Recognizing and Managing Stress: Becoming the Perceptive Dive Buddy

In the previous article on Self-Rescue, we focused on managing ourselves. Now, we expand our awareness outward. A sobering fact in the diving community is that most accidents are preventable, and they often stem from a single factor: uncontrolled stress.

As a Rescue Diver, your role isn’t just to act in a crisis, but to stop a crisis from ever happening. This in-depth article from Amadive, part of our series on the Rescue Diver course, will equip you with the knowledge to spot the earliest signs of stress and the techniques to intervene effectively, long before a small problem escalates.

 

The Root Causes of Stress Underwater

To solve a problem, we must first understand it. Stress in diving can come from two primary sources:

• Physical Stressors:
  • Environment: Water that is too cold or too warm, strong currents, poor visibility.
  • Equipment: A perpetually leaking mask, a regulator that breathes a bit “hard,” or a wetsuit that feels too tight.
  • Physiological: Fatigue, dehydration, seasickness, or an underlying medical issue.
• Psychological Stressors:
  • Inexperience: Anxiety about a dive that is deeper or more complex than what they are used to.
  • Peer Pressure: Feeling pressured to keep up with a more experienced dive group.
  • Personal Issues: Worries from life on the surface can be amplified underwater.

 

The Stress Continuum: From Anxious to Panic

It’s critical to realize that stress isn’t an on/off switch. It’s a scale, and your ability to intervene depends on where you recognize it.

 

Phase 1: Minor Stress (Anxiety)

• Signs: The diver might swim a bit faster, breathe shallowly, or constantly fiddle with their gear (adjusting mask, checking gauges). They are still capable of thought and response.
• This is the GOLDEN phase for intervention.

 

Phase 2: Severe Stress (Losing Control)

• Signs: Wide, unblinking eyes (“deer in the headlights”). Breathing is very rapid and inefficient. Movements become jerky and pointless. They may ignore your hand signals.
• Intervention here requires calm assertiveness.

 

Phase 3: Panic

• Signs: The diver has lost all rational thought. The “fight-or-flight” response has taken over. They may spit out their regulator, bolt for the surface, or thrash violently.
• This is a dangerous, full-blown rescue situation.

 

Intervention Techniques: 4 Steps to De-escalate Stress

When you notice a buddy showing signs of stress (ideally in Phase 1), follow these steps:

1. Approach and Establish Contact:
   • Get close to them, at the same depth or slightly below.
   • Signal to get their attention.
   • Establish eye contact. Show them a calm face and signal “OK?”.
2. Encourage Controlled Breathing:
   • Use a simple hand signal to ask them to “slow down.” You can model this yourself by exhaling long, slow streams of bubbles.
3. Assist in Solving the Root Problem:
   • Once they’ve calmed slightly, use simple signals to ask what the problem is. “Mask?”, “Ears?”, “Cold?”.
   • Help them fix that specific issue. For example, assist them in adjusting their mask strap.
4. Make a Decision: Continue or Terminate the Dive?
   • If the problem is solved and the diver is completely calm, you may be able to continue the dive cautiously.
   • If they are still anxious or the problem cannot be solved underwater, make the safe choice: end the dive. Signal “go up” and ascend together under control.

Real-World Scenario: You notice your buddy repeatedly pulling at the bottom of their mask. You swim over and signal “OK?”. They shake their head and point to the mask. You signal for them to stop and breathe slowly. Then, you help them clear the water from their mask. They signal “OK,” and you both continue. You just prevented a minor annoyance from becoming a source of stress.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

• How do I tell the difference between someone who is just busy and someone who is stressed?
  • Look for a change from their normal behavior. A diver who is normally slow and relaxed suddenly swimming fast, or a talkative diver who goes silent, are noteworthy signs.
• Should I intervene even if I’m not 100% sure they’re stressed?
  • Absolutely. It is far better to ask “Are you OK?” unnecessarily than to ignore a sign and let it get worse.

 

Conclusion: The Silent Observer

Becoming a Rescue Diver means becoming a perceptive observer. By understanding the causes and signs of stress, you can act as a safety valve, releasing the pressure for your buddy before it reaches a dangerous level. It’s a skill you hope you never have to use, but when you do, it might just be the most important one you have.

Important Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. These skills must be learned and practiced under the direct supervision of a certified PADI Instructor during a Rescue Diver course.

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