Capt. Dan Berg's Wreck Valley Collection   

MENTAL ATTITUDE
By Capt. Dan Berg

Wreck divers should use some of the rules cave divers have been using with much success for years. If any diver in the team does not feel comfortable with a dive, then that dive should be immediately ended.  Staying calm, moving slowly throughout your dive, knowing your equipment, and the location of your back up lights and alternate air source can help to prevent stress. Preventing stress can also come from diving frequently, not being over weighted, making sure all of your equipment operates correctly and familiarizing yourself with the wreck.

The proper positive mental attitude is very important when participating in any wreck dive. If an improperly trained diver were to penetrate a wreck, encountering darkness and stirred up silt, claustrophobia and stress could soon lead to panic. If this situation is not immediately handled with a cool head, the results could be fatal. 

Never let peer pressure or greed for an artifact lead you to do a dive beyond your own capabilities or the initial dive plan. Usually the rule is "If you have any doubt, don't do it" Believe me when I say I've sat on the boat many times when I just didn't feel right about diving conditions, the location, or who I was diving with. As a rule, I try to remain calm no matter what situation arises. This can be difficult at times, especially after seeing an eight foot shark or finding your first porthole, but remaining calm and in control is mandatory. Staying in control not only avoids panic but assures proper air consumption. After all, dealing with a shark or recovering a porthole is much easier when you're not sucking as hard and as fast as you can just to breathe. Captain Steve Bielenda, a noted northeast wreck diver, once told me that a really good wreck diver has to be disciplined and know when to terminate a dive. Even if he has just found a gold bar, a good wreck diver will leave his treasure on the bottom if his air, or bottom time is used up. It is this type of discipline that is necessary in this highly exciting sport.

 

The Shipwreck Diving E-Book  Instant Downloadable E-Book  Shipwreck Diving, by Capt. Dan Berg is a complete how to book about the sport of wreck diving. This book is packed with information and heavily illustrated with over 80 sensational color photographs.

All photographs, sketches, images and text

Copyright Capt. Dan Berg / Aqua Explorers Inc

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