Not all divers succumb to panic as Drozd did. A great diver learns to stand down his emotions. At the moment he becomes lost or blinded or tangled or trapped, that instant when millions of years of evolution demand fight or flight and narcosis carves order from his brain, he dials down his fear and contracts into the moment until his breathing slows and his narcosis lightens and his reason returns. In this way he overcomes his humanness and becomes something else. In this way, liberated from instincts, he becomes a freak of nature. To
In the book "Shadow Divers," the author Robert Kurson explores the psychological challenges faced by divers, particularly in high-stress situations. Not every diver reacts to peril with panic; the best divers manage to control their emotions. When confronted with danger, such as being lost or trapped underwater, they resist the instinctual fight or flight response. Instead, they focus on calming their fear, allowing their breath to stabilize and regaining clarity of thought.
This ability to transcend basic human instincts transforms them into something extraordinary. By mastering their emotions and overcoming natural impulses, skilled divers can handle life-threatening situations more effectively. This discipline sets them apart from less experienced divers, enabling them to navigate the underwater world with a remarkable sense of calm and focus.
