Getting over the fear

**joker13** · February 27th, 2006, 07:32 PM

I was wondering if you all have any advice to getting over the fear. I almost drowned a few years ago and i am terrified to go in now. I am going to mexico for my honeymoon and my fiance loves the water. Any advice would be great.

**engr** · February 28th, 2006, 09:52 AM

Since you belong to the nefarious EFCS I recommend finding a really deep spot, jumping right in, going into a blind panic and then sinking slowly out of sight...

Just kidding joker. Fear of the water is a very real thing. When is your honeymoon and how do you react when you get in the water now? Are you OK as long as you can stand up, what is your trigger point for the fear kicking in? All of these will be factors is learning to overcome it.

Do you have a pool nearby that you can start out with? The calm water in the pool and predictable depths and bottom surface are best for easing back into things.

**joker13** · February 28th, 2006, 08:50 PM

I can get into a pool if i had one that i could use. I just dont like water that i cant see the bottom of anymore. I used to but the lake i had a problem in was murky and i just cant see myself getting into it. And my honeymoon is in june.

**cracken** · February 28th, 2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joker13

I can get into a pool if i had one that i could use. I just dont like water that i cant see the bottom of anymore. I used to but the lake i had a problem in was murky and i just cant see myself getting into it. And my honeymoon is in june.

You can purchase a wetsuit. There are ones called shorties, they are thin & are cut off (no legs & no sleeves). Surfers wear them. They are positively bouyant, thus it will help you float as you swim. It won't be as obvious as wearing a life perserver. If you have access to water before June, you can practice & hopefully regain your confidence.
Good luck with the swimming & the wedding.

**engr** · March 1st, 2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joker13

I can get into a pool if i had one that i could use. I just dont like water that i cant see the bottom of anymore. I used to but the lake i had a problem in was murky and i just cant see myself getting into it. And my honeymoon is in june.

Yeah, I figured that the murky water would be a factor. It's a lot more unsettling when you can't tell what is going on in the bottom. What are you guys planning for your honeymoon? As long as it's just hanging out on the beach and wading in the ocean it sounds like you'll be OK. If you are going to do some snorkeling or something like that Cracken's idea of a suit is a good one. It will provide some added security without being too obvious. Have you talked with your finacee about it? You should. That way you guys can come up with something together and not have to face a possibly embarassing/stressful event during your honeymoon.

Where do you live? Any chance of getting to a lake or ocean before June to see how it feels?

jcs777 · March 1st, 2006, 11:38 AM

Joker-
I can understand the fear of the murkiness... evil things dwell in the deep...
No, seriously, these guys give good advice. As with any fear, conquering this one will take a mixture of gradual exposure and courage.
Maybe you could start drinking murky water... no, that would just give you the runs.
Anyway, I know I'm not much help, but for my final comment, I'd say that I just honeymooned in Mexico last June (on the Yucatan, just north of Tulum), and the water there is anything BUT murky. So if it's any consolation, I can pretty much guarantee you'll be able to see the bottom at all times.
I do recommend trying to get a handle on this fear before you go, because the snorkeling/scuba diving down there in really incredible.
Good luck, and congrats on your marriage- it's a wonderful institution.

**mavgrad99** · March 1st, 2006, 04:34 PM

its like riding a bike, you get back on and have another go at it, besides, you will experience such euphoria while going through the marriage/wedding/honeymoon, that you will not have time to experience such fears. Just jump back in there, you will forget about it in no time.

**joker13** · March 1st, 2006, 07:03 PM

Thanks for all your advice guys. I know i need to stop being a little beotch and just get back in the water.

hsman · March 1st, 2006, 07:28 PM

if your going to some place warm and tropical like cancun, then your likely going into the ocean. best thing to do is sign up for a SNUBA dive. Snuba is tethered diving, so you breath from a tank(can't drown) and that tank is on a raft with like 25ft of hose. THis will give you a wet suit,and BC, so you can float all you like, a mask so you can see the bottom, and then when your feeling comfortable kick down and enjoy the view. My wife was really freaked out about snorkeling in water that was deeper then her, once I talked her into SNUBA, and I went SCUBA, she had a blast watching me cruise the bottom, then finally kicked down, and by the end of the trip she was ready to free dive.

good luck!

Trifecta · March 3rd, 2006, 01:48 AM

Yeah I know how you feel, I've been there. I almost drowned when I was young and I was terrified to ever dive in again. I took swimming lessons so that's how I overcame my fear.

Y3L · March 8th, 2006, 09:22 PM

If you're going snorkeling the water won't be murky at all (and probably not deeper than a few feet) -- you'll be able to see the bottom from above the water.

Pretty much anything touristy will be super-super safe, so unless your fiance is into stuff like scuba diving there really shouldn't be anything to worry about. If that's any help at all.

swimmerfan · March 10th, 2006, 09:57 AM

Tackle the fear part first. What are you actually afraid of? You probably engage in far more high risk activities in your everyday waking life. Remember that there's really not much that can harm you in water. It's the whole not-being-able-to-see-thing that gives rise to unwarranted fear. Stay calm and in control and enjoy your new wife's joy and beauty. Good luck and enjoy.

**MissytroN** · March 27th, 2006, 10:35 PM

Hiya,

I understand it is really hard for you to face the water again. I was petrified of the water after being scared at a young age...and now am a swimming instructor! Go figure!

My advice is just starting off small. Soak in the tub..then go to the shallow end of the pool (a public pool) and try to dunk your head in the water, then to the deep end when you are ready etc. I too am very hesitant about beach water, because I don't know what's in there, but I just end up pushing myself and just saying, "F*** it, I'm going in!"

Hopefully this helps in some way, the only way to beat the fear is to face it. Perhaps you can get your fiance to help you and to be there for confidence and encouragement. That would be the ideal way to do it.

asdsad · May 8th, 2006, 03:36 AM

take a drown-proofing class, a+ definite to get u to feel safe in the water again

**cracken** · May 14th, 2006, 02:52 PM

June is getting close Joker, how's things going with dealing with your fear?

BIG LOU · May 14th, 2006, 03:08 PM

For real dude.. just chill out, and start back slow

fsdfsfaaf · May 16th, 2006, 11:37 PM

hello

sunupoernomo · May 27th, 2006, 01:56 AM

i wasn't scared of water, i just thought i would never be able to swim with good technique. i was actually scared of heights. i started jumping off of bridges and quarries and waterfalls and conquered the vertigo thing. it also got me into the water and i started swimming too! i guess that really isn't safe though, on second thought don't be like me....