Want to say hello

zoemye · 08-26-2008, 11:16 PM

I'm new to this site, and am thinking of trying diving as a hobby. Only one problem...I'm claustrophobic and although I'm a strong swimmer, I'm afraid of choking to death by breathing in water.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

**MgicTwnger** · 08-27-2008, 10:28 AM

First of all, welcome to our little community.
About your concerns: it's not uncommon. After all we are land animals, and breathing underwater goes against our instinctual behavior.
Check around at your local dive shops for one that offers a "Try Scuba" program or something similar. This will give you a taste of diving in a closely supervised situation. You will find out if you are cut out for this before you invest a lot of time and money.
Good luck!

P3R3 · 08-27-2008, 06:43 PM

it takes some practice, but in time you will get used to it.

zoemye · 08-27-2008, 06:56 PM

Dear P3R3,
I appreciate the support. How long have you been diving and where especially do you like to go?

**dalehall** · 09-07-2008, 03:35 PM

zoemye, Welcome to the site..
A "Discover Scuba: is an excellent place to start..
Just so you aren't alone, when I did my "Discover Scuba" a few years ago, when I put my face in the water for the first time with the regulator, I could make myself take a breath. It was completely un-natural and I had to mentally will myself to breathe in. I have never really been claustrophic, but the act of breathing underwater freaked me out and I had all kinds of trouble dealing with it. Fortunately, I did will myself to deal with it that day, THOUROUGHLY enjoyed my actual dive and 2 1/2 years later, I'm coming up on 100 dives, my Divemaster rating and have been able to dive wrecks like the Oriskany and the U-352. It's been an awesome ride and it's not stopping anytime soon.