Nervous Novice?

[phoneman]

Ok maybe someone can tell me if this is normal. Since being certified (ow that is) about 4 months ago I have tried to dive almost every weekend. My computer has about 30 dives in it with most of them shallow dives (25') at local springs. Here's the wierd part, as I get more comfortable with getting my gear rigged and ready for a dive, and my dive planning is becoming easier I find myself worried about it more? Well worried may not be the right word but I seem to check and re-check everthing for a couple of days before a dive. Once I'm in the water all of that goes away. I'm concerned that if I let a lot of this become second nature I will become sloppy and forget something. Well I won't feel bad if you move this post to the rubber room forum.

 

[Sasquatch]

Are you worried or merely anxious? I have about 55 dives and I feel the same way. I get real calm once I'm gearing up but the anticipation of the dive has me excited as a kid on Christmas Eve. Once down...joy!

But, yes it is much better to check/re-check than to forget something important that will hose the dive. I found that printing a checklist (I have them pre-made in WORD) and going over it really helps. Once the item is checked off I know the gear and other vital items like maps and money are accounted for. When I load up for the dive I circle everything I'd previously checked and if the circles match the checks we are gone. Works for me.

Sea ya!

 

[AndrewK2]

I think something becoming second nature means you just won't need to re-check things as often. I don't think it's a problem however, it just means you're more concerned and meticulous in what you're doing. Do you find yourself like that in things other than diving - I know I do and when I set up my gear, no matter how many times I've done it, I pay attention to every detail and it drives my buddy crazy sometimes.

 

[DandyDon]

I think you'll be a very good diver...!

 

[TPreston]

I plan to do some local diving this saturday and im already nervous. I for some reason get weird nervous when i even think about getting in the water. I may just be worried that it is going to be really cold. I live in Alabama and the temp is going to be 63 and the water will be about the same. Back to the point, I think it is O.K. to check until you feel like you are good to go.

 

[creamofwheat]

TPreston...63? That's, like, tropical. Ok, well, maybe not, but I dive in about 48-ish water (well, I was trained in cold water...havent gone diving since I was certified 1.5 weeks ago. )

Phoneman...I think that it's great that you check and recheck things. It's better to do that than not do it and forget something, and be able to dive. I am assuming that the more you dive, the less you will have to double check things though, and the nervousness factor will slowly start to dissipate somewhat.

 

[wdlk]

Phoneman,

There is nothing wrong with double checking your gear. I still double check mine, sometimes triple check. I also check my buddies dive gear. Its better to find a potential problem on the surface and correct it than to find you have a problem underwater that could have been correct before the dive. I have seen many divers abort dives because they failed to check their gear before hand. If something doesn't fill right check it again.

You will get more comfortable with your gear the more you dive. Most new divers are nervous, but this usually fades the more they get experience with their gear.

Sasquatch made a good suggestion. Make a predive check list that will assist you in checking your equipment. This may help alleviate some of your nervousness. I use a check list when planning long trips. Helps prevent accidentally leaving important equipment at home.

 

[phoneman]

Thanks for the help.
I think the list idea is great and I'll give it a try this weekend. I am very methodical about preping for a dive and when I do things without thinking about it,thats what makes me crazy it's not that I did anything wrong or forgot something.It's like when your driving and you realize you don't remember the last 10 miles you drove.

Well its good to know I'm not paraniod and that everyone in the room is staring at me. Now will some tell my wife to let me out of my straight jacket and tell the kids to stop poking me with sticks so I can check my gear again.

 

[ghostdiver1957]

Sounds to me like your anxiety is causing you to check, re-check then check again before entering the water... nothing wrong with that. If you've checked everything three times and you jump in the water and it wasn't right... you obviously don't know what you're doing. If on the other hand everything goes good... your checks proved worthwhile. Don't overthink it... Just Do It!

 

[Solitude Diver]

Ok maybe someone can tell me if this is normal.

Like driving a car, (or doing anything dangerous and somewhat complicated). At first you are task loaded trying to remember everything so stay safe. It is stressful. As things become more habit, and you find that you are not forgetting things as often (hose connections, turning on air, etc.) anxiety will be less. I have found that the longer I go in between dives, the more anxiety I will feel (particularly on deeper dives) as I try to think of what I may have forgotten. If I’ve done a lot of diving recently there is none.

As per all of these posts suggest, it is normal and goes away with experience. The more you feel the need to be cautious however, the more likely you probably should be. Encourage your buddy to check you out thoroughly too.

Have fun, dive safe.

-Steve :14: