Category: ASK

Responses to specific Questions

ASK, Being okay with basic scuba skills using psychological tips, SKILLS

How can I use less air when scuba diving?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK

Nervous before scuba diving, what should I do?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, Diver panic and anxiety, Uncategorized

Why am I freaking out when scuba diving, for no reason?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, Diver panic and anxiety

Struggling to learn to scuba dive, should I tough it out?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, Diver panic and anxiety, Uncategorized

Why do I feel panicky when descending underwater?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, Being okay with basic scuba skills using psychological tips, Psychological skills for scuba divers, SKILLS

How can I get more comfortable with the scuba diving mask skills?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, Diver panic and anxiety, STRESS, Uncategorized

Why do I panic underwater?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, Diver panic and anxiety, Uncategorized

What happens if you panic while scuba diving?

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?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, BRAIN, Capacity and awareness, Narcosis, STRESS

What does nitrogen narcosis mean?

Gas narcosis in scuba diving Narcosis in scuba diving 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. What does nitrogen narcosis mean? Narcosis: “a state of stupor, drowsiness, or unconsciousness produced by drugs.” Oxford English Dictionary Narcosis is … Continue reading What does nitrogen narcosis mean?

Dr Laura Walton
ASK, Psychological skills for scuba divers, SKILLS

What are psychological skills and how can they be useful in diving?

The aeroplane accelerated along the runway and as it lifted off I heard “we are going to die, we are all going to die!”.  Nobody had said anything, everything was fine.  The sudden appearance of this phrase in my head is what is known as an “intrusive thought”.  The mind wants to protect us from danger and every so occasionally provides these unwanted and (largely … Continue reading What are psychological skills and how can they be useful in diving?

Dr Laura Walton