Recognising Diver Stress Flashcards
What’s a contributor or direct cause of most emergencies?
Stress
-> can emotionally overwhelm you
What’s stress?
physical or mental tension that results in physical, chemical or emotional/psychological changes in the body
-> positive and negative effects
In which sequence does stress occur?
- initial cause
- diver’s disposition (perception of issue as big or small)
- how is the issue dealt with
-> generation of stress depends on situational and personal factors
What are bad ways of dealign with stress?
denying, rationalising and continuing the dive
-> take proper look at stressor and abort dive if there’s no rational solution
What do physical stressors cause?
discomfort, loss of strength and other bodily functions
What are examples for physical stress?
cold & heat
sea sickness
gas narcosis
fatigue
Can physical stress be subtle?
yes (e.g. leaking mask)
What’s psychological stress?
reaction to perceived threats, includes beliefs
often results from physical stress
What’s the guideline cave divers apply to prevent accidents due to peer pressure?
“Any diver can end any dive at any time due to any reason without explanation”
What’s mental task loading?
trying to pay attention to too many variables at once
-> fear of inability to live of to the task
What does the adrenal gland release to prepare for emergency action and what are the effects?
epinephrine (aka adrenaline)
increases breathing & heart rate
-> usually helpful
-> for unaware divers underwater: may lead to rapid, shallow breathing & symptoms of air starvation
What’s perceptual narrowing?
focus is limited to threat
-> useful if you prevent hyperfixation
How can a stressed diver behave on the surface?
spit out regulator, push off mask, fail to establish buoyancy
