Abstract This part of the article presents the process of renovation and technical modernisation undertaken in the first decade of the 20th century in order to repair the system after it was leased to RANA, to secure PETOBALTIC’s investment and, most importantly, to adapt it to the requirements of classification societies and improve the safety and comfort of divers. The work was carried out in several stages and, as a result, the system is operating successfully to the present day. The investor was PETROBALTIC, while the main contractor and author of the modernisation was the Underwater Works Technology Department of the Polish Naval Academy.

Abstract About 15% of adults and 10% of children worldwide live with disabilities (87 million in the European Union). The most common cause of disability among adults are diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Objective The aim of the work was to analyze available support programs for seniors with physical disabilities in Poland. Materials and methods Data from the Provincial Office in Lublin were analyzed. Results Number of inhabitants of the Lublin Voivodeship in 2024 amounted to 2,022,047 people with 60+ population of 555,824 (27.44%). Expenditures from the state budget on social policy in the voivodeship in 2024 amounted to PLN 1.57 billion. There were 7 pro-senior programs conducted. Conclusions 1. Numerous senior support programs are financed from the state budget, dedicated funds and Social Insurance Institution. 2. In order to obtain institutional help, seniors should first report to local social welfare centers.

Abstract The use of gold as a cosmetic and medicinal ingredient has a long history that is still developing. Their introduction into use was based on observing the body’s reaction after treatment with these metals, today their action is based on modern, wide-scale scientific research. Scientific literature presents gold as having anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-aging properties, but its metabolic functions are still under investigation. The development of technology has led to the production of Au in the form of nanoparticles, which results in their greater efficiency compared to standard forms and new applications. The aim of the study was to analyze the composition of cosmetic and medicinal products containing gold available on the Polish market. In addition, an attempt was made to find an answer to the question what forms of gold are most often used by producers of cosmetics and medicinal products. In the period from September 2023 to February 2024, information was collected on cosmetic and medicinal products containing gold available on the Polish market. Information was obtained on 61 cosmetic products containing gold and 10 medicinal products containing gold. Conclusions Gold is more often an ingredient of cosmetic products than medicinal products. Medicinal and cosmetic products with gold most often contain it in the form of nanoparticles.

Abstract The study concerns an expert interview conducted with Lieutenant commander Major Józef Rembisz, the founder and first commander of the Formosa Special Military Unit. The interview was realised on 28.01.2018 in Gdynia, at Skwer Kościuszki. The meeting with Mr Józef Rembisz was attended by 25 students of the Uniformed Services Branch of the Academy of Physical Education from Biała Podlaska. The purpose of the interview was to hear from the founder and at the same time experienced commander of the aforementioned special unit about the contemporary trends and interests of young people in this type of forces as well as the possibilities of their fitness preparation for marine special forces. During the meeting, the interviewee brought up historical aspects, presented his biography, and presented his position resulting from observations and reflections on the current possibilities for the preparation of contemporary generations of candidates for selection, i.e. the main test carried out in the Polish special forces. The observations given by the interviewee were aimed at making the listeners aware of the direction they should follow in order to appropriately model their motor skills in order to adequately prepare for the aforementioned selection. The results of the interview are the thoughts and suggestions of an experienced commander of the aforementioned special forces unit suggesting the direction that should be followed by contemporary candidates interested in joining the service in special forces.

Abstract Introduction: The authors of the article reviewed the available scientific literature, library resource bases and media reports in order to present the topic of safety in the hyperbaric environment and fire accidents in hyperbaric chambers. Since the topic of the safety of the use of the chambers in the context of the threat to the life and health of both patients, staff and safe personnel is an important medical issue, an attempt was made to present the topic, description of accidents and numerous observations were made. Material and methods: Review of scientific literature and multimedia materials from the library collections. Results: A fire in a hyperbaric chamber, which exposes patients, staff and technical staff to the risk of loss of health and life, is the lack of compliance with procedures and the use of adequate algorithms based on them.

Abstract This paper presents a study of the effects of hyperbaric conditions on the vestibular organ during sham air exposures in an animal model. The proper functioning of the vestibular organ determines diving safety due to the limited role of the organ of vision underwater, especially in our latitudes. The study was conducted on 16 rabbits by recording the animal’s head movements generated by a ‘galvanic test.’ The tests were performed during compression at positive pressures of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 atm and then during decompression at the same overpressures. A decrease in the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimuli was found as the pressure increased.

Abstract The article presents the results of a pilot programme to include psychological tests in the qualification rules for candidates for military divers and scuba divers. 207 candidates for training at the Polish Army Divers and Scuba Divers Training Centre were tested. They were subjected to mental fitness tests, personality tests, psychomotor fitness tests and general fitness tests. Numerous psychological contraindications to undertaking training and diving service were identified; the most common issue identified being a lack of robustness of the diver’s mental state for dealing with the situations likely to be encountered in the water. The conclusions suggest that, as in other countries, psychological examinations should be included in the qualification of candidates for diving. The results of the tests, despite their non-mandatory nature, were partly taken into account in the opinion of the Military Maritime and Medical Commission.

Abstract Safety is one of the main aspects related to physical activities conducted on or in the immediate vicinity of water. Many people drown every year in Poland. The use of a kayak has numerous legal aspects. In the light of Polish regulations, a kayak is a ship. Vessels used on inland waterways must comply with the technical requirements and requirements for life-saving equipment set out in specific regulations. One of them is the obligation to equip the ship with life jackets in the number corresponding to the number of passengers on the ship. With the proviso that to meet the requirement it is enough to equip the ship with life jackets, and not to use them, understood as putting a life jacket on a person staying on the ship. The study was aimed at determining the attitudes and behaviors of Polish kayakers in the field of kayak use, especially regarding safety and comfort, with particular emphasis on the life jacket as a popular means of increasing safety on the water. The study was conducted in the form of an original questionnaire placed in groups of kayakers on a popular social networking site. In total, all kayaking groups in which the survey was placed count nearly 15,000 participants. The survey was anonymous and voluntary, it did not collect data about respondents. The study involved 257 people, including 172 men (67%) and 85 women (33%). The participants of the study assess their kayaking skills as: intermediate 43.6%, advanced 38.9%, beginner 9.7%, expert 7.4%, one person declared the level of "instructor". 42% of respondents declare that they kayak several dozen days a year, 37.4% - several days a year, 15.6% - one to several days a year, 4.3% - several times a week, some people gave different answers . Most respondents (72.8%) have their own life jackets. 27.2% of respondents do not have such vests, which suggests that they rent them together with kayaks. Conclusions: There is lack of coherent and clear laws regulating the safety obligations of persons using kayaks as amateurs in Poland. Among the surveyed intermediate and advanced kayakers there is high level of awareness regarding the safety of using a kayak and measures to increase safety. Among interviewed kayakers there is significant popularity of life jackets in the absence of a legal regulation considering them as basic and sufficient safety measure when kayaking.

Abstract The purpose of the research is to compare the somatic parameters of people practicing swimming in different conditions of the geographical environment – in Poland and Norway. The research material was collected by performing anthropometric measurements in a 112 person group of professional swimmers living in Poland and group 21 swimmers from Norway. The mean of the age in the group of Poles was 19.97 years (SD=3.31) and in the group of Norwegians it was 17.11 years (SD=1.05). A series of anthropometric measurements was performed in both research groups. Statistical analyzes were made using the Statistica 13.1 (StatSoft, USA). In summary of the results of the conducted research, it must be emphasized that these indicate differences in the somatic structure of swimmers living and training in Poland and Norway.

Abstract Diving locations can pose various risks to divers. Health problems can be caused by, among other things, pathogenic microorganisms as well as flora and fauna endemic to the region. This paper discusses the consequences of exposure to biological pathogens endemic to the Red Sea region and possible preventive measures that can be taken before and during a diving expedition.