the effect of individual characteristics on the potential event of decompression in traditional divers in the bajo village, boalemo regency

one of the diseases experienced by traditional divers is decompression. this study aims to determine the effect of individual characteristics consisting of age, body mass index, and length of work of divers to the potential incidence of decompression in traditional divers in bajo village, boalemo regency. this research is a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design, with a total population of 69 people and all of them are made as the object of research (exhaustive sampling). data is collected by conducting interviews, measuring the height and weight of divers. the instruments used were questionnaires, history sheets, height, and weight measurements. data analysis using the mann-whitney test. the results of this study indicate that of 69 respondents, 41 people (59.4%) experienced symptoms of decompression disease both severe and mild. the results of data analysis showed that there was a significant influence between age and years of service on the potential incidence of decompression with a mann-whitney u value = 260 p = 0,000 ( 0.05). and the value of mann-whitney u = 173 p = 0,000 ( 0.05) while body mass index does not significantly influence the potential incidence of decompression in traditional divers in bajo village, boalemo regency with the value of mann-whitney u = 445.5 p = 0.116 ( 0.05). it is expected that traditional divers who have reached the age of early age and have a working period that is above the average of 13 years in order to reduce their diving activities or can replace fishing with other methods of jam by diving.