Diving with Claustrophobia

[paige_va]

My husband and I just returned from St. Maarten, where we completed our OW cert. I enjoyed the experience and really want to get into diving, but I found that I had some problems with claustrophobia during my open water dives. The incidents usually began with water leaking into my mask. Even though I know how to clear the water, the sensation of my mask filling up sent me into a panic and made me want to surface as quickly as possible.

Has anyone else experienced this? How have you dealt with it? I found that I felt better in shallower water, around 30 feet. Should I stick with that until completely comfortable and then move to something deeper? Now that I'm certified, how do I get extra help from an instructor if I feel I need it?

 

[DandyDon]

I saw your idedtical post in another forum and responded there...

Click: http://www.scubaboard.com/t66101.html

 

[Hank49]

My husband and I just returned from St. Maarten, where we completed our OW cert. I enjoyed the experience and really want to get into diving, but I found that I had some problems with claustrophobia during my open water dives. The incidents usually began with water leaking into my mask. Even though I know how to clear the water, the sensation of my mask filling up sent me into a panic and made me want to surface as quickly as possible.

Has anyone else experienced this? How have you dealt with it? I found that I felt better in shallower water, around 30 feet. Should I stick with that until completely comfortable and then move to something deeper? Now that I'm certified, how do I get extra help from an instructor if I feel I need it?

Try going into the water with a tank, sit on the bottom or, (oops, sorry Mike Farrera) hover mid water and practice mask removal/replacement over and over and over...until it feels very natural. If it feels very comfortable in shallow water, you should better at 30+ feet.

 

[underwater daphne]

i too get claustrophobic under water sometimes es especially when deep and i look up and see myself in this chamber or room. usually i try to relax and actually enjoy seeing the surface wall. meditating might help you relax in situations like these. stop, think and relax.

 

[gr8white]

Agree with practicing mask removal in shallow water...over and over and over. But that won't take care of the claustrophobia. Only you will. I get it too and here is how I got rid of it in the water.

Practice focusing on something. Even in murky water with 0 viz you can bring your hand or gauge up to your mask and focus. Once focused, you can talk your fear down and get to safer place, either mentally, or physically. I am to the point where I have been ok in terrible vis and at night.

Of course, everyone gets clautrophobia for different reasons: feeling of being trappped, losing control of a situation, etc. If you don't get it other than when your mask leaks, it seems it should be easy to control with learning the skill of clearing and getting used getting control of the situation.

Keep pracitising until you feel totally comfortable before going deeper. If you are down at 70', leak a mask then freak and bolt to the top, you will be sitting in a chamber somewhere and THAT is not fun for a claustrophobic person!

 

[opiniongirl]

Here are some other thoughts:

1. Most people, when learning, don't like water leaks. It's normal, and you just need practice. See if you can get in some extra pool time with an instructor in your area.

2. If you just felt this way when the mask was leaking, it probably was anxiety due to the mask, vs. real clausterphobia. I had a real tough time with mask clearing when I was in ow, and I just got over it with more time.

3. Some people feel more clausterphobic with a black mask - try and wear a clear, and your own mask will almost always fit much better than a rental.

4. Was your wetsuit or BC too tight? Sometimes you can feel restricted by your gear - it should fit snug, but you shouldn't be bursting at the seams.

I think your idea of remaining at a shallow depth is a good one. Keep in mind that others feel exactly the same as you, and that you have to remain in control of your instincts while underwater. Remember to try and think through problems, and resist the urge to come to the surface. See if your facility has some dives where you can participate, which are shallow, and where you can buddy with an instructor. Stop, think, and then act!

 

[lostinspace]

Here are some other thoughts:

1. Most people, when learning, don't like water leaks. It's normal, and you just need practice. See if you can get in some extra pool time with an instructor in your area.

2. If you just felt this way when the mask was leaking, it probably was anxiety due to the mask, vs. real clausterphobia. I had a real tough time with mask clearing when I was in ow, and I just got over it with more time.

3. Some people feel more clausterphobic with a black mask - try and wear a clear, and your own mask will almost always fit much better than a rental.

4. Was your wetsuit or BC too tight? Sometimes you can feel restricted by your gear - it should fit snug, but you shouldn't be bursting at the seams.

I think your idea of remaining at a shallow depth is a good one. Keep in mind that others feel exactly the same as you, and that you have to remain in control of your instincts while underwater. Remember to try and think through problems, and resist the urge to come to the surface. See if your facility has some dives where you can participate, which are shallow, and where you can buddy with an instructor. Stop, think, and then act!

I agree with everything OG said - I went through exactly the same!
And just remember, now you're qualified, you will still always dive with a buddy or dive leader. Just let someone know before you dive that you are nervous and you'd appreciate it if they could just keep an eye on you. Eventually as you settle in, you'll stop needing to ask.