The Beneficial Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Scuba Diving on Human Mental Health

Abstract

Exposure to outdoor blue spaces can help improve human health by reducing stress, promoting social relationships, and physical activity. While most studies have focused on the adverse health effects of scuba diving, very few have assessed its health benefits. Moreover, when scuba diving is done in large groups with no diving instructor or pre-dive briefing, negative environmental impacts are generated and negative impacts on human health may also occur due to overcrowding, which may create stress. This is the first study to evaluate the effects of scuba diving on divers’ mental health using their diving practices to estimate the impacts on the ecosystem. In the marine-protected area of Cap de Creus and adjacent areas, we assessed the mental health of 176 divers and 70 beach users (control group) by employing a 29-item version of Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaires. According to the parameters associated with reduced environmental impacts, two scuba diving experiences were established. Poisson regression models were performed to assess both the contribution of the activity and diving experiences to POMS scores. Both groups (scuba divers and beach goers) reduced their POMS scores after carrying out the activities. Although no significant differences were found between beach and scuba diving activities, nor between the two different scuba diving experiences, our results showed that subjects with regular medication intake due to a chronic or psychiatric illness had a POMS reduction score significantly higher than other subjects. We conclude that both beach and scuba diving activities have positive effects for human mental health, particularly among subjects with regular medication intake.

How human health and well-being depends on healthy marine habitats in the Mediterranean: A review

“…Mediterranean marine habitats are appreciated as places of outstanding natural beauty, providing inspiration, as well as spaces for leisure (in the form of tourism and recreation), all of which fosters human health and well-being. There are studies (summarized in Supplementary Table 1 ) showing the health benefits of physical activity in Mediterranean pelagic and benthic habitats ([ 15 , 18 ]). Non-motorized water sports that require physical effort, such as swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing or surfing, have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of those who take part in these activities, in the Mediterranean [ 14 ] and in other seas and oceans ([ 15 , [57] , [58] , [59] ]).…”

“…Interviews with water sports instructors working in the Cap de Creus Natural Park (northwestern Mediterranean) provide evidence that sea swimming, kayaking, sailing, surfing, windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), carried out in the pelagic habitat, and scuba diving and freediving, carried out in rocky and coralligenous habitats, are highly beneficial for people with mental health problems ([ 15 , 18 ]). Doing water sports regularly, as well as visiting the coast, can improve the quality of life not only of healthy people, but also patients with various medical conditions that affect their physical and/or mental/emotional/psychological well-being ([ 13 , 15 , 15 , [57] , [58] , [59] ]).…”

“…[ [13] , [14] , [15] ]), they do little to explain the causal pathways via which marine habitat features may work to establish those relationships. Of the large body of research on blue spaces and human health, the vast majority focus on the size of the blue spaces near populated areas, the time people spend in such areas ([ 16 , 17 ]), or the sporting activities they take part in ([ 15 , 18 ]), with little or no attention to the ecological characteristics of these areas. Therefore, existing studies tell us little about the impact that the myriad forms of marine habitats can have on people's health – whether in direct contact, or in close proximity – or about how changes in marine biodiversity and habitats can affect this relationship.…”

Adventure Recreation in Blue Spaces and the Wellbeing of Young Polish Adults

“…For example, a study conducted by A. Morgan and her co-workers indicated that scuba diving decreases levels of anxiety or depression and improves social functioning [54]. In a study conducted by Carreño and his co-workers, scuba diving activities had positive effects on human mental health [55]. Participants of the Surf-Salva Camp 2016 indicated that surfing had a number of positive effects as follows: exploration, effort and perseverance, problemsolving, time-management, social competencies, interpersonal relationships and emotional regulation [56].…”

El buceo como posible terapia complementaria de salud mental

“…Se han descrito algunos beneficios físicos, pero son mucho más conocidos los posibles efectos adversos y los múltiples incidentes que puede causar dicha práctica. Sin embargo, son escasos los estudios que evalúan su potencial efecto beneficioso en la salud mental [1][2][3][4][5][6] . En la tabla 1 se expone un resumen de los artículos más importantes sobre la experiencia que sustenta los posibles beneficios del buceo en la salud mental, todos ellos haciendo referencia al submarinismo con equipos autónomos (botellas de aire comprimido, regulador, manómetro, profundímetro...).…”