Panicking while scuba diving is a common challenge, specifically for novice divers. However, scuba divers having different experience levels can also face underwater situations that make them panic.

Unfortunately, panicking can be dangerous and even be deadly when scuba diving. So, it’s important to stay calm during your Dives. Follow the next tips to avoid panicking while scuba diving.

How to Avoid Panicking While Scuba Diving

Scuba diving can be an exhilarating experience, but it’s essential to stay calm to ensure both your safety and enjoyment. Here are 3 main tips to avoid panicking while scuba diving:

• Develop emergency procedures.
• Remember to breathe.
• Know the signs of panic.

Develop Emergency Procedures 

The best way to ensure avoiding panicking while scuba diving is to develop an emergency plan for every emergency situation that you can imagine that it can happen underwater, for instance:

• An emergency plan for a shark attack.
• An emergency plan if your equipment fails.
• An emergency plan in case of losing your dive buddy.

Ensure to mentally rehearse these types of emergency situations before scuba diving so you can more likely to stay calm if anything wrong happens and avoid panicking while scuba diving. 

Mentally rehearsing emergency scenarios underwater isn’t the only important thing, you must also rehearse them in the water with your body. Practice the emergency procedures regularly, such as body breathing to always keep your scuba skills sharp when you need them.

Remember to Breathe 

The ability to remember to breathe once something went wrong underwater is considered one of the most important skills needed to avoid panicking while scuba diving.

It’s important to pause a moment and take a few deep breaths to keep you calm. The tried and true method of counting is a good one to use “one, Mississippi, two, Mississippi,..”.

To make sure your breaths are long and steady enough, Just reassure yourself that you know your training well and you will be able to follow it when this challenging moment passes.

Know the Signs of Panic 

You must be aware of the warning signs of panic is that your body gives when you are getting used to panicking while scuba diving, these signs include:

• Accelerating heart rate.
• Short, quick breaths. 
• Feeling like you can’t get enough air.
• Trembling or having butterflies in your stomach.

Each person has a little different feelings, but he must have signs that refer to his tension. If you know your warning signs you can respond to it by taking a minute to take deep breaths and relax to avoid panicking while scuba diving.