SAFETY continued
this before”) or denial (“It will go away”). Such responses are reinforced by prior experiences in which minor discomfort may have resolved spontaneously.
medical consultation. These, and other, factors can lead to a “wait-and-see” approach, delaying definitive care.
Diving culture can unintentionally discourage symptom reporting. Group dynamics may lead divers to avoid “ru- ining” a dive itinerary, suppress concerns to align with perceived group norms or equate reporting symptoms with inex- perience or the perceived stigma of Factors such as individual physiol- ogy, hydration status, thermal stress, workload, and environmental con- ditions all play a role. When divers associate symptoms with “failure,” they are less likely to report them. Dive leaders must actively dismantle this misconception. What matters most is recognizing and reporting anything out of the ordinary early. In some cases, mild symptoms may temporarily improve without hyperbaric treatment. This transient resolution can reinforce a false sense of security, even as the underlying cause of the symptoms persists. Symptoms may reappear often re- sulting in a more serious outcome. (Note: Transient resolution of symp- toms may occur during emergency oxygen first aid. A diver with symp- toms must still seek medical care as the symptoms could reoccur po- tentially reducing the likelihood of a complete recovery). Promoting a culture of diving
Instructors and dive leaders should foster an environment in which reporting symptoms is expected and supported, not stigmatized.
In a previous article in Scuba Diving Industry Magazine, “The Normalization of Deviance” (April 2024), it pointed out that when divers normalize shortcuts over time, the potential for a negative outcome increases. The normalizing phi- of evolving neurological DCS or early Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE), where initial symptoms may be subtle, but progression can be rapid and severe. Concerns about the implications of reporting symptoms may also dis- courage timely reporting. These con- cerns may include the possible in- terruption or termination of a dive trip resulting in loss of diving op- portunities, the potential of financial loss associated with travel or charter operations, the temporary or per- manent restriction from diving or professional repercussions for dive leaders or instructors. Such factors can create a powerful disincentive to seek evaluation, particularly in remote diving locations. Although all entry-level diver train- ing addresses diving injuries, retention and depth of understanding may be insufficient. Divers may not fully appreciate the broad spectrum of DCS symptoms, the potential severity
losophy in this case “that I’ve had symptoms like this in the past that went away” is particularly hazardous in the context
having “made a mistake.” It should be remembered that divers can do everything right and still develop symptoms.
of seemingly minor symptoms or the benefits of early first air or recompression therapy. Even experienced divers may fail to recognize vague symptoms of a pressure-related diving injury. Symptoms, especially in the case of decompression sickness, that develop hours after surfacing are less likely to be imme- diately linked to diving. This is especially problematic when divers are in transit (for example, during flights or long drives home), are in remote locations with limited medical infrastructure or where there may not be direct access to
safety requires actively countering these perceptions through leadership, training and the understanding that just because you have symptoms of a diving injury does not mean you did something wrong. The real “wrong” comes from not ad- mitting there is an issue and not reporting it in a timely fashion. Important concepts in developing a diving safety culture where we feel free to report any symptoms following a scuba dive include emphasizing symptom awareness. Diver training programs should reinforce that any unusual symptom PAGE NINE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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