Scared New Scuba Diver

[Natasha1234]

I am new to this diving stuff, but I am really excited. I have wanted to do this forever, especially for my honeymoon in Cozumel. I am trying to get certified through padi, but everytime I dive under the water I get nervous and want to swim up. I am not afraid of water or getting water in my mask. I have never had claustraphobia. I have no problems descending, I just get nervous being under the water for a long time. How do I conquer this fear?

 

[dherbman]

Keep doing it. Talk to other divers, they will give you a lot to think about other than the bad things that could happen. Find someone you really trust to work with you. Learn all you can and develop an understanding of what it is that really scares you.

Some people have an irrational fear of sharks. Once they identify that fear and educate themselves, they learn there is nothing to fear. Other people may be afraid of the technical aspects of diving. Regulator failure, running out of air and being unable to keep your head above water on the surface would be a few examples. Learning about how a regulator functions, procedures that will prevent you from running out of air and for floating comfortable on the surface would resolve these issues.

So, the short answer: Education and experience.

Welcome to SB. Have any pictures?

 

[Walter]

How do I conquer this fear?

Switch to a class that gives you more time to get comfortable with one skill before moving to another. It's also helpful if you take a class that offers more skills to master. That will give you more confidence in your abilities.

 

[Scuba Brad]

I'm with Walter...........make it comfortable not scary. You dive when your ready.

Happy Diving

 

[GDI]

First of all remember that you are paying the instructor to teach you to dive not just to run you through a series of skills.

Tell the instructor that you need to move at your pace not his/hers

here are some suggestions:
Start by breathing with your face in the water on your snorkel with no mask.
Then do the same thing with the regulator, and no mask

When YOU fell comfortable inflate your BCD and swim at the surface around the pool breathing on your regulator with your mask on. Watch the rest of the class and see how things look from an observer point of view. Do the same thing with your snorkel Try switching back and forth between the two as you as you swim about.
Now again when YOU feel ready let the air out of your BCD, equlaize and swim under water while still watching the rest of the class breathing on your regulator. Move to the deep end and come shallow as you feel comfortable to do so.

When YOU feel comfortable try to do what you think are the easier skills to build on that comfort
before you know it you will feel easier about breathing underwater and start to really have some fun enjoying scuba

 

[ShakaZulu]

Diving is not for everyone, you can always stay on the couch and flip the remote............c'mon now, what are you scared about? You can breath right? I think you'll be ok. By the 5th dive, you'll be fine.

 

[JodiBB]

Natasha...being recently certified myself, one piece of advice that I can give is don't put pressure on yourself to master this in any specific timeframe. You didn't say when your honeymoon is and it would be great if you could get certified by that time, but if you can't...then that's the perfect reason to go back with your husband in the future!!!

Like others here have said...take your time, go slow and don't put the extra pressure on yourself....that pressure could only make things worse, not better and then there could be the disappointment if you don't make your deadline....practice and safety are the keys, not the timeline!!!

Goodluck!

 

[Natasha1234]

Thanks for the advice. I just can't figure out what my problem really is. I don't have a problem doing the skills, but maybe I just need to move slower. The instructors rushed the class so we could get all the pool session done in 2 weeks. I get down to the bottom of the pool and I am ok for a few minutes, then I just get nervous. I think I just need some practice and to trust the equipment.

 

[ch0ppersrule]

Try to keep your mind off of being underwater or how long you are under. Try and make yourself stay under just a little longer each time (even if you really want to surface, just stay under that extra couple of minutes then your mind will realize you are okay and it might help). Tell yourself jokes to keep your mind off things or play rock-paper-scissors with your boyfriend. Your certification dives shouldn't be to long and you will be doing skills that will hopefully keep your mind off the time and you won't panic and want to surface.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

It is not natural for a human to breath underwater. I think it is normal it to take time to get used to this. As with many things in life, more experience/exposure will make it more comfortable to you. I'm new also and I would just suggest that you give it time and be patient. If your instructor isn't patient and doesn't allow you to move along at your own pace, I'd say find another instructor.