What effect does anxiety have on a diver's situational awareness?

Anxiety significantly impacts a diver's situational awareness by decreasing their ability to perceive and react to their environment effectively. When a diver experiences anxiety, their cognitive resources are often overwhelmed by stress and fear. This can lead to a narrowed focus, where they become fixated on their internal feelings rather than on the external situation. As a result, important cues in their surroundings may go unnoticed, leading to increased errors in judgment and decision-making.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for divers because heightened anxiety can impair their ability to recognize potential hazards or respond appropriately to unexpected situations. Therefore, maintaining a calm and composed mindset is vital for optimizing situational awareness and safe diving practices.