Stress and Panic

Panic Kills

Objectives

• Compare the two types of stress.

• Describe the 3 primary factors that determine an individual's reaction to a stressful situation.

• Give examples of causes of stress and possible responses.

• List and describe 5 steps in stress management.

Physiological Stress

•Undesirable interaction between the diver and the environment

•Caused by – Some physical stimulus

Stimulus• Rough Conditions

• Cold• Fatigue

• Equipment• Kelp

Response• Fatigue, motion

sickness• Hypothermia, Fatigue• Cramps, Air

starvation• Overexertion,

Hypothermia• Entanglement,

Fatigue

Unrecognized physiological stress can lead to psychological stress.

Psychological Stress

Undesirable emotional reaction to physical stress or to one's own beliefs and attitudes.

• The stimulus can be real or imaginary.– end result = stress.– If they believe it is real they will react as if it real!

• The severity of the reaction depends on– Strength of the beliefs– Circumstances– Individuals reaction to the stimulus

• Trait anxiety• State anxiety

Contributing Factors

• Peer pressure• Ego• Travel• Inexperience (activity or site) • Long layoff• Gear discomfort (emotional, unfamiliar with gear)• Limited vis.• Weak water skills

Signs of Psychological Stress

• Change in personality

• Idea fixation

• Pale

• Withdrawn

• Nervous laughter

• Irritable

• Fixation with minor gear problems

Stress Management

• Advance Visualization Anticipate and be prepared.• Prevention Observe and interact. • ID and Solve Problems Give solutions not problems.

Avoid negative words.• Assist in Decision No undue encouragement or

pressure.• Stop, Think, Act Have a plan ready to put into

action! • Control Breathing

– Deep/Slow abdominal breathing has a calming effect on the diver as well as the rescuer.

• Stress that is unrecognized or unresolved can lead to

PANIC!!!!!!!

Panic

• A sudden unreasoning hysterical fear

• Studies show that panic has killed many divers even in cases where the stimulus was relatively minor.

Objectives• Identify the causes and signs of panic.• Track the physiological development of

panic.• Compare the two types of panic.• List and describe the three steps in panic

prevention• Discuss techniques for controlling a panic

situation.• Compare the responses of a stressed vs.

a panicked diver.

Causes

• Environmental

• Physiological

• Psychological

• One extremely stressful situation

• A series of small stimuli may snowball.

The onset of panic may be sudden or very gradual.

Signs of Panic

• The initial signs may subtle such as altered breathing.

• Big eyes

• Jerky/thrashing movements

• Idea fixation

• Inappropriate responses– Including no response when one is called for.

• High treading

• Pale face

Physiology of Panic:

• Adrenaline rush

• Panting

• Loss of buoyancy

• Fatigue leading to exhaustion

• Perceptual narrowing/tunnel vision

PANIC either active or passive

Passive Panic • The diver withdraws to the point of

becoming catatonic. • The diver is unable to provide self-rescue.• The diver is unable to assist the rescuer.

Active Panic• The diver goes crazy and may become

physically uncontrollable• The diver does not respond to

directions/commands from the rescuer

Prevention• Control breathing• Relaxation• Dive within limits of training and

experience• Keep your skills and knowledge current• Maintain an appropriate level of physical

fitness.• Broaden your dive experiences in a

controlled manner and in reasonable increments.

Control Techniques

• Stop activity

• Control breathing

• Solve the problem

• Establish appropriate buoyancy

• Rest (longer than you think is necessary)

Panicked Diver vs. Stressed Diver• Panicked Diver: May be either completely

unresponsive or likely to grab anyone or anything for support

• Stressed Diver: May be capable of rational behavior and respond to simple commands, or may be unresponsive, or may grab anyone or anything.

• When assisting any diver in distress, always be prepared for the diver to go in to active panic. Be ready and willing to release the diver and swim away until you feel it is appropriate for you to once again approach the diver. s

• Panic is one of the worst things that can happen to diver.

• It is our job to recognize the onset of panic or to help the diver recognize the onset of panic and take action to prevent it from occuring.