Are you beginning to scuba dive? If so, it should be an amazing experience. Some people like the sense of freedom and discovery that comes along with diving, but for others, the transition to life underwater is not too easy. Divers who are just beginning often experience difficulties during training or the months after training. Divers should try and overcome these issues so they don’t escalate to the point where they give up rather than face the same challenges over and over again.

Here are a few of the most common problems faced by new divers and how you can overcome or address them:

Mask Clearing

For many beginners, mask clearing is one of the most challenging skills. At times, water floods into the mask and that sensation often triggers panic. Our brain makes us think that the risk of drowning is near and our first instinct is to swim blindly to the surface. Like many things in life, the key to mastering mask clearing is practice. Have your instructor spend extra time working on the skill with you and get used to breathing underwater without your mask on. Practice inhaling through your regulator and exhaling through your nose until the feeling of water on your face becomes normal. Next, practice allowing a small amount of water into your mask and clearing it.

Fear and phobias

Sometimes a diver masters the basic skills, but psychological factors get in the way. Existing phobias can be exaggerated underwater, such as claustrophobia, the feat of small spaces, and agoraphobia, being fearful of open spaces. To control fear underwater, stay within your comfort zone. If your fear or anxiety is triggered by unusually deep dives or a strong current, don’t sign up for dives that involve those factors. Take the time to identify the source of your fear and address it.

For expertise help and classes, visit SPE Dive School today or give us a call at 301-657-2266 with any questions you may have. The adventure begins with us!