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Can psychological strategies be used to reduce risk levels? |
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Apparently not. Interventions such as biofeedback, hypnosis, imagery and relaxation that are used in an effort to reduce anxiety responses in scuba divers exposed to various stressors have not been effective. Research has shown, for example, that hypnosis is effective in relaxing scuba divers, but it can also have the undesired effect of increasing heat loss in divers. Relaxation can lead to increased anxiety and panic attacks in some "high anxious" individuals (this phenomenon is known as relaxation-induced-anxiety, or RIA). Individuals with a history of high anxiety and panic episodes should probably be identified and counseled during scuba training classes about the potential risks. |
