Responses to specific Questions
This is a common question I hear from people who have experienced a distressing problem while diving and from (usually novice) divers who are anxious about how long their air will last. It can also be connected to concerns about buddies or letting the group down. If you are reading this, Continue reading I’m concerned I could run out of air scuba diving, should I get a spare supply?
Six areas you can change to help use less air when scuba diving Below are six areas that influence what you do, and your experience as a diver. Click on the area to read more about changes you can make to use less air when scuba diving. .. your thinking Thinking about air consumption on a dive? Don’t! It increases stress a little. Heart & breathing increase, so you use a little more air. Accept your air consumption for what it is; it WILL improve. … the situation Consider what can be changed. Dive sites that are shallower? Less affected by strong current? Or change your kit, proper weighting & trim can reduce how much air you use. … … Continue reading How can I use less air when scuba diving?
It is not unusual to be nervous before scuba diving, especially if you are new or just learning. It can also happen if you’ve had a break or are taking on a new challenge. Being excited, nervous or apprehensive about a dive can sometimes feel a bit much, and you just want to calm yourself and get in the right mindset to enjoy the dive, … Continue reading Nervous before scuba diving, what should I do?
Freaking out when scuba diving is understandable As a new scuba diver, it is not unusual to get a bit freaked out at some point. It can happen during training, or maybe not till 10, 20, 50 … dives in. It’s hardly surprising though, because we are going into an extreme environment. We can’t breathe. Everything looks kind of weird and strange things can happen. … Continue reading Why am I freaking out when scuba diving, for no reason?
Divers frequently talk to me about the difficulties they have had with anxieties in scuba diving. Struggling to scuba dive in training is not unusual. Once, I talked to a woman who had not managed to complete her open water training, but had faced some difficult conditions on the course dives. She said: “It was really hard, but I toughed it out and got through … Continue reading Struggling to learn to scuba dive, should I tough it out?
You know that you want to go scuba diving, and put a lot of time and effort into getting ready for the dive. You were excited about getting back under the water and looking forward to what you might see. But, when you see the thumbs down signal and go to press your deflate button, you suddenly find it really hard to let yourself slip … Continue reading Why do I feel panicky when descending underwater?
Your ability to flood and clear, or remove and replace your mask is an important part of being a scuba diver, and essential to be a calm, safe diver. However, these scuba mask skills are sometimes a bit of a challenge. In this article, explore some of the issues divers have with mask skills and how psychology can help you be okay with, and without, … Continue reading How can I get more comfortable with the scuba diving mask skills?
Because your mind and body sense a threat We are underwater. We would not survive long without our scuba equipment. Experiencing emotions like anxiety and fear is perfectly normal. These emotions are our signals to detect problems. But anxiety can sometimes get out of control, and its useful to reflect on the question “why do I panic underwater?” We have an instinct for survival. We … Continue reading Why do I panic underwater?
Most of the time, a scuba diver who panics will be probably be lucky enough to escape without injury. But that is not always the case, because panic is a state that makes people do strange things. The instinctive actions of someone in a panic underwater can make them a danger to themselves or other people. So what happens if you panic while scuba diving? … Continue reading What happens if you panic while scuba diving?
Gas narcosis in scuba diving Narcosis in scuba diving, “gas narcosis” or “nitrogen narcosis”: this is the change in thinking and awareness, sensory and motor function and behaviour that occurs at depth. Breathing gas at depth leads to narcosis, often noticed around 30m it can be an issue from around 20m and below. Narcosis: a state of stupor, unconsciousness, or arrested activity produced by the influence of narcotics or … Continue reading Nitrogen narcosis in scuba diving and why we don’t call it that anymore
