If you have ever experienced a panic attack while scuba diving, you know how terrifying it can be. Panic attacks can be fatal. This can lead to you hyperventilating and holding your breath. As a result, you will lose your ability to see clearly and may make foolish decisions. You could even drown ten to fifty metres below the water, inhaling compressed air that alters the chemistry and causing you to die.
P panic attack treatment for scuba diving
Understanding panic attacks while scuba diving is important. Panic can result in injury as a diver becomes unable to think clearly or control their actions. They are focused on getting to the surface and their actions can be unpredictable and dangerous. Panic is a physiological reaction to severe stress. It impairs the ability of a person to control their actions and pay attention in the environment. This can lead to dangerous behavior, and can even result in death.
There are several things that can help you avoid panic attacks. Divers need to be aware of the surrounding and learn to communicate.
Signs of panic attack scuba diving
You can check if your buddy is calm and relaxed when you're scuba diving. Early panic may indicate that your buddy is looking blankly and unable to make eyecontact. When a diver appears to be having a panic attack, ask him or her to step back.
Calming down and reassuring panicked divers is essential. Avoid running over to the side of a dive. This could further escalate the situation and potentially endanger the diver. It is also important to not grab on to the diver, as this could trigger an attack. The diver could lose control of their air supply and become immobile. You should not attempt to calm the diver. Instead, you should keep your distance and get the diver out of the water as quickly as possible.
Many reasons can lead to panic attacks while scubadiving. For example, a diver may be prone to panic attacks if they are sensitive to caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can also increase your chances of experiencing panic attacks, so it is important to avoid these substances before diving.
Here are some observations that will help you distract from the panic attack while scuba diving
Observations can be a powerful distraction from the panic attack. The physical reaction of panic involves rapid breathing and increased carbon dioxide in the body. Your brain responds to the increase in carbon dioxide by sending out stress hormones and signaling your heart and lungs to work harder. This can cause a depletion of your oxygen tank. If you feel panic attacks coming on, take steps to lessen the severity.
When panic attacks are approaching, you can focus on familiar sensations such as water on your skin or the dive watch. You can swim deeper or ascend at an easier, more safe speed if this is possible. This will help you get past panic and keep the dive going.