First pool dive!

[RugbyHeretic]

A question about anxiety. I started open water academic training about a month ago. I have been around water (pool and ocean) my entire life. I did my first pool dive last weekend. I wasn't talking negative in my head but when I hit the water I became very anxious and started breathing hard to the point of being an air hog. When I was doing small chunks like clearing my mask I had some problems. When I was tasked with being at the bottom, taking my BC off, putting it on, showing I could take my weights out, and clearing my mask when it filled with water I did ok. How does anyone deal with their anxiety when they started diving? My instructor felt it was just being new to the equipment since I was able to breathe ok under water without my mask. Any help is appreciated.

 

[tomfcrist]

Think of it like driving a car. The first time you actually got behind the wheel was likely to be white knuckle, but as time passes( this happens quickly) your comfort level and efficiency improves dramatically. Keep calm and keep diving, and welcome to a whole new world.

 

[beaverdivers]

Just relax & you will be OK!

 

[RugbyHeretic]

Thank you. I'm glad to hear all is not lost.

 

[guruboy]

Sounds more like general anxiety to me (and not a water comfort thing).

Like others have said, just relax and try to enjoy yourself.

 

[toddthecat]

Anxiety more from having to perform the skills, especially in front of other people and the instructor. The instructor will do the skills slowly and with great exaggeration. Sometimes students feel the pressure to mimic that perfectly. While it certainly doesn't hurt, don't feel pressured or expect yourself to perform the skills to the level of proficiency as your instructor. This is a new thing to you and it's all about practice! If everyone could do something the first time without any trouble then everyone would be an expert in everything!

Just relax, control your breathing, and remember that you aren't in competition with anyone. I have found that tends to be a hangup with students sometimes. I don't care how students compare to each other in the least. My concern is whether or not each student is able to perform the skill and understand WHY they are performing it.

You'll be fine!

 

[Tinky]

I can really relate to what you're writing I've suffered from anxiety attacks during my first pool dives, actually writing about them here on Scubaboard as well. Several things helped me, changing diet helped, try having something containing sugar before your dive, it will give you a bit of a kick. Definitely don't dive hungry, you'll lose loads of energy and heat and if the body is not that comfortable, it makes you feel more nervous.

Also, breathe deep and slow, using your diaphragm. I have learned watching the stream of bubbles leaving my second stage really helps to keep me calm. It gets better every dive, no worries. The sensation of being underwater is just something that needs getting used to. Just don't worry, you're not alone with these problems!

 

[Peter69_56]

Everyone here has let you know you are not alone feeling this. I can still remember when I first did my pool training, I freaked out as I was not exposed to water much when young. The worst being water up my nose. I refused to give in and got through it. I knew I had to deal with this or it could be an ongoing problem.

My recommendation to you is practice, practice, practice. I still practice today all things taught to me at OW and AOW training. The main reason is because when something happens like mask being kicked off, there will be NO warning. The more you practice, the better you will be able to cope. I suspect many divers do their training and then never check their skills again ever. Just because you have done 500 dives doesn't mean you wont lose it if your mask is kicked off. Familiarity with the issue gives confidence.

So once you are certified, practice, practice, practice, and also get good advice from more experienced people (but chose wisely). You need people who are prepared to spend time with you and have patience so you don't feel under stress from them and comfortable.

Have fun and enjoy your diving.

 

[PsyWulf]

We as humans are not designed to spend extended times under water,so the natural response is to try to escape

Now when we keep at it and teach our bodies that we are perfectly fine underwater thats when we start really enjoying it. For some it's instant,others it takes more time

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I thinkthe experience the op reports ius a combination of excitement, anxiety, and unfamiliarity. With each additional event under water, almost everyone gets more comfortable and morte competent. It takes a while. I recall that I loved diving the first time in the pool, but still had some issues with some skills ( remove and replace, etc) due to lack of breathing control. I suggest the op and other new students not get worried. Just enjoy the experience and grow with each session. Somewhere down the line, when the training is done, and you are on "real dive 5 to 25 someplace, you will almost certainly have an experience of "feeling it," just enjoying the dive and feeling as part of the world uyou are in instead of an invader on life support. It will happen. But not during the first pool session.
DivemasterDennis