On October 31, 2025, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) successfully concluded a pivotal Submarine Medicine Course in Halifax, NS, following a simulated submarine emergency. This advanced training aimed to strengthen the medical readiness of clinicians operating in the demanding and isolated environment of submarines.

The course featured highly realistic scenarios, including trauma management, treatment of decompression sickness, and psychological support for crew members—addressing both physical and mental health challenges. Medical support personnel from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany, alongside students from Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, and Israel, collaborated in high-pressure drills to refine emergency response capabilities.

Training took place aboard a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), equipped with multiple hyperbaric chambers and medical shelters on its flight deck to simulate a submarine rescue platform. A key focus of this year’s program was mental health readiness, complemented by integrated Public Affairs and Media training to ensure effective communication during crises.

The exercise underscored the critical importance of teamwork and interoperability among multinational partners. The successful completion of the Submarine Medicine Course and SUBSAR Exercise highlights the value of international collaboration and shared expertise in submarine medicine—enhancing global naval readiness to respond to maritime medical emergencies.