Don’t get me wrong, not every scuba instructor is great with helping people through fear, but when you find one, they’ll give you the tools to do what you thought impossible.

Being nervous to get certified is a common feeling for non-divers, but it doesn’t have to keep you out of the water.

In case you need some encouragement, here are some reasons why scuba diving isn’t as scary as it might seem:

1. Scuba diving is highly regulated and standardized worldwide. Training agencies have strict safety protocols that focus on prevention and risk management.
2. Divers are trained to handle problems so they don’t become emergencies. Skills such as mask clearing, regulator recovery, and controlled ascents are practiced repeatedly during the open-water course. Each skill builds on the previous one, so complexity only gets introduced once you’re comfortable with the previous step.
3. You’re never alone. The buddy system means someone is always watching out for you and ready to assist if needed.
4. Modern dive equipment is extremely reliable and built with redundancy.
5. Most dives are conservative and well within recognized safety limits. Computers track your dive in real time to help prevent decompression sickness.
6. Your early dives happen in calm, controlled water. Training starts in pool-like conditions before moving to open water.
7. Serious incidents are rare. When divers stay within their training, maintain their equipment, and follow basic guidelines, scuba has a strong safety record. Most accidents are actually related to preexisting health issues rather than scuba itself.
8. Preparation is part of the culture. Dive planning, safety checks, and clear communication are encouraged as standard practice before every dive.
9. Emergency support systems exist worldwide. Organizations like Divers Alert Network (DAN) provide medical information, evacuation support, and insurance.
10. Competence reduces fear and leads to confidence. New divers report that once they are comfortable with the gear and finish appropriate training, the fear fades and curiosity for the underwater world takes over.

I truly believe that if you dive enough and you are honest with yourself, you will experience fear at some point in your diving career. And guess what? It’s totally normal and ok. You can still be a great diver. You just might need a little more support in areas that trigger you.

I was reminded of this during my last BAJA DIVE EXPEDITION. We had brand new divers working through some challenging internal battles to get certified. And these weren’t just the usual nerves about taking off their mask underwater. There were deeper struggles at play.

Scuba diving is weird. It’s a quiet adrenaline sport, so typically when you’re getting challenged, it’s just you and your mind. Unless you’re diving in extreme conditions, you won’t have the intensity of your environment to distract you from being afraid. You are forced to face yourself; witness your fear, locate where it sits in your body, and feel it in its entirety. I covered some practical techniques for managing stress in the body in a previous video linked here.

During the Open Water Course in Mexico, I saw students BLOSSOM from their first breath in the pool to completing their 4th certification dive. Their efforts were rewarded with stunning underwater encounters and connections with their classmates, making lifelong memories with new friends.

It’s one of my favorite things to see.

Why? Because I, too, am a naturally anxious person. People I meet in person are usually surprised when I share this fact because I’m pretty even-keeled. I have had a lot of practice softening my anxiety over the years, and I lead a pretty peaceful life these days. However, when I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone, that familiar fear response comes back, and I have to use my tools just like everyone else.

My plea to the diving community is to leave your ego in your bed the morning of a dive. I want to hear people be honest with each other. I want to hear people share how they really feel. I want to hear people admit when they don’t know something. That is how we build a supportive community in this sport, and it’s how we become better.

See what trips are coming up. I always give my community first dibs on spots, so you can sign up for Patreon (and get trip discounts) or my email list to be the first to know about new expeditions in the future.