On October 30, 2026, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) successfully concluded the Submarine Medicine Course and Exercise VIPERFISH MERCY in Esquimalt, BC, 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, and the United States, alongside students from Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Singapore, collaborated in high-pressure drills to refine emergency response capabilities.

Training took place aboard a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), HMCS Max Bernays, 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 mass casualty patient movement, patient tracking using ISMERLO, and was 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 Exercise VIPERFISH MERCY highlights the value of international collaboration and shared expertise in submarine medicine—enhancing global naval readiness to respond to maritime medical emergencies.