Panicking during a dive is not uncommon. This is especially true of novice divers, but divers of all experience levels can face situations that send them into a panic under the surface. Unfortunately, panicking can be very dangerous or even deadly when you are scuba diving. To keep yourself calm during your dives, use the following tips to avoid panicking on a dive.
Develop Emergency Procedures
The very best way to make sure you avoid panicking on a dive is to develop an emergency plan for every conceivable underwater emergency. Rehearse what you will do if a shark attacks, your equipment fails, or you lose your dive buddy. Mentally rehearse these types of critical situations before your dives so that you will be more likely to stay calm and collected if something goes wrong.
Not only is it important to mentally rehearse emergency scenarios, but you also must rehearse them in the water occasionally with your dive buddy. Regular practice of emergency procedures, like buddy breathing, ensures your skills are always sharp when you need them.
Remember to Breathe
One of the most important skills you need to avoid panicking on a dive is the ability to remember to breathe when something goes haywire. Pausing a moment to take a few deep breaths will go a long way towards keeping you calm. Use the tried and true method of counting “one, Mississippi, two, Mississippi…” to ensure your breaths are long and steady. Keep reassuring yourself that you know your training and will be able to follow it once this moment passes.
Know the Signs of Panic
There are warning signs the body gives when you are getting close to panicking. Your heart rate accelerates. You start taking short, quick breaths. You may feel like you cannot get enough air. You might tremble or have butterflies in your stomach. Each person is a little different, but everyone has signs that they are getting tense. If you know these signs, you can respond by taking a minute to relax and breathe deeply to avoid panicking on a dive.
