Transcript Stress and Panic

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
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• Cold
• Fatigue
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• Equipment
• Kelp
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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
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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
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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Withdrawn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
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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.