How I Overcame My Fear of Diving - and You Can Too

Kathryn_Curzon

I was not born a scuba diver. In fact, for years, I was terrified of it. I became a certified diver just two months after my mother passed away. I was 31 at the time - not exactly the age most people decide to confront their deepest fears. But losing her reminded me just how precious life is, and I made myself a quiet promise to overcome my fear of diving so I could keep swimming with sharks.

At the time, I had already swum with sharks on snorkeling trips around the world, but I had run out of places I could visit without a scuba license. That was my motivation: a bigger dream waiting beneath the surface. Still, it took every ounce of courage to book my Open Water Diver course in the middle of an English winter. The training was in a freezing inland quarry. It was dark, cold, and, at times, brought me to tears behind my mask.

I hated the feeling of water in my nose. I was stressed at the thought of removing my mask and clearing it underwater. And I was convinced I was not cut out for it. But thanks to my patient instructor and a stubborn little voice in my head that said you can do this, I made it through. And somewhere between those shivery dives and that final exam, I learned the first lesson of scuba diving: your limits live mostly in your head.

Keep Going - Even When It Feels Impossible

After I earned my Open Water Diver certification, I swore I swore I would never do another course. But I knew I had to, if I wanted to really feel at home underwater. So I kept going - Advanced Open Water, then Rescue Diver, both in the chilly, choppy waters of North Cornwall.

The Rescue Diver course was a turning point for me. Many divers say it is their favorite, and I agree. It gave me real confidence in my abilities and showed me how to help others - which, in turn, helped me trust myself.

Even so, I still carried fear with me into every dive. I realized the only way to truly overcome my fear of diving was to go all in - and so, I did. I decided to become a Divemaster and then a Dive Instructor.

Kathryn_Curzon

Ready to dive in? Get the essentials in SSI's guide to Scuba Diving for Beginners

Find What Works for You

By now, I had learned something important about fear: it needs to be approached the way you need to approach it - not how anyone else tells you to. So, I took several steps that made sense for me.

I worked on my nervous system. I did a course of hypnotherapy, which helped. I learned visualization techniques. I even went back to basics - practicing with my dad in a swimming pool, slowly teaching myself to swim underwater without holding my nose shut, stroke by stroke.

My Dive Master instructor used positive psychology: "Do not worry about remembering everything right now," he told me. "Just relax and let it sink in." It worked. 

When I froze one day, unable to put my face underwater, he calmly tossed his expensive dive watch into the pool. "Go fetch it." Something about that snapped me out of my head. I did fetch it - and then I did it again. And again. Until it felt like second nature.

That lesson stuck: break it down, keep it playful, and take one step at a time.

Overcoming Your Fear of Diving Starts Before Certification

One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you do not have to start with a full Open Water Diver course. SSI offers introductory programs like Try Scuba and Scuba Diver, designed to build your confidence underwater, step by step. 

These smaller, focused experiences are ideal if you are nervous - they let you get comfortable at your own pace before committing to a full certification.

Taking the time to ease into diving can make a huge difference, and it is worth talking to an SSI dive centerabout the best option for you.

You can also find encouragement and advice from other divers online. Joining a supportive community, like Underwater Explorers Worldwide, is a great way to connect with people who have been where you are and can cheer you on as you take your first steps to overcome your fear of diving.

Discover more ways to overcome your fears: Top 7 Causes of Diving Anxiety and How to Overcome It 

Remember Your "Why"

Throughout it all, the one thing that kept me going was my dream of diving with sharks all over the world. When the fear bubbled up, I reminded myself why I was doing this. That "why" is what got me through the moments when it all felt too much.

It took me over 100 dives before I stopped feeling afraid. That may sound like a long time,  and it was, but it taught me another lesson: go at your own pace. Growth happens just outside your comfort zone, but it is not sustainable to stay there all the time. 

Learn. Regulate. Rest. Then go again.

Tips To Help You Overcome Your Fear of Diving

Over the years, here is what I have learned about overcoming fear underwater:

• Understand how you learn best. Are you a visual learner? Do you thrive on repetition? Do you prefer small groups, or one-on-one? Find a dive center and instructor who can meet you where you are.
• Choose the right conditions. Think about water temperature, visibility, and group size. These can make a huge difference to how comfortable you feel.
• Work with your body. A calm nervous system is key. Stay hydrated, eat well, and take breaks when you need them.
• Practice on land and in pools. Even simple things like swimming underwater without pinching your nose can help desensitize you.
• Keep it light. Laughter helps - like the time my Divemaster buddy and I exchanged all our kit underwater and swam around in each other's ill-fitting gear, laughing until our masks flooded.
• Celebrate your wins. After completing my Advanced Open Water, I bought myself a wetsuit, mask, and snorkel - and toasted myself with a glass of champagne in my kitchen, still wearing the wetsuit.

Looking back now, I realize every small step mattered. Every moment of hesitation, every laugh underwater, every quiet victory added up - and taught me just how much courage I really had. You do not have to overcome your fear of diving overnight. You just have to begin.

Start Your Journey Today

If you are sitting on the shore, wondering if you could ever overcome your fear of diving, here is my advice: take a deep breath – you are braver than you think.

There are countless ways to start, and countless supportive instructors waiting to help you. Find your local SSI Training Center here and take the first step toward a whole new world.

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Kathryn Curzon is a diver, shark conservationist, and award-winning author, studying creative writing at Oxford University. Subscribe here for updates on her work and upcoming book releases, or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.