Cant get my buddy to enter the ocean :(

[ScubaCollin]

Hey guys, Im going to Porta Mia, Cozumel, Belize and the Caymen Islands this March. The problem is, the guy im going with will not go in the water. Hes afriad of sharks!!! I explaind to him that the ods of getting attacked by a shark are extremely rare, and that most sharks that are around those areas arnt that dangerous. He still will not even snorkel with me. Any ideas on how to get him in the water? (Non drug related)

I dont feel bad leaving him on the boat while I scuba, but Id atleast like to get him in the water for some snorkeling.

 

[MechDiver]

Hey guys, Im going to Porta Mia, Cozumel, Belize and the Caymen Islands this March. The problem is, the guy im going with will not go in the water. Hes afriad of sharks!!! I explaind to him that the ods of getting attacked by a shark are extremely rare, and that most sharks that are around those areas arnt that dangerous. He still will not even snorkel with me. Any ideas on how to get him in the water? (Non drug related)

I dont feel bad leaving him on the boat while I scuba, but Id atleast like to get him in the water for some snorkeling.

Why you want to go to tropical dive destinations with someone who is afraid of the water is beyond me. Either get a new friend, leave them on the boat, or go somewhere else.

 

[Quarrior]

Personally, I wouldn't push him. Working on the assumption that for some strange reason something were to go wrong after you have convinced him to go in the water, he would never forgive you and you would probably never forgive yourself.

I have always worked on the premise that if someone has themselves convinced of something like that, leave it be. They will either take the time to learn differently or they won't, on their own.

Also, from my reading, swimmers and snorkelers look and sound like food to sharks, but, divers don't. Something to keep in mind.

 

[Wildcard]

Take him to a shark tank with people in the water and let him see that they are just big fish.

 

[wedivebc]

Hey guys, Im going to Porta Mia, Cozumel, Belize and the Caymen Islands this March. The problem is, the guy im going with will not go in the water. Hes afriad of sharks!!! I explaind to him that the ods of getting attacked by a shark are extremely rare, and that most sharks that are around those areas arnt that dangerous. He still will not even snorkel with me. Any ideas on how to get him in the water? (Non drug related)

I dont feel bad leaving him on the boat while I scuba, but Id atleast like to get him in the water for some snorkeling.

Yeah, I feel for you. I did not take up scuba untill after I was married. We started classes together but she hates it. Oh well we had 15 good years together

 

[ScubaCollin]

Why you want to go to tropical dive destinations with someone who is afraid of the water is beyond me. Either get a new friend, leave them on the boat, or go somewhere else.

Hes always wanted to get out of the country so I figured I would bring him with me. Its not going to stop me from scubadiving, Im still going to go. I wont feel bad about because I know its his choice. But still Id like to show him that theres nothing to worry about in the water.

I also know that the chances of being attacked are more while youre snorkeling, but honestly youd have to be a moron to let that stop you. Sharks usually attack the people splashing around in the water so if your calm snorkeling you should be fine. Plus its mostly black tips and nurse sharks.

 

[Wijbrandus]

Hell, more people get killed by dogs or falling down the stairs than get hurt by a shark, let alone killed.

Tell him he's more at risk of getting hurt on the dive boat. In all my time on boats (non-diver time included), I've been hurt way more on the boat than I ever have in the water. At least you can't lose your balance and fall overboard like a total idiot underwater.

 

[DandyDon]

You're doing a cruise, right? There'll be plenty of other choice for him - land tours, the gal he met the night befroe, etc.

Let him have the fears he insists on keeping, you go have safe fun.

It would be funny, though, if you could be in he cabin when he gets in, laying in bed with fake bandages and one leg hidden. :lol2:

 

[Wijbrandus]

Or dress up like the SNL Landshark...

 

[DandyDon]

:azvatar: "There's no sharks here, Joe. The baracuda scared them all off."

Nah, just let him go on the jungle tour and catch malaria. :biggrinba