Dive Health & Safety
Panic underwater: how to stay calm and stop stress escalating
Panic usually starts small — a leaking mask, a lost buddy, a strong current. Divers Alert Network's advice is to stop, think and breathe: a pause gives you time to solve the problem before anxiety becomes panic. Talk through the dive plan with your buddy, act on your training, practise skills that scare you in the pool, and ascend to calmer, shallower water if needed.
By 71 Guardians · Published 19 Oct 2026
What should I do if I start to feel anxious underwater?
Stop, breathe and think. DAN notes that pausing to regain composure gives you time to solve the problem and calm down. Act in line with your training — and if a dive becomes overwhelming, ascend to a shallower, more controlled place or end the dive safely.
How can I prevent panic before the dive?
- Talk with your buddy before the dive and make sure you're both comfortable with the plan.
- Practise any skill that makes you anxious in a pool until it no longer scares you.
- Stay reassuring with a nervous buddy — and never pressure a hesitant diver into the water.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to feel nervous before diving?
Yes. Talk about it with your guide before the dive — that's part of a good briefing.
What if my mask floods?
Stop, breathe from your regulator and clear it as you practised in training. Signal your guide if you need help.
Questions before you dive with us?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we're divers in Hurghada and happy to help.
Chat with us on WhatsAppSources
- Public Safety Announcement: Preventing Panic — Alert Diver — Divers Alert Network (DAN)