Those who fear going near large water bodies suffer severe anxiety when they’re at sea. Being in the presence of a water body as massive as the ocean is enough to knock the living daylights out of some people. 

A phobia is an irrational fear of an object (in this case, water) that’s disproportionate to the threat it causes to your life and wellbeing. Some would argue that drowning is a life-threatening accident but looking at the sea won’t drown you. 

This condition not only makes you miserable on beach trips but also deprives you of the life-changing adventure of scuba diving. Given that it’s a deep-sea sport, preparing yourself for that is a milestone. It requires rigorous practice, help, and reassurance from the experts supervising the sport. 

Here are some tips that’ll help you overcome aquaphobia. 

There’s no shame in seeking professional help for your condition. Aquaphobia can be prompted in early childhood or adult life by a traumatic incident at a water site. You could’ve had an accident at the community pool or fell into the water while kayaking. Such experiences can spur fear of water that soon grows out of hand.  

A cognitive-behavioral therapist can help teach the difference between fight or flight response. With their help, you can manage the distorted reactions or disruptive thoughts you experience when you see a triggering stimulus.

They also work on your emotional stability when you’re near a water body and help you reflect on your emotional responses in a fear-inducing situation. The goal is to boost your confidence and calm your hysteria if you’re surrounded by water or in it.

Knowing that you’re in safe hands takes half of your stresses away. Nobody wants to trust their lives with an amateur or even someone who can’t give them the reassurance they need. Sometimes you just want to be told that you’ll be fine for you to believe it. 

An experienced scuba-diving instructor will brief you about the procedure before taking you on the site. They’ll give you details before you begin, such as the depth of water, duration of the dive, etc. Once that’s done, they’ll educate you about the safety precautions they administer during the dive.

You’ll be provided some tools to use in case of an emergency underwater so that someone may be able to help you. They’ll reiterate all of these pointers once they’ve gone over them. 

These experts will also show you the practical application of all the safety measures and how exactly to use them. They’ll be with you throughout the time you’re underwater, to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment. 

Don’t rush into anything. Starting in a rush will only add to your anxiety about going underwater. You need to try your hardest to bring your heart rate down to normal. For that, you need to slow down and allow your body to stabilize at a comfortable pace. 

Fear is best controlled when you let the rising hysteria settle. Acting impulsively to flee the site will only aggravate your emotional distress. Remember to start with baby steps.

Want to trust the best agency for your first-time scuba diving? 

We’re the leading scuba diving center in Aqaba, and our instructors would be honored to have you on board our boat trips. Our scuba diving packages Aqaba cater to individuals with specific requirements, and we’ll find something for you. Book us now.