KOTA KINABALU: Scuba divers are urged to be mindful of their mental state during deep dives, says medical adviser Col Dr Eugene Tan Choon Li.
"There is a need (for divers) to know and understand how depth affects our mental status," he told 14 members of the Sabah Dive Squad Club here on Tuesday (Jan 13).
The divers experienced being in a state-of-the-art hyperbaric chamber at the Regional Armed Forces Hospital in the Sepanggar naval base here for about 40 minutes.
They spent a brief period at the maximum simulated depth of 40m.
"Seasoned divers must play a role in educating others about the dangers of deep dives.
"We should be informing people of the risks involved," Dr Tan added.
At simulated depths of 30m and 40m, the visitors – led by club president Sim Fui – were tested with questions from the hospital's First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal to demonstrate how a person's mental state could be altered during a deep dive.
The entourage was also briefed on other complications related to scuba diving, such as decompression sickness and barotrauma, or physical injury from pressure changes.
Dr Tan, who is the hospital's internal medicine expert, said the million-ringgit hyperbaric chamber could help reverse diving medical emergencies and other conditions, including skin injuries and infections, carbon monoxide poisoning, severe anaemia and sudden hearing loss.
Sim said the rare opportunity provided the divers with awareness that is essential in preventing accidents and ensuring long-term enjoyment of the sport.
"This practical exposure provided invaluable insights that cannot be obtained through theory alone.
"More importantly, it reinforced the critical importance of safety, discipline, and sound judgment in recreational diving.
"This visit strongly reminded us that while we may dive with passion and emotion, we must always dive with rational thinking and respect for our personal limits," he said.
