[1] It has additionally been associated with the Igloolik Inuit of Northern Canada, who are said to suffer wild hallucinations of mythical spirits including visions of a 'sea ermine'.
Episodes often occur in foggy or overcast conditions as the sky is reflected on the still, mirror-like water surface, making it difficult to distinguish the horizon and determine up from down.
[3] In other circumstances, a number of hunters observed in early studies also reported to be equally affected in rough-weather conditions, such as storm or wind.
[5][6] Speculation as to why the condition developed have ranged widely, from a possible hereditary defect among the people of Greenland to a form of post-traumatic stress syndrome caused by the constant life-and-death trials involved in solo seal hunting.
[2] The most successful way for a lone seal hunter to break the effects of kayak angst is reported to be vigorously and strenuously continuing to paddle; this can be initiated by first rocking the boat and then working towards more sizeable thrusts.