First documented case of hydrogen psychosis
Last updated: May 25, 2020 at 3:03 am
Captain Steve Zissou — Papa Steve suffered from the debilitating effects of ‘Crazy Eye’ after witnessing the demise of his diving companion and partner, Esteban du Plantier, who was eaten by the jaguar shark.
Hydrogen psychosis (ˈhaɪdrɪdʒən saɪˈkəʊsɪs, a.k.a. Crazy Eye) is an awkward medical condition first described in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It is caused by psychological trauma like being chased by fictitious creatures, or that occurs when scuba diving instructors are frustratingly stumped by what should be elementary questions such as… Who is the deepest diver? Where is the clearest water? Who is Sylvia Earle? Symptoms of hydrogen psychosis are alleviated by watching The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Touchstone Pictures, 2004) or disappear entirely by consulting the Diving Almanac.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Touchstone Pictures, 2004
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Jeffrey Gallant is the Editor-in-Chief and Records Keeper of the Diving Almanac. He is also a contributing editor of DIVER Magazine, and the scientific director of the Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group (GEERG). Jeffrey started diving in 1982.
