Uncomfortable situation

[hopeitsapar]

during my openwater everything was great, but I then did a dive that was more advanced than what I was ready for caused me alot of discomfort. Since then there is a moment of "what the hell am I doing" moment on almost every dive. Once I get down everything is great.

My question is how do you get over that strange feeling. I love diving, but it is that initial discomfort of going down that causes that moment of concern. What do you do to get rid of that lack of comfort?

 

[H2Andy]

well, first off, don't do dives that are too much for your level of comfort =)

just keep doing dives you are comfortable with, and this feeling should pass as
you gain experience and confidence.

any expansion should be a slight rise, followed by a plateau where you
get used to the new demands. then another rise, followed by a plateau,
and so on...

keep challenging yourself, but in baby steps

 

[Cacia]

focus on a task. Even if it is just a mantra of things to check or think about. and then just march your mind through the steps. Best wishes!

oh yea, what andy said.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

It's not a bad feeling. Try removing any value judgment of "good" or "bad." It simply means that you have gained a new respect and appreciation for the fact that you are doing something that has an element of risk to it. You can use it to make yourself a more careful and conscientious diver. Good luck!

 

[Daylonious]

Well, I may be speaking out of turn but there are several ways to reduce stress while diving.

1) Ask questions - if you're not comfortable with certain equipment or are unclear on some procedures, ask! Your divemaster will be happy to go over the dive site, conditions, equipment, etc..

2) Breathe - take a moment to relax. Deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth can be very calming.

3) I've found that it's good to have your equipment set up well in advance of the time to "drop into the water." That way you're not rushed and stressing (and hot!) trying to get all the straps and zippers and crapola on just right with people waiting on you.

4) Review what you're going to do in your mind before you do it. "Okay, i'm going to grab that with my left hand shuffle forward, giant stride off with my right foot first". Picture yourself accomplishing those tasks and doing them well. Sometimes it's uncertainty about "what do I do now?" that can cause you a moment of panic. It's also a good idea to ask youself "Okay, if bad situation A happens, I'll do solution B". It's better to have thought of what you're going to do ahead of time, then trying to wing it on the spot.

5) If you still feel uncomfortable about a dive after doing all that, you can always say "No." We've all been there, and the "follow the pack" mentality if you're diving out of your comfort zone can get you into trouble.

Anyway - those are just some tips I'd recommend - there are many more experienced people than me on here that no doubt have some better suggestions.

Hope that helps!

D.

 

[MantaRey]

Hmmm that's a tough thing to gauge over an online forum. It's kinda something that you need to decide for yourself. So far, it hasn't stopped you from diving, that could either mean it's lack of judgment or just plain normal anxiety. The anxiety is probably more common than people care to admit. Usually it's more excitement than anything. For example; it's been a long week and I'm anxious, or we're about to drop in on one of my favorite spots: typically the reaction is increased heartrate, but it calms down once you hit the water. Just excitement that you're about to have a good time.

As far as it possibly being a genuine concern: I would recommend diving with an experienced buddy or better yet a dm/instructor who can watch you and how you act in the water. If you're giving signs that you're discomfort may affect your safety they might be able to help you.

But as said before; stick to things you are prepared for until you're ready to move on.

 

[Kim]

What exactly do you mean by "more advanced than what I was ready for "? Was it a depth issue....strong current....something went slightly wrong and made you feel vulnerable etc?
The point is that scuba diving is NOT the natural state of air breathing human beings. By training and practice we convince our subconcious that we are safe enough and everything is OK, but it only takes a wobble somewhere to bring all your survival instincts right back to the surface and create the "what the hell am I doing" message. It's simply you trying to keep you alive - nothing wrong.
How do you get over it? Well.....you have to gently lull it back to rest so that your basic instincts regain trust in your trained instincts - trust that although part of you has no right to be where you are, because of what you know, have practiced, your gear etc etc it's going to be OK. I think that the only way to do that is to keeping diving EASY dives well within your comfort zone and capability - so that you always know that if you needed to you can simply bail and call the dive....and stay safe - and then slowly build it up as you go. Push the edge a little further only when you really feel like you'd enjoy it - and don't push it very far in one go. Only this sort of repetition and constant reinforcement that you're fine is going to send the demons back to their beds. Small steps forward can be easily undone by a large leap that knocks your progress in confidence building. There's no rush - you don't have to dive the Doria next week.....and it's not a competition.

edit: others were posting as I was writing so some of my comments are just repetition! still - it shows lots of people agree!

 

[rawls]

Annnxxxietttyyy...I'm not clear on whether this is happening every time you dive or only when you are outside your experience level? If it's only when you go outside your experience level then...what H2Andy said...If it's all the time...try to do some soul searching. Try to figure out the source of your anxiety. Are you afraid of what you might run into once you get to depth. That could be a possiblity since you are ok once you get to depth. Fear of the unknown...Find the source Hans...

 

[havnmonkey]

First of all diving is not natural... it completely messes with our senses. It's harder to breathe; you can't really tell where sounds are coming from; you definitely can't smell; you can't touch or feel a whole lot. So what does that leave you with? Sight goes away with low viz, so all you have left is your brain.

If everything is done within the limits, dive tables amd training, your brain is what keeps you grounded.

For example my first offshore dive (outside of crystal clear tropical water) had viz of no more than five feet... 65 feet deep. My buddy was 10-15 feet away, I couldn't see him but we could hear each other breathe and tap on our tanks. We couldn't tell where eachothers sounds were coming from. I'm sitting on my knees on the sand in really cold water, alone... But I knew that I was in control, I knew my equipment was good, and I knew where I was (ten miles offshore & 65 feet down).

Being alone for that period of time was not the weirdest thing I experienced; on my descent & ascent I could not tell whether I was going up or down nor could I tell whether I was horizontal or vertical. The silty particles seemed to float with me and the depth guage looked unreal; it said I was ascending but my body rejected that notion. Outside of 15' it didn't get lighter or darker. It reminded me of that disoriented feeling when you wake up from a dream.

You have to trust your equipment and keep your wits about you. The only thing that can hurt you is a bad decision.

 

[PerroneFord]

I wonder what people jumping off the boat to do the Doria for the first time think...

The first time I wore doubles and a stage, I got out of the water, sat on my butt on the dock, and HONESTLY appraised whether or not I was cut out for this "diving thing".

Don't let it get you down. What did it for me, was SIGNIFICANTLY increasing my proficiency. I spent hours in a pool and in shallow water doing basic skills. I still do them. I want to do them so well that when something goes wrong, my mind goes on automatic mode. Am I a great diver? No. But I'm working to be. And every time I get in the water, I get a little better. That's where you have to go.