The psychological impact of accidents on recreational divers: A prospective study
Received 16 May 2008; received in revised form 18 April 2009; accepted 15 May 2009. published online 21 July 2009.
Abstract
Objective
The present study aimed to examine the medium and long term psychological impact of diving accidents on the victims (n=52), compared with the impact on two control groups: the victim's diving “buddy” (n=40) who simply witnessed the accident, and a second control from the same boat who did not dive with the victim (n=38).
Methods
This was a prospective cohort study of the impact of an accident on the victims who attended the Hyperbaric Unit, in comparison with the two control groups. Pre-accident psychological morbidity was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire. Trauma symptoms were assessed using the Revised Impact of Events Scale at 3, 6 and 12 months post accident.
Results
The accident victims endorsed more trauma symptoms and experienced them more intensely and for longer, compared with the two control groups.
Conclusion
A significant minority of diving accident victims (between 25% and 50%) continued to suffer from the psychological impact of the accident, some for over a year. This has important implications for their future health care, for their safety on subsequent dives, and for dive training.
ABSTRACT