List of Diving Hazards and Precautions - Pre-existing Physiological and Psychological Conditions in The Diver

Pre-existing Physiological and Psychological Conditions in The Diver

Hazard Consequences Cause Avoidance and prevention
Heart disease
  • Heart attack, with high risk of death as direct consequence, or by drowning as indirect consequence.
  • Angina with severe pain and severely reduced physical strength and endurance, and reduced situational awareness, which increase the risk of further deterioration of the incident
 Exertion beyond the capacity of the unhealthy heart.
  • Periodical medical examination for diving fitness.
  • Stress ECG when indicated by medical examination.
  • Maintaining good cardio-vascular fitness.
  • Use of Nitrox may decrease risk.
Epilepsy Loss of consciousness and inability to remain alert and actively control activity. Likely to lead to drowning in Scuba divers. Epileptic seizure. Divers with a history of epilepsy are generally considered unfit for diving due to the unacceptable risk associated with an underwater seizure.
Diabetes (to be added) (to be added) (to be added)
Asthma Difficulty in breathing, particularly difficulty in exhaling adequately during ascent, with reduced physical work capacity, can seriously reduce ability to cope with a relatively minor difficulty and precipitate an emergency. constriction of lung passages, increasing work of breathing. (to be added)
Trait anxiety Panic, and associated sub-optimal coping behaviour. Higher susceptibility to panic under high stress
  • Overlearning of critical skills.
  • Avoidance of high stress dive plans.
Dehydration
  • Increased risk of decompression sickness
  • Muscular cramps
  • Overheating and sweating before dive.
  • Drinking diuretic beverages before diving.
  • Immersion effects of diving.
  • Ensure adequate hydration before diving.
  • Rehydrate during dives if they are several hours long.
  • Rehydrate after dives.
Fatigue Reduced situational awareness, reduced ability to respond appropriately to emergencies Lack of sleep, excessive exertion prior to dive. To be added
Compromised physical fitness
  • Reduced ability to respond effectively to emergencies
  • Muscular cramps
 Illness, lifestyle, lack of exercise. Training and exercise, particularly swimming and finning exercise using diving equipment

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