I was just curious if this had ever happened to anyone else. Back about '83 or so when I was in my 20s I decided to become certified. I finished the requirements but due to circumstances beyond my control had to move before I got my card and was never registered to my knowledge. So planning on becoming certified soon again.
Anyway, I began to take lessons, and all was fine. In the pool like a fish in the water. No problems, did everything fine, etc. We went on our first open water dive though, and as soon as my regulator hit the water to go under, I had a panic attack. I wasn't nervous or anxious before going under the water. It just happened out of the clear blue without my conscious mind knowing it was going to happen. It was like the trap door of fear that I had no idea existed opened up deep in my psyche and I panicked. The instructor recognized it and talked me through it, told me to take deep breaths, etc. I finally calmed down after about 5 minutes and after that was totally fine.
Anyone every experienced this? Have any idea about this? I don't expect it to be a problem on my first open water dive again, but I will be on the lookout for it. I just thought it was strange after not having any problem in the pool, etc.
Anyway, I began to take lessons, and all was fine. In the pool like a fish in the water. No problems, did everything fine, etc. We went on our first open water dive though, and as soon as my regulator hit the water to go under, I had a panic attack. I wasn't nervous or anxious before going under the water. It just happened out of the clear blue without my conscious mind knowing it was going to happen. It was like the trap door of fear that I had no idea existed opened up deep in my psyche and I panicked. The instructor recognized it and talked me through it, told me to take deep breaths, etc. I finally calmed down after about 5 minutes and after that was totally fine.
Anyone every experienced this? Have any idea about this? I don't expect it to be a problem on my first open water dive again, but I will be on the lookout for it. I just thought it was strange after not having any problem in the pool, etc.