Despite the excitement that comes with wreck diving, the potential for stress and panic exist. Having the right mental attitude can make all the difference. Mental preparation should be part of every dive, and developing the right mindset will serve you well no matter what kind of diving you ultimately do.
Mindset Development for Wreck Divers
Is wreck diving terribly difficult? In most cases, the answer is no. It’s no more difficult than any other type of diving. So why is it important to develop the right kind of mindset? To answer this question, let’s take a look at the definition of the term “mindset,” as applied to scuba diving:
A diver’s mindset is a habitual and characteristic mental attitude that plays a major role in determining how you are likely to interpret situations and respond to them.”
In terms of wreck diving, mental attitude is supported by a systematic method of organizing equipment and planning each dive. With the right mindset, you’ll be much more likely to remain safe, and you will get more enjoyment out of each and every wreck you explore.
The Right Mindset for Preparation
Preparing for any dive takes time. Foster a mindset that focuses on paying complete and total attention to the preparation process, as distractions can precipitate mistakes that could ultimately lead to a diving accident – even a fatal one. You probably know how long it takes you to prep your equipment and plan a dive, so block that time off in your schedule and make preparation and planning as much of a priority as the actual dive.
Mental Attitude for Wreck Diving
Understanding how and why diving accidents happen is one of the first steps in mentally preparing yourself for safe wreck diving. Know that stress compounds problems, and reassure yourself that you know exactly where your alternate air source and backup lights are located and how to operate them. Recognize that you have practiced for emergency situations countless times, and reassure yourself that you’ve properly planned for the dive by familiarizing yourself with the wreck’s layout in advance.
Cool heads prevail in emergencies. Your wreck diver training has prepared you to penetrate wrecks, encounter darkness, and make your way through stirred up silt. You’ve been in tight places before, and you know that allowing feelings of claustrophobia to take over can lead to stress. Remind yourself that you have the ability to deal with all of these situations and more with cool confidence, and that if they should arise, you can take the steps necessary to get yourself to safety.
Finally, consider others who are participating in the dive with you. If someone feels uncomfortable with a situation, respect those feelings and get to safety. At the same time, don’t give in to peer pressure and overreach the boundaries of your training, experience, gut feelings, and common sense. Remind yourself of the old adage, “If in doubt, stay out of the situation.”
Staying calm no matter what the situation can be difficult at times, but remaining cool, calm, collected, and in control is an absolute necessity that will help prevent panic, prevent excess air consumption, and allow you to surface safely and live to dive another day.