Disclaimer: The content of this website, and any services contained therein, is not intended to, and does not, provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any communication with the physician through this website does not establish a physician-patient relationship.
"A Shrink Studies Scuba"
These articles by Dr. Colvard originally appeared in The Bonaire Reporter. Used with permission.
Nasal Irrigation Helps Divers Clear Ears Bonaire Reporter - April 13, 2007, p. 9
Easter Symbols Underwater Bonaire Reporter - April 5, 2007, p. 14
Claustrophobic Student Diver Bonaire Reporter - March 23, 2007, p. 15 & 17
Treating Traumatized Divers Bonaire Reporter - March 16, 2007, p. 18
Phobias in Scuba Diving Bonaire Reporter - March 9, 2007, p. 18
Relative Risk of Panic on Bonaire Bonaire Reporter - March 1, 2007, p. 10
Relative Risk of Panic During Dive - 2000 Survey Bonaire Reporter - February 16, 2007, p. 18
Obesity and Diving Bonaire Reporter - February 9, 2007, p. 18
Decompression Symptoms and Obesity in 2003 Bonaire Reporter - February 2, 2007, p. 18
Body Mass Index in Divers in 2003 Bonaire Reporter - January 19, 2007, p. 7
Diver Response to First Dive Panic Experience - 2000 Survey Bonaire Reporter - January 12, 2007, p. 8
How Do Divers Equalize? Bonaire Reporter - January 5, 2007, p. 7
Why Did Divers Cancel Dives in 2003? Bonaire Reporter - December 29, 2006, p. 9
No Foot, No Problem Bonaire Reporter - February 17, 2006, pp. 9 & 13
"Show Me the Numbers"
Medical Reasons Scuba Divers Cancelled Dives in 2003
The above chart is from an online survey conducted by Dr. Colvard and completed by 1,982 divers in early 2004. It shows the conditions sited by 383 divers who cancelled dives in 2003 for medical reasons.© Copyright 2000-2006 David F Colvard, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
Articles quoting or referencing Dr. Colvard.
Equalize Every Time by Selene Yeager - April 2007, pp. 83-86
Diving with Depression by Selene Yeager - March 2007, pp. 87-89
Stop the Dive Wreckers (Ear pain) by Selene Yeager - December 2006, pp. 85-92
Truths and Consequences (Sex, Farts, Exercise & DCS) by Selene Yeager - November 2006, pp. 83-85
Battle of the Sexes (Gender & Anxiety) by Selene Yeager - April 2006, pp. 89-91
Never Panic Again by Selene Yeager - August 2005, pp. 97-100
Grace Under Pressure (Panic) by Selene Yeager - November 2003, pp. 101-102
Time for a Cool Change - Preliminary Results by David Taylor - May 2001, p. 2
New Safety Survey - Your Chance to Make History by David Taylor - October 2000, pp. 39-40
Publication - A Study of Panic in Recreational Scuba Divers (PDF download) (co-authored with Lynn Y. Colvard) The Undersea Journal (First Quarter 2003)
Poster - Examination of Panic in 12,087 Recreational Scuba Divers (PowerPoint) (co-investigator Lynn Y. Colvard) UHMS Scientific Meeting (June 2002)
© Copyright 2000-2006 David F Colvard, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
n PANIC = State of the diver n+ Stressor(s) n+ Impaired functioning n+ Unforeseen event(s)
BACHRACH & EGSTROM in Stress and Performance in Diving (1987, p.25)
Here's an excellent example of this sequence:
"Sherman's Lagoon" by Jim Toomey © 1999 Jim Toomey. Used with permission from the artist.
Disclaimer: The content of this website, and any services contained therein, is not intended to, and does not, provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any communication with the physician through this website does not establish a physician-patient relationship.
Stress and Panic Management for Divers:
Training Exercises for Controlling Diver Stress & Panic*
Part 1: The Causes and Symptoms of Diver Stress - (reproduced with permission of Tom Griffiths, Ed.D.)
Part 2: The Calming Breath Response - (reproduced with permission of Tom Griffiths, Ed.D.)
Part 3: Mental Rehearsal for Controlling Underwater Stress- (reproduced with permission of Tom Griffiths, Ed.D.)
Part 4: Systematic Progressive Relaxation - (reproduced with permission of Tom Griffiths, Ed.D.)
*These exercises are NOT intended to be a substitute for professional treatment. Consult your personal physician or therapist before using them if you have a history of Panic Disorder or Claustrophobia or any other anxiety problems.
Click here for FREE MP3 file downloads of all 4 parts
MP3/CD/Audiocassettes of all four parts can also be obtained at low cost plus shipping by contacting:
Bill Torregrossa c/o The Short Burst Learning Company
90 South Wilson Ave , Elizabethtown, Pa 17022
717-367-2578 or bt@shortburstlearning.com or www.shortburstlearning,com
The Complete Panic Prevention Program (NDA News)
Tom Griffiths, Ed.D., 1987
Tom Griffiths, Ed.D., is the Director of Aquatics and Safety Officer for Athletics at Penn State University. He has been involved in all phases of aquatics and water safety for 30 years and has published more than 300 articles.
The
Vigilant Lifeguard "In fact, I spent the first decade of my career showing how the Inverted U explains panic in novice scuba divers. When we stressed scuba divers with too many underwater tasks, the performance on a timed U.S. Navy pipe puzzle test dropped significantly." Tom Griffiths, Ed.D. Griffiths, Steel and Vaccaro. ÒRelationship Between Anxiety and Performance in SCUBA Diving, Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1979, 48, pp. 1009-1010. Griffiths, Steel, Vaccaro and Karpman. ÒThe Effects of Relaxation Techniques on Anxiety and Underwater Performance,Ó The International Journal of Sport Psychology, 1981, 12, pp. 176-182. |
Aquatic Safety
Research Group, LLC |
Preliminary Report:
Prophylactic Nasal Irrigation to Facilitate Middle Ear Pressure Equalization in Experienced Scuba Divers
David F Colvard, MD Raleigh, NC
Objective: Middle ear squeeze caused by difficulty equalizing the pressure in ears during descent and ascent is among the most common problems in recreational scuba divers. Many divers use pre-dive oral or topical decongestants to help equalize pressure in their middle ears and sinuses. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of the alternative of nasal irrigation prophylaxis among experienced divers to facilitate middle ear pressure equalization and reduce the use of decongestant medications.
Methods: Web-based "Before" and "After" questionnaires were taken by experienced scuba divers who had previously reported having difficulty equalizing their middle ears or having used oral or topical decongestants and who volunteered to use free samples of NeilMed's SINUS RINSETM irrigation system before diving. (Surveys were taken between Nov 2005 and Sep 2006.)
Results: One hundred male and female experienced divers completed both "Before" and "After" web-based questionnaires. Forty-four (44.0%) reported less nasal congestion after using SINUS RINSETM and ten (10.0%) reported more nasal congestion. Sixty-nine (69.0%) reported less frequent difficulty in clearing or equalizing their ears and five (5.0%) reported more frequent difficulty. Forty-one of 68 divers (60.3%) for whom use of oral decongestants were applicable reported decreased or discontinued use. Twenty-one of 38 divers (55.3%) for whom use of decongestant sprays or drops were applicable reported decreased or discontinued use. None reported increased use of decongestants in any form. Seventy-two (72.0%) would recommend the SINUS RINSETM system to other divers and three would not.
Conclusions: Experienced scuba divers continue to dive despite the medical relative risk of nasal congestion and difficulty clearing or equalizing their middle ears. Nasal irrigation can effectively and safely reduce nasal congestion and decrease the frequency and difficulty in clearing or equalizing their middle ears in many divers. Additionally, nasal irrigation can decrease the use of decongestants, both oral and spray or drops, and reduce the risk of rebound congestion and reverse middle ear squeeze during or after a dive when the decongestants might have worn off. A nasal irrigation system like NeilMed's SINUS RINSETM appears to be an economical, convenient, safe, and effective prophylactic alternative to decongestant medications for many recreational divers who choose to dive despite the medical relative risk of nasal congestion and difficulty clearing or equalizing their middle ears.
|
Some amount of mucus production from the nasal and sinus lining is normal. Allergies and infections will cause excessive mucus production. This will create nasal and sinus symptoms such as runny and stuffy nose and post nasal drip. When the nasal rinse is performed, you wash away mucus, allergy causing particles and irritants such as pollens, dust particles, pollutants and bacteria, thus reducing the inflammation of the mucus membrane. Normal mucosa will fight infections and allergies better and symptoms will be reducedand allow the Eustachian tube to function more normally.
|
Financial Disclosure: Dr. Colvard is a consultant to NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of SINUS RINSEª
© Copyright 2000-2006 David F Colvard, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
Join ScubaBoard and over 65,000 divers discussing Scuba Diving topics from Equipment to Dive Travel. Read dive articles where you can learn about the latest news, deep & wreck diving, new diver training and much more.
| Br J Sports Med. 2004 Apr;38(2):108-14. |
Survey of Skin and Scuba Divers in the December 2004 Indonesian Tsunami
This is a world-wide Internet survey of skin and scuba
divers who were in or on the water in the Indonesian tsunami on 26 December
2004 . There has been little or no published information regarding the
effects of natural disasters on divers. Drs. Tom Skalko and Carmen
Russoniello of East Carolina University and I are studying what that
experience was like for divers and how it has affected their lives since
then. We need divers who were in or on the water to help us by completing the
survey.
Some of the survey questions may be upsetting, even months after the tsunami.
It will take about 10 - 20 minutes to complete. The survey will automatically
skip past questions that do not apply based upon answers to earlier
questions. Results will be compiled and completed as a group only. No
individual identifying information will be released to anyone. The risks of
participating in this survey are considered minimal.
If you were in or on the water in the tsunami or know of any skin or scuba divers who were in or on the water in the tsunami, then please ask them to go directly to the survey URL to complete the survey:
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2247GPQ5XL9
David F. Colvard, M.D., Raleigh, NC, USA
© Copyright 2000-2006 David F Colvard, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
TISE- Tsunami International Survey On Emotional Impactis a site from University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands meant for everyone who was in one of the countries affected by the tsunami and was a victim of it in any way. The web site contains information for relatives (and others involved) about the emotional impact of being a victim of a natural disaster. They have also set up a referral system of counselors in different countries for victims and relatives.
Disclaimer: The content of this website, and any services contained therein, is not intended to, and does not, provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any communication with the physician through this website does not establish a physician-patient relationship.
Information on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Prevention and Treatment of PTSD for Divers in December 26th Indonesian Tsunami
A free internet self-help site for persons suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder - OCD, fear of flying and post-traumatic stress disorder - PTSD. Extensive information and skills, plus the latest on helpful medications. From R. Reid Wilson, Ph.D., Chapel Hill, NC
|
Psychology of diving: literary review and state of the art di Salvatore Capodieci "Despite the important contribution lately made by some researchers, we still have little knowledge of the mechanisms leading to panic attacks during diving; the recreational and technical aspects of the diverÕs personality as well as the psychodynamic basis of this activity and its correlations with other extreme sports were studied too little." |
Survivor of a stingray injury to the heart
Beatrix F Weiss and Hugh D Wolfenden
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW.
Beatrix Weiss,
MB BS, FRACS, Cardiothoracic Fellow.Hugh D Wolfenden, MB BS, FRACS, Cardiothoracic Surgeon.Injuries to the extremities from stingray barbs are not uncommon along the Australian seaboard. Cardiac injuries from stingray barbs are rare, even worldwide, and all but one have been fatal.
We report a survivor of a cardiac injury caused by a stingray barb. Penetration of a body cavity by a stingray barb requires early surgical referral and management.
(Medical Journal of Australia 2001; 175: 33-34)"Dived" or "Dove"
| The American Heritage¨ Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
| dive1 |
| PRONUNCIATION: | 
d
v |
| VERB: | Inflected forms: dived or dove (
d
v), dived, diváing, dives |
| INTRANSITIVE VERB: | 1a. To plunge, especially headfirst, into water. b. To execute a dive in athletic competition. c. To participate in the sport of competitive diving. 2a. To go toward the bottom of a body of water; submerge. b. To engage in the activity of scuba diving. c. To submerge under power. Used of a submarine. 3a. To fall head down through the air. b. To descend nose down at an acceleration usually exceeding that of free fall. Used of an airplane. c. To engage in the sport of skydiving. 4. To drop sharply and rapidly; plummet: Stock prices dove 100 points in a single day of trading. 5a. To rush headlong and vanish into: dive into a crowd. b. To plunge one's hand into. 6. To lunge: dove for the loose ball. 7. To plunge into an activity or enterprise with vigor and gusto. |
| TRANSITIVE VERB: | To cause (an aircraft, for example) to dive. |
| NOUN: | 1a. A plunge into water, especially done headfirst and in a way established for athletic competition. b. The act or an instance of submerging, as of a submarine or a skin diver. c. A nearly vertical descent at an accelerated speed through the air. d. A quick, pronounced drop. 2a. Slang A disreputable or run-down bar or nightclub. b. A run-down residence. 3. Sports a. A knockout feigned by prearrangement between prizefighters: The challenger took a dive. b. An exaggerated fall, especially by a hockey player, intended to draw a penalty against an opponent. 4a. A lunge or a headlong jump: made a dive to catch the falling teacup. b. Football An offensive play in which the carrier of the ball plunges into the opposing line in order to gain short yardage. |
| ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English diven, from Old English d
fan, to dip, and from d
fan, to sink; see dheub- in
Appendix I. |
| USAGE NOTE: | Either dove or dived is acceptable as the past tense of dive. Usage preferences show regional distribution, although both forms are heard throughout the United States. According to the Dictionary of American Regional English, in the North, dove is more prevalent; in the South Midland, dived. Dived is actually the earlier form, and the emergence of dove may appear anomalous in light of the general tendencies of change in English verb forms. Old English had two classes of verbs: strong verbs, whose past tense was indicated by a change in their vowel (a process that survives in such present-day English verbs as drive/drove or fling/flung); and weak verbs, whose past was formed with a suffix related to Ðed in Modern English (as in present-day English live/lived and move/moved). Since the Old English period, many verbs have changed from the strong pattern to the weak one; for example, the past tense of step, formerly stop, became stepped. Over the years, in fact, the weak pattern has become so prevalent that we use the term regular to refer to verbs that form their past tense by suffixation of Ðed. However, there have occasionally been changes in the other direction: the past tense of wear, now wore, was once werede, and that of spit, now spat, was once spitede. The development of dove is an additional example of the small group of verbs that have swum against the historical tide. |
| The American Heritage¨ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
This page is hosted by David F. Colvard, M.D.
Beginning with the June 2000 Bonaire Dive Festival, David F. Colvard, M.D., a private psychiatrist and clinical investigator in Raleigh NC, a divemaster, and a Sand Dollar Condominium Resort home-owner, has been conducting online surveys of thousands of divers around the world. His first study on diver panic in over 12,000 divers was sponsored by RodaleÕs Scuba Diving magazine and was supported by Drew Richardson at PADI. Dr. Colvard presented a poster and abstract at the 35th Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Scientific Meeting in San Diego, CA, in June 2002.He and his wife Dr. Lynn Colvard wrote A Study of Panic in Recreational Divers forThe Undersea Journal, (Professional Journal of Professional Association of Diving Instructors), which was the feature article in the winter quarter 2003 issue. He has continued to conduct follow up online surveys of those divers and others on a variety of topics, including PTSD in the divers who survived the December 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami. Dr. Colvard recently completed a study of middle ear pressure equalization using SINUS RINSEªfor NeilMed Pharmaceuticals and represented the company at DEMA Show in Orlando. He has made several presentations to the staff of Divers Alert Network at Duke University Medical Center and is frequently quoted in Scuba Diving magazine and elsewhere. He hosts the website www.DivePsych.com which provides evidence-based information for divers on psychological and stress factors in scuba divers. For fun David enters underwater photography competitions.
Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
ACRP Certified Clinical Research Investigator
Principal Investigator, 2002 - 2004 Safety and Experience Surveys of Recreational Scuba Divers
Principal Investigator, 2000 Safety Survey of Recreational
Scuba Divers
3725 National Dr #228
Raleigh, NC 27612 USA
919-781-3141 or Toll-Free 1-877-COLVARD
david@divepsych.com
Disclaimer: The content of this website, and any services contained therein, is not intended to, and does not, provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any communication with the physician through this website does not establish a physician-patient relationship.
Bonaire Studio Condominium Rentals
Dr. Colvard's Private Psychiatric Practice in Raleigh
[Hit Counter]
Since 21 March 2007
© Copyright 2000-2007 David F Colvard, M.D. All Rights Reserved. All Material provided in this website is provided for educational purposes only. Consult your own physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.
