{"id":571,"date":"2025-01-08T12:51:29","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T04:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/?p=571"},"modified":"2025-01-08T12:51:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T04:51:29","slug":"scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/","title":{"rendered":"Diving Stress Management: Scuba Diver Panic &amp; Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Diving Stress Management: Scuba Diver Panic &amp; Anxiety<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Scuba diving is blissful activity, but on rare occasions, things can go wrong. When the worst happens, a diver&#8217;s survival will depend on their response. That response will be determined by their ability to deal with stress. I&#8217;m not a psychologist, but as a veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/what-is-technical-diving\/\">technical diving<\/a> instructor with over 30 years of dive experience, I have noticed some trends in real-life diving stress management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wikimili.com\/en\/Human_factors_in_diving_safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">65% of divers have experienced panic underwater<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Panic impedes judgment and performance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accidents happen as a result<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This article examines what really causes acute panic responses. Furthermore, it suggests how divers can effectively develop their diving stress management to deal successfully with underwater emergencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Article Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#The-role-of-panic-in-scuba-diving-incidents\" >The role of panic in scuba diving incidents<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Which-divers-are-more-prone-to-panic\" >Which divers are more prone to panic?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#What-causes-an-acute-panic-response-in-scuba-divers\" >What causes an acute panic response in scuba divers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Exceeding-comfort-zone\" >Exceeding comfort zone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Individual-stress-resilience\" >Individual stress resilience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#CO2-narcosis\" >CO2 narcosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Scuba-diving-stress-management-and-comfort-zones\" >Scuba diving stress management and comfort zones<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#What-constitutes-a-diving-comfort-zone\" >What constitutes a diving comfort zone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Diving-stress-management-Developing-resilience\" >Diving stress management Developing resilience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#When-scuba-diving-stress-management-cannot-be-taught\" >When scuba diving stress management cannot  be taught<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Developing-diving-stress-management\" >Developing diving stress management<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Ingrained-emergency-responses\" >Ingrained emergency responses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Emergency-problem-solving\" >Emergency problem-solving<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Diving-stress-management-is-self-belief\" >Diving stress management is self-belief<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#The-need-for-challenge-and-realism-in-scuba-training\" >The need for challenge and realism in scuba training<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#A-blueprint-for-diver-stress-management-development-in-scuba-training\" >A blueprint for diver stress management development in scuba training<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Assess-and-develop-diver-comfort-zones\" >Assess and develop diver comfort zones<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Develop-skills-as-instinctive-automated-responses\" >Develop skills as instinctive automated responses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Enable-problem-solving-under-stress\" >Enable problem-solving under stress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Helping-divers-understand-their-limits\" >Helping divers understand their limits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Be-a-gatekeeper-for-diver-safety\" >Be a gatekeeper for diver safety<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Start-improving-your-diving-stress-management-today\" >Start improving your diving stress management today<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Gas-Management-For-Scuba-Divers\" >Gas Management For Scuba Divers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Diving-Stress-Management-References\" >Diving Stress Management References<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#About-The-Author\" >About The Author<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-stress-management-and-diver-panic\/#Purchase-my-exclusive-diving-ebooks\" >Purchase my exclusive diving ebooks!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The-role-of-panic-in-scuba-diving-incidents\"><\/span>The role of panic in scuba diving incidents<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.2165\/00007256-199520060-00005\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Panic is a major danger to scuba divers<\/a> because survival instinct is counter-intuitive to safe diving practices. A scuba diver in acute panic will revert to instinctive self-preservation. As a result, they won&#8217;t apply the techniques that they were taught. This situation results in otherwise avoidable scuba diving fatalities and injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most divers have heard of the <em>fight-or-flight<\/em> survival mechanism. This describes what is referred to as the &#8216;acute stress response&#8217;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst underwater, confronted with an acute fear of drowning, there is very little opportunity for the fight element to occur. Thus, the flight response is typically dominant when a diver exceeds their psychological capacity for rational response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which-divers-are-more-prone-to-panic\"><\/span>Which divers are more prone to panic?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Psychology studies in scuba diving have illuminated many interesting facts about diver personality traits and their behaviors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, scuba divers with high <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/neuroticism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">neuroticism<\/a><\/strong> (low emotional stability) tended to exhibit irresponsible behaviors, such as damaging coral reefs and marine ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast, divers higher in trait <strong>agreeableness<\/strong>, <strong>extroversion<\/strong>, and <strong>openness<\/strong> were more likely to demonstrate responsible underwater behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcentral.com\/condition\/anxiety\/trait-anxiety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trait anxiety<\/a><\/strong> has been identified as a key marker of panic-prone divers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-palette-color-8-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4c2e232f039a3e3811beb621e68657df\"><strong>Trait anxiety is a consistent predisposition to perceive threat and consequently experience anxiety across various situations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An above-average score in this trait reliably signals a greater risk of panic during scuba training. Even experienced divers are more panic-prone if they are high in this trait. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to know your trait anxiety score, take the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) test <a href=\"https:\/\/psycho-tests.com\/test\/spielberger-anxiety-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>HER<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/compendiumapp.com\/post_4Wnaz6-IY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>E<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-causes-an-acute-panic-response-in-scuba-divers\"><\/span>What causes an acute panic response in scuba divers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand diver panic, it is beneficial to consider the factors that can lead to it. Essentially, it occurs when the scuba diver doesn&#8217;t have a solution to what they perceive as a life-threatening situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without any solution to attempt, they resort immediately to the irrational &#8216;flight&#8217; response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exceeding-comfort-zone\"><\/span>Exceeding comfort zone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Scuba diving panic is really about the diver&#8217;s comfort zone. It can be assumed that the diver has substantially exceeded their diving comfort zone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can be thought of as the scope of diving they feel justifiably confident to conduct. In turn, that confidence has to be a product of having reliable and effective responses to foreseeable problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Individual-stress-resilience\"><\/span>Individual stress resilience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the diver would have little innate stress resilience. Any safety-threatening stressor is likely to provoke an adrenaline dump, which they are not capable of controlling. As a result, their actions will arise from their unconscious primate brain, not their logical and reasoning mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the scuba diver does have a solution to preserve their safety, the fight-or-flight response will be postponed. This happens when the diver possesses a level of ingrained skill, which will be their first reaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recognizing that a solution is available can be enough to overcome panic. In this case, the adrenalin dump improves their focus, heightens their reactions, and gives them strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CO2-narcosis\"><\/span>CO2 narcosis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No article about diving stress management would be complete without mentioning the <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-co2-narcosis-and-hypercapnia\/\">role of CO2 narcosis<\/a> in triggering anxiety and panic. I have personally observed incredibly stress-resilient divers succumb quickly to intense anxiety because of high <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/gas-density-diving-research-risks-recommendations\/\">CO2 retention<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CO2 is 25x more narcotic than nitrogen. In addition, it is metabolized within the body, not slowly absorbed at depth. <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/improving-air-consumption-scuba-diving\/\">Exertion<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/diving-descent-speed-co2-narcosis-gas-density\/\">fast descent<\/a>, poor quality dive gear, and diving with <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/gas-density-diving-research-risks-recommendations\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/gas-density-diving-research-risks-recommendations\/\">breathing gas above recommended gas density limits<\/a> can all provoke <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-co2-narcosis-and-hypercapnia\/\">CO2 narcosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-anxiety-and-co2-narcosis\/\">CO2 narcosis is characterized by inexplicable and overwhelming anxiety<\/a>. Additionally, it is usually accompanied by rapid breathing and confusion. As a result, divers often feel compelled to bolt to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/nitrogen-narcosis-susceptibility-factors\/#Narcosis-and-the-impact-of-CO2-retention\">CO2 narcosis is a physiological malady<\/a>, not a psychological state. Accordingly, it is not a situation where the victim can hope to apply diving stress management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The usual advice to &#8220;stop, think, and act&#8221; will not overcome the CO2.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, the immediate response must be to lower CO2 levels in the body. Breathe deeply, minimize exertion, and ascend in a controlled manner until the symptoms alleviate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"scuba-b4-h2-2\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 10px;\" id=\"scuba-2181902727\"><div class=\"scuba-adlabel\">Sponsored Link<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9354033900485448\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9354033900485448\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"2393012471\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"false\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scuba-diving-stress-management-and-comfort-zones\"><\/span>Scuba diving stress management and comfort zones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most diving students start training with a small comfort zone underwater. Subsequently, that comfort zone increases as they develop experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst the comfort zone remains small, even the most minor problems can trigger irrational self-preservation responses. When a threat to safety is perceived, the instinct is to flee to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is the job of a diving instructor to preserve the student&#8217;s safety until they gain sufficient comfort. As familiarity with the underwater environment increases, so will the diver&#8217;s stress management capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fast-track diving certification courses are the antithesis of this responsibility. They deliver insufficient practice time to develop comfort zones before divers are certified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-constitutes-a-diving-comfort-zone\"><\/span>What constitutes a diving comfort zone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A scuba diver&#8217;s comfort zone is determined based on their capability to deal with worst-case scenarios. Uneventful scuba divers are comfortable. Unexpected diving emergencies are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a scuba diver decides their comfort zone based only on successful dives, they are making a mistake. Diving at the limits of their comfort zone dictates that their comfort zone will be shockingly exceeded if anything goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consequently, a responsible scuba diving instructor will stress that concept in training. In doing so, they will ensure that diving students set their diving limits based on their confidence to deal with foreseeable problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, scuba diving stress management can only be as strong as the weakest link. A scuba diver&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-skill-development\/\">skill proficiency<\/a> is a critical link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/260377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Diving Psychology Book\" class=\"wp-image-26633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-96x150.jpg 96w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-657c50a43ae25a49a60702decc7f3380\"><strong>Purchase my exclusive ebook<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-black-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-35047a51b87e5b52b25f2e356c2323a2\"><strong>A comprehensive guide to the mindset and psychology of diving excellence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>$20 Printable PDF Format, 298 pages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-palette-color-8-color has-palette-color-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4e00374fe4a9bf0bd1234882df30bc4c\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/260377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purchase eBook HERE!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Diving-stress-management-Developing-resilience\"><\/span>Diving stress management: Developing r<strong>e<\/strong>silience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the scope of a diver&#8217;s comfort zone, there are natural variances in how they react to stress. Some people have a high level of stress resilience. Conversely, some people do not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stress resilience can be a trait that someone is born with. More often, it is a <strong>learned capacity<\/strong> that they develop during their life. It is learned through exposure; and the innate confidence which arises from successfully overcoming challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participating in contact sports is known to develop stress resilience. Likewise, arduous military service or working in an emergency responder role can develop a person&#8217;s response to extreme stressors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What matters is that the individual had stress exposure. They have to know they can deal with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst stress management can be taught academically in scuba training, it cannot be developed through theoretical learning. Ultimately, the diver needs exposure to stressors. Imagining one&#8217;s ability in an emergency is not realistic. You have to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"scuba-b4-h2-3\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 10px;\" id=\"scuba-72350301\"><div class=\"scuba-adlabel\">Sponsored Link<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9354033900485448\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9354033900485448\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"6151212517\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"false\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When-scuba-diving-stress-management-cannot-be-taught\"><\/span>When scuba diving stress management cannot  be taught<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No amount of scuba training can benefit a diver whose innate stress resilience is so low that they will instantaneously panic. A scuba diver needs, at a minimum, to retain enough presence of mind to consider if a solution is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-palette-color-8-background-color has-background\"><strong>A minimum level of stress resilience has to exist to be safe as a scuba diver.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Military, technical, and professional diving training typically includes stress resilience testing. In contrast, recreational diving training tends to focus on making students as comfortable as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, divers have no opportunity to develop diving stress management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I feel that it should be the responsibility of a diving instructor to teach students about their stress thresholds. How else will they understand their comfort levels and set limits in their diving? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Diving stress management cannot start until an individual knows what stresses them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/260377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Diving Psychology Book\" class=\"wp-image-26633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-96x150.jpg 96w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-657c50a43ae25a49a60702decc7f3380\"><strong>Purchase my exclusive ebook<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-black-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-35047a51b87e5b52b25f2e356c2323a2\"><strong>A comprehensive guide to the mindset and psychology of diving excellence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>$20 Printable PDF Format, 298 pages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-palette-color-8-color has-palette-color-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4e00374fe4a9bf0bd1234882df30bc4c\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/260377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purchase eBook HERE!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Developing-diving-stress-management\"><\/span>Developing diving stress management<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As I have already described, a diver&#8217;s stress management ability is determined by their innate stress resilience and their skill proficiency in resolving diving problems. As such, any training to develop diving stress management has to reflect those two factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Diving stress management cannot be learned academically. It is pointless to tell divers to &#8220;<em>stop, breathe, think, and act<\/em>&#8221; without actually developing their capacity to do so. Necessarily, stress management has to be learned as a practical skill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ingrained-emergency-responses\"><\/span>Ingrained emergency responses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Repeating an emergency skill once or twice during training shows that a diver understands that skill. However, it does not prove the diver will apply that skill in a real-life emergency at a later date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-palette-color-8-background-color has-background\"><strong>Practicing to get something right is not the same as practicing to never get it wrong.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To develop diving stress management during training, the scuba instructor must conduct ample repetitive <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-deliberate-practice\/\">deliberate practice<\/a>. In doing so, they will ingrain appropriate responses into a diver&#8217;s unconscious working memory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a consequence, the skill becomes programmed as their default response, rather than the fight-or-flight reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Put simply, enough repetitive practice re-wires the brain so that the trained response becomes instinctive. The natural panic response is overridden in that situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal is for a diver to react automatically with the correct procedure. When that happens, diving stress management essentially becomes irrelevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Emergency-problem-solving\"><\/span><strong>Emergency problem-solving<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, not every emergency has a predesigned response. Some situations are novel or require adaptation of existing responses. In these instances, stress management needs to occur as a prerequisite for problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this situation, the scuba diver will not have an immediate solution. Instead, they need to block off the fight-or-flight mechanism and retain their reasoning ability for long enough to design a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Diving-stress-management-is-self-belief\"><\/span>Diving stress management is self-belief<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As I have mentioned, learning mantras like &#8220;stop, think, act&#8221; is not particularly adept in achieving that. The diver has to have the reasoning ability to even remember the mantra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, the diver needs to ingrain confidence in their ability to problem-solve under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Diving stress management results from truly believing that you can get yourself out of trouble. When that occurs, there is no threat to your safety. Instead, there is only a solution to find. As a result, fear becomes perceived as a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The-need-for-challenge-and-realism-in-scuba-training\"><\/span>The need for challenge and realism in scuba training<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In scuba diver training, this capacity is only developed through challenging training. In turn, that requires realistic scenarios and drills that provide a controlled amount of stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, those training drills and scenarios must demand more than a textbook, pre-ordained, response. The scuba diver needs to make judgments and decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, they need to formulate a plan that involves multiple steps and necessitates evaluating their available resources. In this case, their learned skills become a toolset to be utilized, not the answer to a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A-blueprint-for-diver-stress-management-development-in-scuba-training\"><\/span>A blueprint for diver stress management development in scuba training<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The following steps can be incorporated by diving instructors who care about ensuring their student divers remain safe in future emergencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Assess-and-develop-diver-comfort-zones\"><\/span>Assess and develop diver comfort zones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, the dive instructor can develop diver comfort zones.&nbsp;They must evaluate students&#8217; behavior and performance when they are placed under a controlled amount of pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In turn, they should apply drills to remediate the weaknesses they observe. Finally, they should provide honest feedback to the student about their comfort limits. This is the opposite of what instructors commonly do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I have mentioned earlier, only seeking to increase student comfort during training leaves them vulnerable in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst it is great to have fun during scuba certification training, that cannot be the sole intent. If training is only fun, diving stress management cannot be taught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Develop-skills-as-instinctive-automated-responses\"><\/span>Develop skills as instinctive automated responses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondly, the scuba instructor can provide divers with effective procedures and ingrain them into working memory with repetitive <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-diving-deliberate-practice\/\">deliberate practice<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Train divers beyond merely getting it right; practice until they cannot get it wrong.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enable-problem-solving-under-stress\"><\/span>Enable problem-solving under stress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Thirdly, a diving instructors can&nbsp;develop their students&#8217; capacity to plan and implement resolutions to non-standard problems. This can be achieved through scenario-based training that requires resource management and the combination of existing skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Helping-divers-understand-their-limits\"><\/span>Helping divers understand their limits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fourth, the scuba diving instructor can help a student gain more awareness of their psychological stress thresholds. The aim is to help students develop a realistic and self-honest honest appreciation of their proficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In turn, this allows divers to set realistic limits on their dives. Most importantly, it stops them from assuming their competency is based on completing uneventful dives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Be-a-gatekeeper-for-diver-safety\"><\/span>Be a gatekeeper for diver safety<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, a diving instructor should be prepared to not issue scuba certifications when the student is not yet ready for that level of diving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Readiness has to be assessed in terms of a student&#8217;s proficiency and diving stress management. In that respect, even flawless skill performance should be discounted if the student exhibits poor stress reactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An instructor must cultivate the confidence and integrity to say &#8220;no&#8221; when it is in the student&#8217;s best safety interest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Always remember that students pay for training, but they have to earn certification.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"scuba-b4-h2-4\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 10px;\" id=\"scuba-512958950\"><div class=\"scuba-adlabel\">Sponsored Link<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9354033900485448\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9354033900485448\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"2954736365\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"false\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Start-improving-your-diving-stress-management-today\"><\/span>Start improving your diving stress management today<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, scuba diving can be an incredibly blissful activity, but as with any adventure, it comes with <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/risks-of-scuba-diving\/\">risks<\/a>. While rare, emergencies can and do happen in the world of diving, and a diver&#8217;s survival will depend on their ability to respond calmly and effectively under stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a technical instructor with three decades of <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/what-is-diving-experience-diving-expertise\/\">diving experience<\/a>, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of diving stress management when it comes to keeping people safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, I understand that with the right training and preparation, divers can effectively develop effective stress management skills. In doing so, they respond successfully to even the most challenging underwater emergencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So whether you&#8217;re a seasoned dive pro dedicated to helping their students or a new scuba diver who is just starting out, take the time to invest in your diving stress management skills &#8211; lives may depend on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gas-Management-For-Scuba-Divers\"><\/span><strong>Gas Management For Scuba Divers<\/strong> <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-96x150.jpg 96w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);\">The comprehensive, illustrated, metric guide to advanced <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/scuba-gas-planning-management-divers\/\">gas planning<\/a> and management for safer scuba diving. <strong>Only $9!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><em> 60 Pages. <\/em>Printable PDF format. Fully Illustrated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.313), 18px);\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/233191\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gas Management For Scuba Divers eBook Download<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Diving-Stress-Management-References\"><\/span>Diving Stress Management References:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Griffiths TJ, Steel DH, Vaccaro P. <strong>Anxiety levels of beginning scuba students<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>Percept Mot Skills.&nbsp;<\/em>1978;47:312\u20134.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/704257\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PubMed<\/a>]&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=Percept+Mot+Skills&amp;title=Anxiety+levels+of+beginning+scuba+students&amp;author=TJ+Griffiths&amp;author=DH+Steel&amp;author=P+Vaccaro&amp;volume=47&amp;publication_year=1978&amp;pages=312-4&amp;pmid=704257&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Biersner RL, La Rocco JM. <strong>Personality and demographic variables related to individual responsiveness to diving stress<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>Undersea Biomed Res.&nbsp;<\/em>1987;14:67\u201373.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/3810994\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PubMed<\/a>]&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=Undersea+Biomed+Res&amp;title=Personality+and+demographic+variables+related+to+individual+responsiveness+to+diving+stress&amp;author=RL+Biersner&amp;author=JM+La+Rocco&amp;volume=14&amp;publication_year=1987&amp;pages=67-73&amp;pmid=3810994&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Griffiths TJ, Steel DH, Vaccaro P, Allen R, Karpman M. <strong>The effects of relaxation and cognitive rehearsal on the anxiety levels and performance of scuba students<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>Int J Sport Psychol.&nbsp;<\/em>1985;16:113\u20139.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=Int+J+Sport+Psychol&amp;title=The+effects+of+relaxation+and+cognitive+rehearsal+on+the+anxiety+levels+and+performance+of+scuba+students&amp;author=TJ+Griffiths&amp;author=DH+Steel&amp;author=P+Vaccaro&amp;author=R+Allen&amp;author=M+Karpman&amp;volume=16&amp;publication_year=1985&amp;pages=113-9&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Morgan WP, Raglin JS, OConnor PJ. <strong>Trait anxiety predicts panic behaviour in beginning scuba students<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>Int J Sports Med<\/em>. 2004;&nbsp;25: 314- 22. [<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15162252\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PubMed<\/a>]&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=Int+J+Sports+Med&amp;title=Trait+anxiety+predicts+panic+behaviour+in+beginning+scuba+students&amp;author=WP+Morgan&amp;author=JS+Raglin&amp;author=PJ+OConnor&amp;volume=25&amp;publication_year=2004&amp;pages=314-22&amp;pmid=15162252&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Colvard DF.&nbsp;<strong>Identifying anxiety and panic risk in divers. DAN-SA diver stress and panic prevention Workshop<\/strong>. 2007 September 27. Johannesburg, South Africa: [cited 2017 September 16]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.divepsych.com\/articles-by-dr-colvard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a>[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?title=Identifying+anxiety+and+panic+risk+in+divers.+DAN-SA+diver+stress+and+panic+prevention+Workshop&amp;author=DF+Colvard&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raglin S, Stegner J. .&nbsp;<strong>Psychobiological aspects of panic in SCBA and SCUBA<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology<\/em>. 2005;&nbsp;4: 446- 54.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=International+Journal+of+Sport+and+Exercise+Psychology&amp;title=Psychobiological+aspects+of+panic+in+SCBA+and+SCUBA&amp;author=S+Raglin&amp;author=J+Stegner&amp;volume=4&amp;publication_year=2005&amp;pages=446-54&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mears JD, Cleary PJ. <strong>Anxiety as a factor in underwater performance<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>Ergonomics<\/em>. 1980;&nbsp;23: 549- 57. [<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/7202399\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PubMed<\/a>]&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=Ergonomics&amp;title=Anxiety+as+a+factor+in+underwater+performance&amp;author=JD+Mears&amp;author=PJ+Cleary&amp;volume=23&amp;publication_year=1980&amp;pages=549-57&amp;pmid=7202399&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Morgan WP.&nbsp;<strong>Anxiety and panic in recreational scuba divers<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>Sports Med<\/em>. 1995;&nbsp;20: 398- 421. [<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/8614760\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PubMed<\/a>]&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=Sports+Med&amp;title=Anxiety+and+panic+in+recreational+scuba+divers&amp;author=WP+Morgan&amp;volume=20&amp;publication_year=1995&amp;pages=398-421&amp;pmid=8614760&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bachrach AJ, Egstrom GH, editors.&nbsp;<strong>Stress and performance in diving<\/strong>. San Pedro, Ca: Best Publishing Company; 1987.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?title=Stress+and+performance+in+diving&amp;author=AJ+Bachrach&amp;author=GH+Egstrom&amp;publication_year=1987&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Colvard DF, Colvard LY. <strong>A study of panic in recreational scuba divers<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>The Undersea Journal<\/em>. 2003;&nbsp;Q1: 40- 4.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=The+Undersea+Journal&amp;title=A+study+of+panic+in+recreational+scuba+divers&amp;author=DF+Colvard&amp;author=LY+Colvard&amp;volume=Q1&amp;publication_year=2003&amp;pages=40-4&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Griffiths TJ, Steel DH, Vaccaro P, Karpman MB.<strong> The effects of relaxation techniques on anxiety and underwater performance<\/strong>.&nbsp;<em>Int J Sport Psychol<\/em>. 1981;&nbsp;12: 176- 82.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_lookup?journal=Int+J+Sport+Psychol&amp;title=The+effects+of+relaxation+techniques+on+anxiety+and+underwater+performance&amp;author=TJ+Griffiths&amp;author=DH+Steel&amp;author=P+Vaccaro&amp;author=MB+Karpman&amp;volume=12&amp;publication_year=1981&amp;pages=176-82&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Scholar<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium is-resized is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/andy-davis-technical-diving\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cartoon-Andy-900x900-1-300x296.png\" alt=\"Andy Davis Technical Sidemount Wreck Diving Subic Bay Philippines RAID Courses Training\" class=\"wp-image-6812\" style=\"width:225px;height:222px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cartoon-Andy-900x900-1-300x296.png 300w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cartoon-Andy-900x900-1-1024x1009.png 1024w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cartoon-Andy-900x900-1-768x757.png 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cartoon-Andy-900x900-1.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-constrained wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About-The-Author\"><\/span>About The Author<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"274\" height=\"77\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bmc-button-1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bmc-button-1-1.png 274w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bmc-button-1-1-250x70.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 274px) 100vw, 274px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/andy-davis-technical-diving\/\">Andy Davis<\/a> is a <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/raid-diving-courses-philippines\/raid\/\">RAID<\/a>, PADI TecRec, ANDI, BSAC, and SSI-qualified independent technical diving instructor who specializes in teaching <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/sidemount-courses\/\">sidemount<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/technical-diving-courses\/\">trimix<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/technical-diving-courses\/\">advanced wreck<\/a> diving courses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently residing in <a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/subic-bay-wreck-diving-sites\/\">Subic Bay, Philippines<\/a>; he has amassed more than 10,000 open-circuit and CCR dives over three decades of challenging diving across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/andy-davis-technical-diving\/\">Andy<\/a> has published numerous diving magazine articles and designed advanced certification courses for several dive training agencies, He regularly tests and reviews new dive gear for scuba equipment manufacturers. Andy is currently writing a series of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/extras\">advanced diving books <\/a>and creating a range of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redbubble.com\/people\/andydavistech\/shop\">tech diving clothing and accessories<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to becoming a professional technical diving educator in 2006, Andy was a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force and has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Belize, and Cyprus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, Andy was named in the &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/gue.com\/blog\/sidemount-andy-davies\/\" target=\"_blank\">Who&#8217;s Who of Sidemount<\/a>&#8221; list by GUE InDepth Magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-palette-color-7-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-dd81a6de961563c5bf17302e4376cbd2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Purchase-my-exclusive-diving-ebooks\"><\/span>Purchase my exclusive diving ebooks!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/233191\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Gas Management For Scuba Divers Book\" class=\"wp-image-26264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image-96x150.jpg 96w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gas-Management-Book-Cover-Image.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/233171\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Shearwater-Gradient-Factors-ebook-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Become A Shearwater Power User Book\" class=\"wp-image-26382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Shearwater-Gradient-Factors-ebook-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Shearwater-Gradient-Factors-ebook-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Shearwater-Gradient-Factors-ebook-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Shearwater-Gradient-Factors-ebook-978x1536.jpg 978w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Shearwater-Gradient-Factors-ebook-95x150.jpg 95w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Shearwater-Gradient-Factors-ebook.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/111242\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COVER-IMAGE-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COVER-IMAGE-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COVER-IMAGE-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COVER-IMAGE-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COVER-IMAGE-96x150.jpg 96w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COVER-IMAGE.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/262907\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BPW-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A Comprehensive Guide to Backplate &amp; Wing BCDs\" class=\"wp-image-26808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BPW-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BPW-Book-Cover-Image-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BPW-Book-Cover-Image-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BPW-Book-Cover-Image-96x150.jpg 96w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BPW-Book-Cover-Image.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/andydavistech\/e\/260377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Diving Psychology The Path to Proficiency: Mental Strategies for Scuba Divers (eBook)\" class=\"wp-image-26633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-652x1024.jpg 652w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-768x1206.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image-96x150.jpg 96w, https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-Path-To-Proficiency-Book-Cover-Image.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n<p id=\"rop\"><small>Originally posted 2018-03-07 23:57:03. <\/small><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A realistic examination of scuba diving stress management. 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