Respect limits and pronounced impact of depth - Scuba diving medical adviser

KOTA KINABALU - A scuba diving medical adviser, Col (Dr) Eugene Tan Choon Li, has advised divers to understand the pronounced effects of depth on their mental state and to respect their personal limits.

"We should be informing people of the risks involved. Seasoned divers must play a role in educating others about the dangers of deep dives," he said in a statement today.

Putting this principle into practice, Dr Eugene gave a talk to 14 Sabah Dive Squad Club members yesterday.

The session, held after the group experienced the state-of-the-art hyperbaric chamber at the Kota Kinabalu Regional Armed Forces Hospital, also covered complications like decompression sickness and barotrauma.

Meanwhile, Sabah Dive Squad Club president Sim Fui, who led the group, said the rare opportunity provides crucial awareness for preventing accidents and ensuring the sport’s long-term enjoyment.

"This practical exposure provided invaluable insights that cannot be obtained through theory alone. It strongly reminded us that while we may dive with passion and emotion, we must always dive with rationality and respect for our personal limits," he said.

The team spent about 40 minutes in the chamber, including a brief period at the maximum simulated depth of 40 metres.

At simulated depths of 30 and 40 metres, First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal tested the participants with questions to demonstrate how deep diving can alter their mental state. - BERNAMA