Panic Attack in the pool session

[diptera]

OK, if this is just a breathing through the mouth/underwater thing, a simple thing to do is fill the sink, or a large dishpan, with water, and breathe through your snorkel with your face submerged. 15 minutes every evening until it's no big deal.

On the other hand, you alluded to other issues:

"I am a very insecure person & have no confidence. I am sure I can do it I just wish I was more positive & could get past the negativity & psychological issues I have created myself."

Now, this is a very politically incorrect, and unpopular thing to say around here, but depending on how accurate your quoted words above are, you may not be emotionally suited for diving, or any other activity where your life can depend upon rapidly and calmly making and executing decisions under stressful conditions. Now, you may notice that this characterization of diving can also be applied to a lot of things we take for granted every day, like driving a car. The good news is that your emotional makeup is not set in stone; it can be changed. You should consider how you can become a more confident and secure person not just for diving, but for all the challenges in life that this nervousness may interfere with. Only you can determine how to do this. Some people go to a therapist, others turn to their religious faith, and many people find that some sort of "boot camp" type experience helps. Whatever approach works for you, make sure you do it in a way that doesn't put you or others at undue risk.

 

[ghostdiver1957]

You might want to see a doctor before proceeding. I had a student with similar symptoms to yours. I advised her to see a doctor. It seems the "lump" in her chest and difficulty breathing was being caused by a compressed disc. Just an idea... because it may or may not be all in your head

 

[tcce]

Thank you all for the wonderfull advise. I wore my mask for about 45 minutes around the house. By the time I got to the pool I was more relaxed. I actually did the stride entrance off the diving board. (trust me a miracle for me) & I did it right. Once down there I panicked so I went up relaxed & decided to go back down & watch. It really relaxed me & I started doing everything w/ them at my pace which is a bit slower. I did really good yesturday especially compared to the 1st night. Had we had more time in the pool I think I would have had it down packed. We are going to do some more pool sessions today & tomorrow we are going out on the boat. If I am ready in the ocean great if not that's ok more practice. I am not going to let the pressure get to me.

As far as my 11yr old being certified. I was a bit nervous at first but he is very carefull.
He actually did better in his course than the adults. He was more focused & alert than them. He even aced his written. My husband doesn't allow him more than 50ft my husband is his buddy always. He also pays attention to his dive computer.
Our instructor has been diving/instructor for over 30 years & I wouldn't have allowed my son if he didn't feel he was ready. He also would not have certified him. Ray is extremely strict & thorough. He doesn't allow short cuts.
Thanks for your concern.

 

[unclewas]

A big ditto on rapidivers response. Try all the great suggestions you have gotten from folks but keep in mind that not everyone who can dive should dive. And I'm sorry but I just don't agree with children diving. Personally 16 should be the minimum.

respectfullywas

 

[ghostdiver1957]

As both an AOWI and Scuba Rangers Instructor... I only have one thing to say...

"Kids Rule!"

OK, so I did that for the kids... but the facts are that many kids are not only capable of diving, but they do it better than many adults. I've had 10 year olds much better in the water than 30 year olds... and given the fact that until age 15 they are limited in the depth they can dive and by the fact that they must dive with adult supervision, I feel quite comfortable with kids learning to dive. I have taken kids in the open ocean to 60 feet and they have performed quite well. Of course I oddly enough feel compelled to keep a closer eye on them than the adults I'm leading, but I can't put my finger on why, other than perception. The fact of the matter is I've had to rescue more than one adult... but I've never once had to rescue a child... Wondering why?

 

[jeckyll]

Glad you got past your initial panic.

While agree with rapidiver that some people shouldn't dive, I think that making that kind of analysis over the internet is not possible.

If you are comfortable at a certain speed of instruction, spend some extra time in the pool and see if you adapt. Once you are comfortable in the pool, then proceed to open water.

I had problems initially (never snorkeled before, the whole thing was just a bit much and felt rushed). I worked one on one with an instructor and found the same thing that a few people here mentioned: It was the sitting there without something to do that made me uncomfortable. After that class I had no more problems and managed to catch up to my group for the open water dives and haven't worried about it since.


If you can get to that point, then don't let that intial reation throw you. If you think that you'll panic at 50+ feet when considering diving even after getting comfortable in the pool, seen rapidivers response again.

Just my $0.02

Bjorn

 

[cleung]

For your ears, you might try to determine whether you are congested. I couldn't equalize my ears during my first pool session either but I know that I'm congested all year round due to allergies. My instructor suggested taking a long acting Sudafed and it worked. I am now a decongestant dependent Master and Rescue diver.

 

[douglasville diver]

My Second Pool Deep End . Going To Do My Skills I Just Learned The Night Before. My Brain Went To A Vapor Lock! I Don't Think Think This To Be Unusual , Just Went Shallow , Calmed Down, And Re-took My Turn. Used Air Like It Was Free For Awhile. Then I Found A Better Way.
Intake One Thousand One, One Thousand Two,one Thousand.exhale One Thousand Three,one Thousand Four,one Thousand Five. Found That Using The The Diaprham Is The Key. Hope It Helps.

 

[Hoyden]

To increase your in-water comfort level you might try Carmeron Martz's Pool Exercises for Developing Water Comfort - http://divefitness.com/html/articles.html - I found them really helpful.

Jackie

 

[RonFrank]

Not generally in a pool, but if you are at depth, and feel like you are not getting enough air, a panic attack followed by a rapid ascent is a big nono...

I would suggest that you work with the snorkel. It's safe, it will get you used to the water, and breathing through your mouth. Your issue is in your head, so you need to work on becoming more comfortable breathing UW, and in the water in general.

Swim laps, exert yourself, and get used to breathing through the mouth in a situation where if you do feel paniced, you can put your head on the surface and breath normally.

Once you can do a few dozen laps with an snorkel, then maybe you will feel better about breathing with a regulator. Another thing to remember is that you ARE getting what you need with the regulator even if you mind seems to think that you are not. Deep breaths, 3~4 seconds inhale, then the same exhale. You are in control of this, and your breathing should be relaxed, and controlled. Short breaths are going to lead to O2 deprevation, and you will panic as you will NOT be getting enough O2 into your system.