90% of diving is mental, and maybe more. You just have to keep calm and remain methodical no matter what’s happening to you. That’s harder than you would think because so many alarming things can happen: your mask might fog up or flood, you might get disoriented, you might feel claustrophobic, you could find the air your breathing a bit tinny, or you could just get hysterical for no reason. Even if you don’t panic and only get nervous, you’ll burn through your air in no time. I am ever thankful that I trained in a quarry where the water temperature was below 50 degrees and visibility was no more than two feet, and no one really knew how deep the bottom was or what equipment might be down there to snag you. No place ever could be as bad as that, so everything else seemed easier.
I agree. When I was 14 I took scuba lessons. In the pool, my mask was knocked off by the instructor. I freaked out. End of scuba for me.
I belive studies have been done that show the biggest killer of experienced divers is drowning. That sounds crazy but panic is tough to stop and control. Cold water and tight places are scarey tough. My event was an experience I managed but I never dove in that spot again. I used more air in 2 minutes or so than the other eight minutes. This will have to be staged with spare tanks along the way. I have never heard depth mentioned. It matters. Prayers for all.
We have the same background. The problem isn’t that the kids can be trained in the rudiments. The problem is that they will have zero experience and so be a Hazzard to themselves and their rescuer. Panic will never be far from their minds. Diving in an overhead environment is no joke.