Comments on: Becoming a Divemaster: The Night I Almost Quit

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 05:25:13 +0000

In reply to Devanshi. Hey Devanshi, I'm sorry to hear that you are so anxious about completing your course! Have you spoken to your instructor about your concerns? I think being honest and communicating well are KEY to succeeding in situations like this. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

By: Devanshi

Devanshi — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 04:38:03 +0000

I recently signed up for OW course but I have claustrophobia and anxiety disorder! I finished confined water skills but going out in ocean terrifies me! Just thinking about the depth and what if I get separated from the rest of the divers worried me and doesn’t let me go into deeper waters. I tend to think more about the scary parts rather than enjoying the beauty of water and the organisms. I am a marine biologist and it’s best if I learn diving but my fears are keeping me away from it!

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 03:36:17 +0000

In reply to Scott. Much appreciated! Night dives are just not for me. I've become a confident enough diver and traveler to fully accept that :)

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 11:57:50 +0000

I hate night dives as well Alex. I remember doing my first ever night dive in Egypt where my regular buddy has to quit the dive right at the start because of ear problems. So I decided to join another buddy pair who I didnt know. I hated it!

I just don’t like the dark, eerie atmosphere, only being able to see what your torch shows you, and how alone you can feel. Needless to say the only other night dive I have done was on the Thistlegorm in Egypt which was quite unique as not many people get to do that at night.

I know it’s three years too late, but I’m sending you a big reassuring hug 🙂

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 05:05:48 +0000

In reply to Cate. I'm sorry to hear that, Cate! Maybe you'd feel more comfortable trying a shore dive next time? Wishing you the best of luck!

By: Cate

Cate — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 21:12:27 +0000

I went diving in Mexico last year, my first ever dive. I had done classes in the pool and watched the dvds, so I assumed I was ready to give it a real try. More than freaked out, I took the leap into the water. I was doing okay, still holding my mothers hand and breathing a little fast. I, too, struggle with anxiety, so this was a big step for me. A little problam can seem out of control. Unfortunately, water kept getting in my mask, and I never totally learned how to solve that problem. This led to a major panic attack and me swiming to the surface as fast as I could and sitting on the boat in silence with an uncomfortable looking boat driver. I’m still scared to go diving again, but your story may have given me the tiniest bit of courage!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 03:11:24 +0000

In reply to Frank. I started diving for the same reason! Well, it was one of them. I wish you luck indeed! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and your plans to get back into diving are underway soon :)

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:40:14 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Alex.

I too have phobias that I’ve had since I was a child. One of them is of deep water (being in water over my head, or walking over it on a bridge). This is one of the reasons I became a certified Open Water diver decades ago: to face my fear. I haven’t been diving in years though. I plan on getting back into it this 2016. I will have to face my fear again, especially during the first few dives or so. Wish me luck. And Merry Christmas Eve Eve! 🙂

Sincerely,
Frank

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 06:30:37 +0000

In reply to kayla fitzgerald.

Hey Kayla! I know how you feel — I wrote this series because it’s exactly what I was looking for when I was researching my own DMT! There are a few IDC programs in Gili Trawangan that are popular though I never looked into any of them so it’s hard to give a recommendation. I’d definitely give two thumbs up to the island overall, though!

By: kayla fitzgerald

kayla fitzgerald — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 23:06:18 +0000

I’m so grateful for you blogs and being able to read another female’s perspective on becoming a divemaster and certain fears to overcome. I’m currently working on my divemaster in Queensland, Australia and looking to move onto Southeast Asia to become an instructor. Any advice on good companies?