Rebreather World - View Single Post - Stress -- Handling Survival

**UWSojourner** · 27th March 2008, 03:05

Since we're on a roll with regard to mortality issues ...

I just watched a combat GI describe issues related to survival. What caught my attention was that he said, "I guess I was just one of those who could handle the stress." Some, evidently, went into panic and were unable to function. Some were able to focus on the job, even though their life was threatened.

Question for instructors or divers experienced enough to comment: Is there any way to tell the difference? If a CO2 hit, or caustic cocktail, or ANY extraordinary event occurs during a dive, is there ANY predictable characteristic of a diver that can help weed out those that will respond correctly (or at all) vs. those those that will freeze or panic?

I'm not saying all who perished froze! I'm just wondering whether certain training might identify those less able to respond to stress, and whether the current training is helpful at such identification.

27th March 2008, 03:05	#1 (permalink)
UWSojourner Pacific Northwest Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 556	Stress -- Handling Survival Since we're on a roll with regard to mortality issues ... I just watched a combat GI describe issues related to survival. What caught my attention was that he said, "I guess I was just one of those who could handle the stress." Some, evidently, went into panic and were unable to function. Some were able to focus on the job, even though their life was threatened. Question for instructors or divers experienced enough to comment: Is there any way to tell the difference? If a CO2 hit, or caustic cocktail, or ANY extraordinary event occurs during a dive, is there ANY predictable characteristic of a diver that can help weed out those that will respond correctly (or at all) vs. those those that will freeze or panic? I'm not saying all who perished froze! I'm just wondering whether certain training might identify those less able to respond to stress, and whether the current training is helpful at such identification.
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