When you mention that you are scuba diving, you will get many reactions. A common reaction from non-divers will be “OMG, I could never do that, I would be so afraid” and when we talk about scuba diving fears, sharks will be at the top of the list.

But sharks aren’t the only reason to keep people out of the water. Some people have phobias that make them even fear the most harmless fish. Surprisingly, there are some divers who have fears and phobias from things related to the sea, but they don’t let their fear control them.

Today in our article, we will discuss together the common fears divers and others may have and will show you some tips to conquer them.

Common Scuba Diving Fears

As you enter a new world that differs a lot from yours, you will be subjected to many phobias. In this article, you will have a closer look at the top 3 common scuba diving fears, which include:

• Phobias from sharks and other fish.
• Claustrophobia and the fear of wearing restrictive equipment.
• Fears related to the way by which you enter the water.

Phobias from Sharks and Other Fish

This phobia is considered the most common scuba diving fear that prevents many people from the diving adventure. Logically, phobias from sharks and other fish are pretty irrational fears, as how many creatures actually prey on humans? Actually, humans aren’t part of the food chain of any wild creature or at least they are not their primary prey.

Any wild creature has several options in the food chain to feed on. Sharks or any wild creature in the ocean or on earth have no intention to eat humans, on the contrary, these animals are wary of us, as we tend to fight using unfair means with the help of our intelligence.

Most known cases of shark attacks or other animals are a kind of reaction, a means of protecting themselves when they feel a threat to their children or just mistake their identity.

Many reef dwellers give divers little animals that sharks are afraid of, such as eels, scorpion fish, sea snakes, sea urchins, and barracuda, but you just need to think as a shark or a fish. You are now a shark and come across a fairly large strange creature with noisy bubbles blowing around him and carrying scuba equipment, some of them flash bright lights and there is more than one of these creatures would you still swim around them? Surely no.

Claustrophobia and the Fear of Wearing Restrictive Equipment

If you have a claustrophobia, you shouldn’t let it control you and prevent you from diving. If you feel restricted on using the breathing apparatus and the other heavy dive gears, just consider the wide open ocean you dive in to overcome this phobia.

As a beginner diver, try diving in warm clear water at first, as the suit isn’t needed in this case and this will help you feel lighter in weight and less confined than wearing a suit and other diving equipment. The next step is to get used to the scuba equipment at the surface before delving into diving with it, as the familiarization with this equipment at the surface will make you feel comfortable with wearing it underwater.

As a diver with claustrophobia, you should dive in clear and good visibility dive sites, as low visibility sites won’t help you overcome your fear.

Fears Related to the Way by Which You Enter the Water

The back roll off the boat is a simple and efficient maneuver. It is considered the best way used to get a group of divers into the sea at once, as that addresses problematic currents and the lack of mooring facilities of a boat.

Some divers face a problem while entering the sea with this method. At first, they think they may land in the jaws of a waiting shark to overcome this fear, just sit off the edge then back to the water, and before letting gravity take its course, make one quick check behind you. Don’t forget to inflate the BCD, as it helps you to bob tight up to the surface.