phobia- sharks

[tempest1218]

I want to try scuba diving, but my fear of sharks is ridiculous. I have always been scared of them, but after reading that bull sharks do sometimes come into shallow water, I cant even let go of my husbands hand in the water ( on the beach). my muscles tense and I feel absolutely TERRIFIED. My husband got me to put on goggles and look under the water. I saw these pretty little fishes swimming in schools all around us. we are going to cancun for a week in less than a week. I very badly want to dive. I want to see more wildlife under water and I have heard there is beautiful wildlife in conzumel. so here is what I want to know. Will I see sharks? If I do, will they come close. How safe is diving and what are the chances of getting bit by a shark? I know that my fear is crazy, but I am having a very hard time getting over it. can someone please give me suggestions for getting over my fear of sharks so that i can go scuba diving?

 

[sasscuba]

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=143883

 

[H2Andy]

Will I see sharks? If I do, will they come close. How safe is diving and what are the chances of getting bit by a shark?

well, fear is illogical (by definition), so you'll have to slowly get used to being
in the water and realizing sharks aren't waiting ready to ambush ... small steps
is the key here.... just keep at it, and slowly, you can overcome your fear

you probably won't see sharks. they know you're there long before you know
they're there, and they try to avoid you.

diving is actually quite safe, and the chances of getting bit by a shark while
scuba diving is infinitesimal. the statistics bear this out.

if there is blood in the water (such as chumming, spearfishing, or open wounds --
menstrual blood does not attract sharks) then things change. the likelihood of
attracting sharks increases, and you are best out of the water.

i know that you probably think that the moment you jump into the water the
sharks will come for you. that's not reality at all! sharks have more pressing
business in the deep than messing with us