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.

Situational Awareness Loss — Divers may fixate on sharks and lose depth or position awareness.

Subtle Behavioural Shifts — Changes in shark behaviour may be missed without active observation.

Blue-Water Reference Loss — Lack of visual references increases ascent and descent instability.

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.

Remote Silt Disturbance — Silt can be disturbed metres away from the source.

Rapid Stress Escalation — Stress can increase sharply when visibility or navigation degrades.

High Cognitive Load Navigation — Complex passages increase mental workload even on a line.

Bubble Trapping Under Overhangs — Rock overhangs can trap exhaled bubbles, reducing visibility and causing disorientation.

Reflected Surge Patterns — Surge reflecting off rock faces can create irregular and unpredictable water movement.

Current Funnel Effect — Narrow gaps between rocks can accelerate water flow unexpectedly.

Deceptive Entry Openings — Openings may become restrictive inside due to angle, collapse, or corrosion.

Surge-Induced Internal Silt Shift — Internal surge can move silt and debris without direct contact.

Partial Overhead Environment — Many wrecks limit direct ascent even without full penetration.

Fine Rust Particle Silt-Out — Disturbed rust particles can rapidly reduce visibility.

Hidden Depth Variations — Complex reef topography can conceal depth changes, leading to unintended profile variations.

Distraction from Marine Activity — High fish activity can distract divers and delay depth or gas awareness.

Rapid Surge Direction Changes — Surge near reef structures can reverse direction quickly, pushing divers sideways into unexpected areas.

Eddy Pull-Off Zones — Eddies behind structures can pull divers away from the main drift line.

Delayed Surface Pickup — Strong current can exceed surface tracking assumptions, delaying boat pickup.

Vertical Current Shear — Currents may vary by depth, causing vertical separation even when divers stay together.

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.