As focus narrows due to stress, what might diver be prone to ignore?

When a diver experiences stress, their cognitive focus often becomes more concentrated on immediate tasks or concerns, which can inadvertently lead them to overlook critical aspects of their environment. In this state of narrowed focus, the diver may become less aware of potential hazards surrounding them, such as changes in currents, visibility issues, or the presence of other divers or equipment that could pose a risk.

This phenomenon occurs because heightened stress can impair situational awareness, making it difficult for an individual to process all available information effectively. Consequently, as the diver becomes more fixated on managing their stress or dealing with specific challenges, they might not fully recognize the threats present in their surroundings.

While it is also true that stress could affect a diver's ability to take in new information or recall previous experiences, the most immediate and hazardous consequence of stress is the tendency to overlook imminent dangers. Therefore, understanding the implications of stress on attention is critical for ensuring safety in diving situations.