Question

How do you deal with a panicking diver?

Answer 1

Try communicating with the diver with calming and reassuring signs looking them straight in the eyes with confidence that says you know what you're doing. Establish buoyancy for them if they are quickly ascending or descending. Check the divers gauges to determine whether they are actually out of air, if they are lock arms with the diver and give them your octopus, purging it for them once it's in their mouth.Once the air situation is solved, work on getting the diver safely back to the surface by, locking arms with them and making them ascending with you at a safe rate. 

Answer 2

This is question that can have multiple answers depending on the situation. The diver could be passively panicked or violently panicked either at depth or at the surface.What ever you do assess the situation before taking action. If the diver is panicked at the surface, try to get his attention, stay at arms length until you know his problems. You dont want to have to be rescued also. Best approach for a panicked diver at depth is from behind. You want to stay out of his grasp. They wili climb all over you trying to get to the surface. use his tank valve to hold and cradle his tank with your knees and surface at a safe rate. All of this is taught in the PADI Rescue Diver Course

Answer 3

There is a great old saying in Emergency Rooms:  "In case of emergency, take your own pulse first."  Panic is contagious.  Remain calm yourself, responds to the situation out of your training.