Thinking about Scuba. But nervous!

[Cory Marie]

My boyfriend is getting into scuba as well as his dad. His dad is already certified as well as his step mom. And I want to get into it as well. But I am super nervous about it.
What tips do you have for a new diver? I am going to do the discover scuba but I feel like I will have a panic attack! I want to do it Because I love trying new things but its a daunting thing to get into. I am into horse back riding, mountain biking, kayaking, and the likes. Adding scuba would be amazing.
What's the advice out there for people like me?​

 

[Marie13]

Cory, I had some long standing water fears when a friend inspired me to try diving. I did a DSD and really enjoyed it. I found I wasn't all that thrilled with the low visibility at our local quarry when I did my certification dives in early October, but I got past it. I'm still somewhat nervous, especially at a new dive site, but more time in the water will help with that.

Just take it slow and there's no reason to force anything.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

What exactly makes you nervous?

I would suggest taking a discover scuba diving experience at a local pool, so you get feel for breathing underwater. Of course discuss your concern with the instructor and make sure he/she takes them into account. You DSD should probably be 1:1.

 

[MelasLithos]

Hi Cory,

It's totally fine to be nervous, after all, breathing under water is not normal for a human being and is going against thousands of years of evolution.

When with did our OW course (we went directly for it, didn't do a DSD), the first time my buddy went under water ("confined water", but in shallow area of the sea), she had a full blown panic attack, even throwing her regulator out of her mouth. Our instructor reacted super quickly and helped her through with it. After surfacing and giving her some time to gather back her spirit, we continued with our confined sessions without any more issues.

After that, each time we went on dive trips together, the first descent has always been a bit difficult for her, but she is getting less and less nervous. The first couple of times, she did panick slightly. Now, she is only slightly nervous. So it is something that improves with time and experience.

So what I wanted to get that is that it's OK to be nervous, you can even panick under the water and survive it ^^ (better warn your instructor in advance that you are nervous though, I think he'll appreciate the forewarning), and if you enjoy your DSD and want to continue diving after that, don't worry, you will feel better with each dive. And be careful, diving might quick become an obsession!

 

[chubadoodman]

Hey cory! Its great that you are interested in taking up diving, it truly is an experience like no other. My advice to you would be to stay relaxed. Remember to breathe nice and easy while taking in the amazing fact that you're breathing underwater!

best of luck and let us know how it goes

 

[TMHeimer]

You didn't mention your water activities. Do you swim well, snorkel? Proper swim technique is not vital for scuba, but is something you should have if doing anything in water deeper than waist level. Open eyes underwater OK? Breathing through mouth with nose in water (exposed, not in mask)? I found that people who are not "water experienced" have considerably more trouble with scuba. Others more often breeze through the course.

 

[diversteve]

My advice is don't do it in Indiana...lol. A cold water quarry/lake dive is often pretty boring without a specific goal - like a deeper than you can go placed wreck, Plus the cold and in an ill-fitting wetsuit rental wetsuit that will seem constricting due to the thickness required to keep you warm. All combine to make it a marginal experience - esp. if the visibility is low.

If you can afford to do so - somewhere warm in Florida off a beach instead and you'll be hooked. A warm, clear, deep pool locally is an option also. Many shops with indoor pools often are 12-15' deep or more. I'm not sure if you can do a real DSD but it will give you a good idea of what to expect. My friend teaches and she says occaionally people have trouble when there's no walls in the ocean.

As others mentioned, be upfront with your concerns with the Intructor. 1to1 might be best also if possible.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Corey Marie,

Great name !

I note you are a product of the southern part of the Hoosier state, Indiana. I was also born in SoIndy-- on the same day as you -many years apart. The only reason I was born in Indiana was because it was necessary to be near my mother at birth for I am a true blue Californian almost all my long life.

I will not attempt to provide any more guidance than the previous well intended posters have provided for their information is certainly valid.

However should you need encouragement from a broken down fellow Hoosier born diver feel free to contact me. I suspect I can help you in some small even perhaps large way

Should you require additional information about me it is suggested that you google my name with the prefix or suffix either SCUBA or diver.

SDM

 

[Chip Elliott]

Corey Marie, I took my class with a friend who shared your same initial nervousness. The instructor was great and the pool sessions really made him feel comfortable and reassured. Give it a try! Don't rush. If you are feeling nervous let your instructor know. It's a lot of fun and I think you will do well.

 

[Ed Baker]

Hi Cory,

The way I taught most of my family was through snorkeling. In a lot of ways Snorkeling and Diving are the same as far as the breathing goes. My wife is also scared of diving. She does great in a Pool but will not do the sea. DSD is a great start My daughter did that. She actually started with the bubble maker program and went on from there to Jr. Open Water to Jr. Advanced Open Water. I have taken a lot of new people diving with me and I have never once run across anyone who once the fear was gone, takes a sec or two, didn't love it. Best of luck to you and always remember there is a remarkable, beautiful world down there