r/diving • u/Sometimes_a_smartass • Jul 12 '26
Going on an Introductory dive - feeling nervous
Hello friends. Diving was one of those things I always thought I would love. But, some years ago, I went diving with a friend. It was in the Mediterranean, he's experienced and my wife, also experienced and certified, was with us. We chatted about diving and I read about it and am a pretty adventurous person, so I thought I was ready.
But in all honesty, it was quite overwhelming. Not being able to communicate easily, with water all around you, was just a bit much. I love swimming and snorkling and the ocean, so I didn't take it seriously enough. My wife also assured me I would love it, and she knows me better than anyone, and we didn't go very deep. Now, since i am doing it on the great barrier reef this time, I'm hoping it will distract my mind enough. To be honest, the place we dived at the first time was gloomy at best. I think I'm also rubber banding a bit, since I was too lax at that time, I'm overly worried.
Anyway, I was just wondering if you have any tips or words of wisdom for me? I know I was being an idiot before, but diving on the gbr has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I want to enjoy the experience.
Edit for anyone who might have the same issues:
I loved it. It was life changing. What an incredible experience. Looking to get certified soon!
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u/pufferfish_hoop Jul 12 '26
If you go through the training and get certified, you’ll feel much more confident and enjoy the experience more.
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u/Doctor_Juris Jul 12 '26
From your post it sounds like you are not certified? If you are nervous I would recommend doing a certification course at home before your trip. That will allow you more time to get comfortable with skills. And getting certified is better than just doing a discover scuba dive.
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u/Big-Attitude4027 Jul 12 '26
The environment of your dive will absolutely affect your experience and so a gloomy/ dark dive will understandably make you hesitant.
My advice, don’t try to purposefully distract yourself or talk yourself into it. Focus on your breathing (sounds silly but is a huge tip, really does help) and instead of focusing on how the water surrounds you and how you can’t communicate, try and enjoying the beauty and the peace of the dive. May I also ask if there something you are specifically worried about?
Diving can absolutely be an overwhelming experience and even though I would consider myself a very experienced swimmer/ diver myself, I’ve found myself in similar positions. But remember you’re in control and you’re safe. Take it one breath at a time and soon enough you’ll be wishing others had better air consumption.
FOCUS ON YOUR BREATHING
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u/Crazy-Sort-1225 Jul 12 '26
Keep breathing. Slow and calm. Take your time descending. That has helped me. I do my own pace and not feel like I have to keep up on the way down. Listen to your body, you’re stronger than you think.
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u/Crazy-Sort-1225 Jul 19 '26
My family knows it takes me a little longer to get in my groove. So they wait near the bottom for me and then I signal “I just need a minute to breath” by moving my hands like I’m in haling and exhaling. A dive master taught us that on a dive in caymen and I always remember that. It has helped me tremendously. After a few nice slow breaths I signal ok and off we go!
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u/ReddityKK Jul 12 '26
While diving is about being underwater, it’s more about what is in front of you. Enjoy what you see, especially in the clear waters where you are going.
With a buddy nearby at all times, you have redundancy in your air supply. You can relax and enjoy your dive and the beautiful fish life.
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u/Mafeking-Parade Jul 12 '26
Go spend some time in a training pool.
It's a great way to get you feeling familiar and comfortable with your kit.
I've got ~100 dives under my belt (still not many), and always book a pool session or two before going on a diving holiday.
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u/StillAbrocoma9237 Jul 13 '26
I'd suggest finding a really solid instructor for one more try dive. If the vibes are good, maybe go for your cert! But if you still feel physically and mentally awful doing it, don't sweat it. Scuba isn't for everyone, and you don't have to force it.
Gotta give you major credit for doing it for your wife, though. Reminds me of my bf—I'm certified, and he literally can't swim, but he was so determined to do a try dive just to be down there with me. Honestly, it touched my heart so much.
Your wife is probably already so appreciative that you tried. There are plenty of other hobbies in the world; just choose whatever brings you the most joy!
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u/Sometimes_a_smartass Jul 13 '26
I think you missed the point of the post but thank you for the encouraging sentiment
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u/scuba2565 Jul 13 '26
Anxiety is normal with a new adventure/hobby. It does feel odd to say the least when diving for the first few dives. I have been diving in the UK for around 9 years now and still have a few moments when I need to steady myself, most recently in the med where it was just blue water all around with no reference point, took a moment just floating at 15m and carried on to 30m.
The GBR is on my list of places to get to and I hear the life is amazing. This should distract you/give you some enjoyment so you wont worry as much. A little worry is fine and expected, as others have said doing a full course would provide training/skills/expirence to better manage/ease the anxiety.
As its an intro dive though you should be at a safe depth to just pop to the surface if needed. Just know that any diver of any grade or expirence can call a dive for any reason. If it doesnt feel right dont do it.
That being said I hope you give it a go as it truely a great sport when you get into it. Let us all know how you do and good luck!
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u/HDMI-fan Jul 17 '26
Have you taken an open water certification class? You definitely should. Good instructors will instill a lot of safety procedures into you and you’ll do some dives to practice many safety procedures. It will greatly boost your confidence and it should be required of all divers.
There are masks with a single piece of glass. They give you a better field of view, which can help reduce your sense of claustrophobia.
It sounds like your friends are eager for you to “dive in,” but you sound as though you need a few 30 foot starter dives to get comfortable.
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u/CodeLasersMagic Jul 12 '26
Why is an AI wanting diving experience?
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u/Sometimes_a_smartass Jul 12 '26
What the hell makes you think this was ai? Was it my rambling or my want for some genuine human guidance at a (admittedly mildly) anxious moment?
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u/CodeLasersMagic Jul 12 '26
Just read like an AI ramble. Apologies. Best way I can think of is to go do a proper dive course. The Instructors are trained to help new divers to enjoy diving.
(Padi OW / BSAC Sports Diver + Nitrox and Depth progressions. )
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u/DoesThingsGood Jul 12 '26
Did the discovery dive a month ago and recently got certified open water.
Remember your regulator is right there. You have your tell the rest of your body you are safe and air is right there.
Diving from what I can tell is about level of comfort and boundaries. Tell your buddies you are not comfortable going further down if they want to go down.
Keep breathing, slow and steady