H2Andy
Contributor
chickdiver:
what she said
Pschychological blocks?
- Thread starter Tao of the Dive
- Start date
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what she said
Snorkel first... dive second... listen to Chickdiver always. 
I had to get over a fairly serious case of claustrophobia in order to dive. Strangely enough, I'm comfortable in water so I had no trouble in the pool sessions - I could always rip out the reg and race for the surface - but the thought of going to 60' on scuba really freaked me out. The way I got over it was on my first open water dive. It was only to a sandy bottom at 30'. I still reasoned I could hold my breath to the surface if something went wrong (by the way, I did learn I needed to blow bubbles doing that). On this first dive, I was so amazed at the fish I saw, I just decided that I had to keep diving no matter what. I kept going and experience helped me get over it.
I still get freaked out if someone were to put their hand over my mouth and nose for just a few seconds but if I run out of air at 130' - no worries, I would just swim over to my buddy and steal some of her air while keeping an eye out for the next whaleshark.
I still get freaked out if someone were to put their hand over my mouth and nose for just a few seconds but if I run out of air at 130' - no worries, I would just swim over to my buddy and steal some of her air while keeping an eye out for the next whaleshark.
I don't really have an exact solution to your problem. Don't we all wish it could be that easy. But I can tell you a story. I have such bad claustrophobia. So bad at times that I typically cannot ride in elevators unless there is a big glass window, I have put a ring on my finger and it got stuck and that kinda freaked me out, one time (you can laugh if you wish) but I was taking off a sweatshirt and I got stuck in it (don't ask - becasue I don't know) and that was not fun until I got out and realized how funny it was.
But as soon as I got in the water it was natural, I knew that the water was for me and any claustrophobia I had was gone. On my 1st checkout dive some students were sitting on the bottom of the lake and kicked up some nasty, silty mud. Instantly no vis, but for some reason it didn't bother me. I just knew I had this reg in my mouth and to just trust it.
My mother went though a similar situation that your fiancee' is going though. She is very claustrophobic and always thought that she wouldn't be able to do it. But she just took her time and currently the only issue she has is descending because her ears take forever to clear and it really stresses her out.
Keep her comfortable and besure to make the diving as fun and comfortable as possible. Make sure that you tell her she is in complete control of her dive, if she needs or wants to abort let her, there is no shame in having to abort a dive.
good luck and dive safe,
-Matt
But as soon as I got in the water it was natural, I knew that the water was for me and any claustrophobia I had was gone. On my 1st checkout dive some students were sitting on the bottom of the lake and kicked up some nasty, silty mud. Instantly no vis, but for some reason it didn't bother me. I just knew I had this reg in my mouth and to just trust it.
My mother went though a similar situation that your fiancee' is going though. She is very claustrophobic and always thought that she wouldn't be able to do it. But she just took her time and currently the only issue she has is descending because her ears take forever to clear and it really stresses her out.
Keep her comfortable and besure to make the diving as fun and comfortable as possible. Make sure that you tell her she is in complete control of her dive, if she needs or wants to abort let her, there is no shame in having to abort a dive.
good luck and dive safe,
-Matt
OP
Tao of the Dive
Rabid Otter Spotter
Well, to further complicate things... she said that another fear is that she will continuously try to breath through her nose. I suggested a full face mask to her, and her first response was to say she didn't want to have to that kind of expense in order to dive. So I've told her that me and our friend the instructor will just work with her alot on the reg before we even hit the water, and even after we get in the water.
As for snorkeling, shes done htat before i the Bahammas, and the Keys, so thats not a problem. I guessing she just ha some inborn fears about the dangers of diving, and these are sort of a safety blanket for her. All I can do is be patient, and lt her take it at her pace. Which includes aborting if needed.
Tao
As for snorkeling, shes done htat before i the Bahammas, and the Keys, so thats not a problem. I guessing she just ha some inborn fears about the dangers of diving, and these are sort of a safety blanket for her. All I can do is be patient, and lt her take it at her pace. Which includes aborting if needed.
Tao
Nose breathers...
Have her get into the shallow end of a pool (no scuba gear, please) and fill her mask up with water and wear it full of water above the pool. This is how I introduce mask clearing. Carry on a conversation with her while her mask is full. She will learn to NOT breathe thru her nose in a New York minute. Repeat until she is very comfortable with this.
Have her get into the shallow end of a pool (no scuba gear, please) and fill her mask up with water and wear it full of water above the pool. This is how I introduce mask clearing. Carry on a conversation with her while her mask is full. She will learn to NOT breathe thru her nose in a New York minute. Repeat until she is very comfortable with this.
NetDoc:
ayyyy.... andif she makes the mistake to breathe that would be a nasty sting she'll get thru her sinuses that would surely make her swear never to attemptit again. that is if she is not that passionate to get into Scuba.
H2Andy
Contributor
well, there is such a thing as "just listening to her concerns." maybe all she is doing
is expressing her fears. let her get them out, and talk them out.
don't try to fix the problems for her. maybe all she wants is to be able to share how
she feels? tell her that she will have a professional instructor if/when she decides
to learn.
of course, make sure she does =P
is expressing her fears. let her get them out, and talk them out.
don't try to fix the problems for her. maybe all she wants is to be able to share how
she feels? tell her that she will have a professional instructor if/when she decides
to learn.
of course, make sure she does =P
Marebythesea:
Ok, I've just got to ask. What the heck is a "metro-sexual"?
The only thing I can come up with, is someone who loves their "GEO Metro" Car WAY too much. However I'm sure thats not it.
Marebythesea
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pt40fathoms:
LOL A metro-sexual is the "new" man. He's straight, sensitive, well-educated, usually an urban dweller. He takes pride in his body, and like woman, they shave, wax, and take care of their faces with cleaners and moisturizers A metro-sexual may have a standing appointment for a weekly manicure, and he probably has his hair cared for by a stylist rather than a barber. He loves to shop, and his bathroom counter is most likely filled with male grooming products.
I know the picture your getting in your head and don't go there pt40fathoms, these are manly men who are just in touch with their feminine side. Like Tao of the Dive who is "planning a wedding/reception AND offerd to take up scrapbooking" for his honey...heck, she may even be taking up scrapebooking for him! So that's what I understand a Metro-sexual to be...
...and Andy hit the nail on the head with "don't try to fix the problems for her. maybe all she wants is to be able to share how she feels? tell her that she will have a professional instructor if/when she decides to learn." Men do that, they want to fix when we just want them to listen. Hey, you listening to me up there in Manitoba???
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