I need help with my fear

[scuba Widow]

I am really afraid of the water but I really want to get over that. I was wondering if any of you had any tips.

[greyzen]

Did you happen to read Disneymom's hubbies experience?

[jwdizney]

Originally Posted by scuba Widow

I am really afraid of the water but I really want to get over that. I was wondering if any of you had any tips.

A tip from my own experience... if you have access to a pool, or a shallow swimming area, put on a wetsuit (or not, your call. but even a shorty is an added security blanket...) get some fins, mask and snorkel, and try snorkeling. you'll discover your body's natural tendency to float on the surface, without putting yourself in an uncomfortable element (if it gets freaky, just stand up!)... do that and practice some finning and swimming techniques, all in the shallow water.... then you have something to build upon... baby steps... if it gets uncomfortable, go back a few steps...and take your time! enjoy it! you'll do great!

[Vercingetorix]

If you don't want the expense of a wetsuit, get a snorkeling vest instead. Inflate it and you can snorkel to your heart's content (starting in the shallow end, as JW suggests).

[dallasdivergirl]

Get your husband to fill a tank and you can hang out in some shallow water and have plenty of air and you can just look around at the bottom of the pool or lake.

I have always loved water but until I started using a mask I did *get* how much I was missing until I could see underwater (I have poor vision and have had contacts or glasses from a young age, I couldn't just open my eyes underwater & see)

[scubasavvy]

Scuba Widow,

If you don't mind me asking, what is the extent of your fear? Do you swim? Do you hate swimming? Do you hate water on your face?

[DZorn00]

Originally Posted by jwdizney

A tip from my own experience... if you have access to a pool, or a shallow swimming area, put on a wetsuit (or not, your call. but even a shorty is an added security blanket...) get some fins, mask and snorkel, and try snorkeling.

I would do something like this but maybe leave off the fins. If you are not comfortable with the water the fins may get in your way when placing your feet back on the bottom. It is just like anything else, you just have to get in there and do it. Start off slow then work your way up.

[Disneymom]

take it slow and easy. Baby steps. Are you afraid of big, deep, open water? Or just water in general? To reiturate what JW said, start small and work your way up. Get comfortable with being in it. Get comfortable with having water in your face. It's going to be tougher if you don't have some place handy to do this, maybe you can find a Y. You might look into swimming lessons, too. Just go slow, get comfortable one step at a time before moving on to your next step, and keep finflippers handy at all times.

[diverdad]

JWDIZNEY is right. You need to know were your fear really lies is water or the unknown in the water. My wife likes to swim but it freaks her out if she thinks that the fish might touch her. I have been working with her i even got her to go snorkeling once in Cozumel and once in Cast Away Kay (Disnyey's private island) she did real well until she saw a sting ray. But she wants to do it again.

[scuba Widow]

Originally Posted by scubasavvy

Scuba Widow,

If you don't mind me asking, what is the extent of your fear? Do you swim? Do you hate swimming? Do you hate water on your face?

My fear is a huge one I almost drowned at 6 years old and Have been afraid ever since. I can't swim a lick, but love the feel of the water in general, finflippers says that I like the water on my terms, because I like to play in the shallow parts but have a hard time going under. I really want to learn how to swim and dive so I can go with finflippers, my daughter and eventually our grandson when he learns, but I have tried to put on a mask and really have a hard time breathing. I suffer from panic attacks and freak out rather easily, so I'm not sure how the diving thing will ever happen. My fear was so bad at one time that I hate to get my face in the water during a shower, that has somewhat subsided. I hope that helped to answer your questions.