ICPS
2019 International Convention of Psychological Science · 2019
Memory and Attention While Scuba Diving at Shallow and Deep Depths: An Open Water Study
- Leanne Boucher
Nova Southeastern University - W. Matthew Collins
Nova Southeastern University - Joshua Feingold
Nova Southeastern University - Jaime Tartar
Nova Southeastern University - Kelly Concannon
Nova Southeastern University - Stephanie Talavera
Nova Southeastern University - Anastasia Zwenger
Nova Southeastern University
Abstract
Many SCUBA divers report changes in their cognitive functioning as dive depths exceed 18m, most likely due to the narcotic effect of breathing the inert gas nitrogen at high partial pressures. We found that SCUBA divers exhibited poorer memory and attentional control and higher cortisol levels as dive depth increased.
Memory