nutrition aspect of this project and seeing the impact that can be made through small changes was really inspiring.”
But bringing in healthier food was only part of the equation. Submariners tend to have an imbalance of activity compared with the amount of food they consume. Space on a cramped submarine is always at a premium, making activity difficult and making room for fitness equipment a challenge. What Budgell and her team did was introduce specialized and compact fitness equipment that was designed for tight spaces, and they ensured the equipment was properly secured to the vessel for safety.
Noise is an issue aboard a sub more than in other work settings. Fitness equipment on the HMCS Windsor submarine needed to be non-disruptive to crewmembers working or sleeping nearby . The Health Promotion team successfully introduced compact fitness equipment that was virtually noiseless.
The team also made hydration a focus. Drinking enough water is important for all parts of the body, from keeping cells and organs functioning properly to improving sleep, cognition and mood. Budgell’s team procured water flavour enhancements and specialized water bottles that were noiseless if they fell to encourage crew members to keep hydrated.
Co-operation and tailored programs key to success
Collaborating with members was a key aspect of the project as life on a submarine is unlike any other kind of deployment. The team created health education resources, such as posters and videos and fitness plans that were tailored to individuals, job duties and the particular environment.
“We looked at how can we work with a group in their environment and adapt that environment so they can make healthier choices and have a healthy deployment,” said Budgell.
If you want to empower members under your command so that they can improve their health, contact the CAF Health Promotion program; their staff can help you identify barriers to health and wellness within your lines, and support you with initiatives that can contribute to meaningful change.
