Misleading Line Tension — Line tension changes can give false cues about exit direction.

Cold-Induced Gas Consumption — Cold stress increases breathing rate and gas usage.

Reduced Failure Tolerance — Minor equipment issues escalate rapidly due to cold and dexterity loss.

Unstable Visual Ascents — Relying on wall visuals can destabilise ascents.

Gradual Depth Creep — Lack of visual bottom reference can cause unnoticed descent.

Unsignalled Downcurrents — Downcurrents can form without visible indicators.

Landmark Misidentification — Familiar sites can become unrecognisable at night.

Light-Induced Tunnel Vision — Focused light beams reduce peripheral awareness.

Depth Perception Errors — Reduced ambient light increases depth perception mistakes.

Gradual Narcosis Onset — Narcosis may develop slowly, making self-assessment unreliable.

Task Fixation at Depth — Cognitive narrowing at depth can reduce awareness of time and ascent rate.

Increased Gas Density Breathing Load — Higher gas density at depth increases work of breathing.

Edge-Accelerated Currents — Currents often strengthen along drop-off edges.

Depth Perception Distortion — Visual contrast can distort perceived depth.

Terrain-Induced Descent — Divers may unintentionally follow terrain downward.

Thermocline Buoyancy Shift — Sharp thermoclines can cause sudden buoyancy changes.

Instant Visibility Collapse — Sediment disturbance can eliminate visibility immediately.

Late Detection of Structures — Submerged structures may only appear at very close range.

Navigation Ambiguity — Lack of reference points makes exits harder to relocate.

Unnoticed Depth Drift — Featureless terrain can cause slow, unnoticed depth changes.

Camouflaged Hazardous Species — Hazardous marine life may remain unnoticed until very close.