Titanic sub crew likely experiencing ‘mood swings,’ ex-Navy psychologist says

The five people aboard the missing Titanic submersible are likely going through “significant mood swings” and “sheer panic” as their oxygen supply runs out — but if they don’t stay calm, they could waste more of their oxygen supply, according to a former US Navy psychologist.

Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, who served six years of active duty as a clinical and forensic psychologist, described to Fox News what he believes the occupants of the OceanGate Expeditions’ Titan must be experiencing as they hope to be rescued from the suffocating vessel.

“Certainly there is sheer panic where their heart is racing and they’re having trouble breathing … or they feel like they are going to lose their mind,” D’Arienzo told the news outlet. “And certainly in a cramped space that is dark — like this situation — that can be exponentially worse.”

He continued: “I think they are probably moving in and out of phases of panic, to gallows humor, to fear, to feeling really bonded with the other passengers that are with them.

“There’s just lots of significant mood swings,” D’Arienzo added.

The psychologist, who is now in private practice, said the five people must fight to handle the uncertainty of their terrifying predicament.

“Psychologically, what is the killer for people in terms of maintaining calmness is dealing with uncertainty,” he said. “It’s really important to be able to surrender to that lack of uncertainty and just focus on what you have control of.

“What those people have in control of on that submarine is remaining calm and getting to know each other, but also trying not to talk too much, so they’re not using up any oxygen,” D’Arienzo said.

With about 35 hours of oxygen remaining on the submersible, renewed hope has emerged after a Canadian military surveillance plane detected underwater noises every 30 minutes in the area where the Titan lost contact with its support ship an hour and 45 minutes into its eight-hour trip.

Missing aboard the sub are pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Sulaiman.

“The submarine captain is probably trying to keep everyone calm,” D’Arienzo told Fox News. “Because your muscles are energized when you’re in panic, and then you are using more oxygen.”

He said managing a crisis on a civilian submersible is very different than on a Navy submarine where trained sailors are prepared for anything.

“Here on a civilian tour … they are not submariners. They’re not all trained,” he told the outlet. “It is most difficult for the family that is waiting to hear news. I’m hoping that we’re going to be rejoicing the rescue of the submarine.”

D’Arienzo added that it will be a daunting task for rescue teams.

“These people are heroes. They find a needle in a haystack. You got to trust that there’s going to be good news,” he said.