Panic Attacks

[jimmysdevoted]

Panic attacks
I have a small problem that may seem rediculous to others. But maybe others have experienced it.
I am nearsighted as a bat. I wish I had their radar though. And I went with hubby, daughter and their instructor to a quarry where they are taking advanced trainings. I went snorkeling and the instructor had be practice some important things. Well the normal dive platform is only 20 feet below the surface. A normal snorkel dive I would do up here at the lake with no problem. I just could not see the bottom. When I saw how far the platform was from my ability to stand up I had a panic attack.
Now the instructor was calm and she told me to come back in and I did. I stayed at the 10 foot mark for the rest of the day. She explained that a snorkel vest not a horse collar would help give me confidence to go out deeper. Now I have no problem swimming the bottom and coming up at 20 feet or even 30 feet which I have done!
But seeing it from above it seems different.
I have a BC, but I am also going to get a ScubaPro cruiser vest. It seems the low profile is less suffocating than a horse collar.

[Capt Hook]

Have kind of the same problem - I don't like being on the surface in deep water! If it's somewhere with clear water and I can see the bottom, no problem. But if I can't see the bottom I am not comfortable. I have learned to deal with it, but it's still not comfortable.

[diverdad]

I had a similar experience on my discovery dive in jamaica i back rolled out of the boat and i was fine until i looked down. I got a bad case of vertigo and im not afraid of heights what i do if it happens i close my eyes and consintrate on my breathing.

[DennisW]

Panic can affect anyone, even experienced divers. Unusual situations, loss of visibility, Nitrogen Narcosis, etc., etc. can bring on a panic attack. The secret is to recognize the situation early, slow your breathing, and then think about the problem at hand and deal with it. Sounds easy, it's not.

If you are having problems seeing already, then I can understand your anxiety. Do you have a mask with prescription lenses? If not, then you need to buy a mask that can have the lenses inserted. Hopefully your mask has this capability. I have -2.5 diopter lenses in my mask, they are available in .5 diopter increments to almost any level. And, they aren't too expensive, about $33 per lense. I suspect the snorkel vest wasn't the real issue, it may have been your ability to see very well, based on the lead in to your post.

[Mtrewyn]

I don't like not being able to see the bottom, that is why "wall" dives are so hard for me to do, I have to look at the wall only and not think about their fact that there is no bottom on the other side.

[dallasdivergirl]

I wear my contacts with my mask. I would be so lost with out them.

I also carry a back up mask in my pocket, just in case.

I think the prescription idea is a good on if you are a glasses wearer or carry them with you. I don't & I wouldn't think trying to get the contacts in & out in a boat situation would be ideal.

[jo8243]

The first step is to realize that your fear is irrational. Once you accept that it doesn't matter whether or not you can see the bottom, you will be fine.

[ccarter]

Originally Posted by Mtrewyn

I don't like not being able to see the bottom, that is why "wall" dives are so hard for me to do, I have to look at the wall only and not think about their fact that there is no bottom on the other side.

I never had a problem with not seeing the bottom but I guess I can see why some people would. That was one of the coolest feelings on my first deep dive.. looking out from the anchor rope and just seeing nothing but blue..

Originally Posted by jo8243

The first step is to realize that your fear is irrational. Once you accept that it doesn't matter whether or not you can see the bottom, you will be fine.

Agreed. We as humans tend to fear things that make no sense to be afraid of and end up handling the situation opposite of how we should.

[greyzen]

I suppose I'mjust forgiving of landscape...
No offense to anyone, but I'm seriously trying to wrap my mind around why seeing the bottom would matter.

Sitting in lake travis looking into the black depths, I just feel all calm and peaceful...

Having 150' vis will be nice, but not really all that interesting to me...

[Scuba-Bill]

Originally Posted by greyzen

I suppose I'mjust forgiving of landscape...
No offense to anyone, but I'm seriously trying to wrap my mind around why seeing the bottom would matter.

Sitting in lake travis looking into the black depths, I just feel all calm and peaceful...

Having 150' vis will be nice, but not really all that interesting to me...

I'm with you on this one -- I have not yet had an issue in deep water clear or not.

One of my dive buddies has issues and cannot look down until after he starts to descend. He will not do night dives period.