If you have ever experienced a panic attack while scuba diving, you know how terrifying it can be. Panic attacks can be fatal. It can result in you holding your breath, hyperventilating, and squandering your air supply. In the process, your visibility will decline and you'll likely do stupid things like make silly decisions. Worse, your life could be endangered if you are submerged in water for ten to fifty feet.
Scuba diving panic attack treatment
Understanding panic attacks while scuba diving is important. Panic can cause injury because the diver cannot think clearly and is unable control their actions. They are focused on getting to the surface and their actions can be unpredictable and dangerous. Panic is a physiological response to severe stress, and it impairs the ability to control a person's actions and pay attention to the environment. This can lead you to dangerous behaviors and can even cause death.
There are many things that can be done once panic attacks start to subside. Divers should be alert to their surroundings and learn how to communicate with each other.
Signs of panic attack scuba diving
You can check if your buddy is calm and relaxed when you're scuba diving. It could be an indication of panic if your buddy stares blankly at you and can't make eye contact. If your diver is having panic attacks, you should ask him/her for help.
Calming down and reassuring panicked divers is essential. He or she must avoid bolting over the side of the dive, as this may further agitate the situation and endanger the diver. It's also important to avoid triggering the attack by latching on to him or her. This could cause the diver to lose control of their air supply and become immobile. If you're unable to calm your diver, please keep your distance and make every effort to get him/her out of the water quickly.
Divers can experience panic attacks while diving. There are many possible causes. If a diver is sensitive to caffeine or alcohol, panic attacks can occur. Also, drinking caffeine or alcohol can increase the chance of suffering panic attacks so it is important that you limit your intake before diving.
These observations will distract you from worrying about panic attack scuba diving
You can distract yourself from panic attacks by using observations. Panic attacks can cause rapid breathing and an increase in carbon dioxide levels. Your brain responds quickly to an increase of carbon dioxide by emitting stress hormones. This signaling your heart, lungs and heart to work harder. But this can also deplete your oxygen supply. If panic attacks start, do what you can to stop them.
Once you are aware that panic attacks may be approaching, it is worth focusing on familiar sensations, such water on the skin or the dive watches. If possible, swim shallower or ascend at a slow, safe rate. This can help you push through the panic and continue the dive.