Exploring the Call of the Sea: The Urge of Being In and Underwater
- Bianca Mata
- Feb 1, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 27, 2025
Summary
An aquatic narrative focusing on the healing and thrilling aspects of snorkelling and SCUBA diving. It explores the physical and mental hurdles encountered while diving (which can also occur during snorkelling), including seasickness and panic, and underscores the feeling of liberation and bond with nature that these activities provide. It offers safety advice and motivates readers to explore both snorkelling and diving, stressing the significance of adequate training and adherence to safety measures.
The sea, indeed, “once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever” (Jacques-Yves Cousteau).
I could not agree more with what Jacques Cousteau expressed long ago. I realise that these feelings are difficult to grasp unless one has experienced them personally. Therefore, my goal is to convey a glimpse of these emotions, to paint a picture of the underwater marvels in your minds, with the hope of inspiring you to explore them and benefit of this medicine too.
The snorkelling experience
It's incredible that by immersing your head just a few centimeters into the water, you enter an entirely different world. A thin line separates our surface world from the underwater marvels. With a gentle dip of your head, outside noise, pollution, and personal worries are obscured. Every sense of reality vanishes in that brief instant. This quick transition into the sea awakens a sense of exploration and curiosity that you didn't realise existed until that very moment. The sensation of lightness and floating becomes therapeutic, enhancing your affinity for water.
This is why one feels the desire to return to the sea—an instinct to be in our rightful place. This is what Jacques Cousteau was referring to. The sea does steal you away. She captivates you with its enchantment, mystery, depth, vastness, and majesty. It's the realisation of how much there is to explore and the immense freedom it offers that draws you back.
Being there makes you an observer, instilling a sense of humility. You witness the world's finest wilderness[1] and its creatures living their uninterrupted lives. By analysing their movements, you gain insights into their natural behaviour and understand how their world operates, all while reconnecting with your own intrinsic nature. Returning to nature, to water, from which we are made. I cannot emphasise enough the power of the snorkelling experience. Thanks to ongoing technological advancements, we are fortunate to spend more time in the water, feeling safe and warm as we continue our exploration. Although I was a natural freediver from a young age, I wish I had been introduced to this activity and its benefits earlier.
The SCUBA experience
However, my genuine connection with the ocean emerged when I experienced being completely submerged. I emphasise the word 'completely' because adapting to the aquatic environment has been an incredibly rewarding journey for me. (By the way, SCUBA stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus).
At the onset of my rigorous divemaster training, I felt discouraged and was on the verge of giving up because of seasickness. However, what truly tested my abilities was an incident of underwater panic that made me question my suitability for becoming a divemaster and, ultimately, a dive guide. The thought that all my dives this summer would be conducted from the boat, combined with my previous experiences of seasickness, added to my stress.
Thus, my first boat dive of the season ended up being an abandoned venture. From the moment we anchored, a sense of unease began to settle in, despite my efforts to remain calm. The thought of plunging directly into the depths stirred a fear within me. Although I am an adrenaline seeker who relishes challenges, I struggled to quiet my mind and master my emotions. With a heart full of uncertainty, I leaped into the water, surrendering to its majestic blue hues and salty taste, for who knows what beautiful things await us in the depths. I was determined to try, to embrace the experience and make it a part of me.
As I rapidly descended to the bottom, I tried to reassure myself that everything was fine, even though the hood of my wetsuit and the diving mask felt constricting. When the dive guide signaled for us the 'OK' to check if everything was fine, I feigned being alright and eager to continue. As I glided through the water, it took me a couple of minutes to realise I was panicking, a common experience for nearly half of all divers[2]. I waited for the guide to turn around so I could signal that I needed to resurface. I patiently awaited the guide's approach for assisted resurfacing, maintaining constant eye contact and holding on tightly while trying to stay calm. He signaled to the other divers that we were going to resurface, and we did.
I continued alone to the boat, just a few meters away since we hadn't gone far, and let them carry on with the expedition. I couldn't shake the feelings of shame and guilt, but I understood it was due to being out of the water for too long, and my body not being accustomed to this environment. I took deep breaths while staying in the water, allowing myself to feel vulnerable and letting it pass through me. I won't pretend that the following weeks weren't difficult, dealing with seasickness and dizziness underwater, but somehow I managed. With the help of ginger pills taken before boat trips, as recommended by a diver colleague, I trained my body to be at ease in, above, and underwater. Gradually, the stress and anxiety caused by the water diminished, and it became my medicine, my therapy.
I could not accept that an activity considered healing, therapeutic, and mindful by so many neuroscientists[3] could not become part of my essence. Another powerful quote by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, "From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free," illustrates the sense of freedom I mentioned earlier. As Wallace J. Nichols describes in his book Blue Mind, it is a form of escapism and addiction[4] that I now share with many divers worldwide. Over time, with more boat trips, diving, and snorkelling sessions, my confidence with the sea improved since my first experience onboard.
It is these aspects that diving enthusiasts around the world, despite the well-known dangers of the ocean, are repeatedly drawn to:
Pressures, compressed body and cells.
When submerged, our bodies face pressure levels not typically encountered in daily life. As we descend, the absolute pressure[5] underwater compresses every organ and cell, with pressure increasing by one bar[6] every ten meters, requiring our bodies to adapt to this stress. The deeper the descent, the greater the pressure, which compresses the gases within our bodies and causes tissues to absorb more nitrogen. This nitrogen must be released from the tissues during ascent. Descending too deeply can cause nitrogen to affect the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, leading to light-headedness and disorientation, known as "nitrogen narcosis." On the other hand, ascending too quickly prevents nitrogen bubbles from exiting the body properly, leading to the bends[7], which can be fatal.
Vision, colours, magnification and distortion.
Underwater, human senses, including sight, operate differently. Water filters colors, causing distortion, with red being the first color of the rainbow to vanish as depth increases. This phenomenon is known as absorption. Below 10 meters, objects increasingly appear blue. This effect can occur sooner depending on surface conditions, such as sky clarity and sea turbidity[8], which may reduce visibility. Perception of distance is also affected, as objects seem 33% larger and 25% closer due to refraction through the diving or snorkelling mask. This is more apparent in shallower water where more light penetrates. Consequently, a fish might mislead our sense of distance, leading to frustration when we attempt to reach for it as it swims away!
Hearing, and surface and underwater sounds.
Underwater sound travels approximately four times faster than it does in the air and covers greater distances, often seeming to come from all directions simultaneously. Yet, as you descend further from the surface, you encounter increasing stillness. The typical noises of the outside world fade away, gradually giving way to the sound of your own breathing through the regulator[9], the occasional muffled grunts of a fish (yes, fish make noises!), the crackling of a reef[10], or the bubbles from another diver nearby.
The slowing of movement.
Underwater movements differ from those on land, being slowed, delayed, elongated, and magnified. This unique experience requires physical and mental adaptations as you push water with your body. Water resistance changes movement perception in several ways. First, movements are slowed due to the density of water, which creates drag that reduces speed and requires more energy, demanding deliberate actions. Additionally, reactions are delayed because water absorbs force, extending reaction time and necessitating careful planning. Furthermore, movements become elongated, stretching and flowing gracefully, resembling a dance. Lastly, efforts are magnified, making simple tasks feel like a workout.
The buoyancy, the suspension in the water, the floating above objects and living creatures meters below.
As you begin to navigate underwater in an unfamiliar manner, you slowly develop a liking for it. The BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) is your air-filled diving jacket that allows you to adjust your position in the water by adding or releasing air. With it, we can float horizontally above a fish or plant, using just our breath and slight fin movements to remain in place. The ability to multitask underwater is an essential skill for any diver.
The stillness.
Psychologist David Conradson defined stillness as “an internal state of calm in which a person becomes more aware of their immediate embodied experience of the world and less concerned with events occurring ‘out there’. This is replicated during a diving session, the surface world with all its obligations and concerns, seems far away, even somewhat unreal”.
However, diving carries a great deal of risks, not just drowning, but accidents related to:
Decompression Sickness: "The bends" occur from rapid ascent, forming nitrogen bubbles in the body, causing joint pain or severe neurological issues, potentially fatal.
Equalization Problems: Increased pressure during descent can cause barotrauma[11] if the inner ear isn't properly equalized, leading to pain, hearing loss, or eardrum rupture.
Hypercapnia: Excessive CO2 buildup from inadequate ventilation may cause confusion, dizziness, or unconsciousness, posing a danger underwater.
Blackouts: In freediving or long breath holds, lack of oxygen or hypercapnia can cause underwater unconsciousness, risking drowning.
Understanding these risks is crucial. Proper training, safety protocol adherence, and awareness of physical limits are vital for a safe diving experience.
Yet, it is this very thing, the adrenaline that draws individuals to this water sport, enticing them to test themselves in an unfamiliar and constantly shifting environment. Divers are defined by their heightened sense of adventure, being somewhat more daring, less restrained, less anxious, and generally healthier.
According to Wallace, diving serves as an emotional and dopamine "fix" for those seeking stimulation. Beneath the water, divers have the opportunity to test their boundaries and discover locations that are perpetually new, thrilling, unique, and somewhat dangerous, allowing them to "return to the surface feeling calmer and happier." Luckily, for those who prefer not to risk the bends, the remarkable benefits of immersion can still be enjoyed. You don't need to risk your life to improve it—though occasionally, "a fish gives up its own along the way".
What are your thoughts on my story? Have you ever gone snorkelling or SCUBA diving? I'd love to hear your experiences, or if you have any feedback, please share it in the comments section below.
🌊🐠🤙
*Note: In memory of Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist and author of Blue Mind. Thank you for showing us the way.*
Tips:
I encourage anyone interested in this sport to give it a try. It's definitely rewarding and enhances personal well-being. However, it's important to recognise that it requires discipline, heightened self-control, and safety is paramount.
The first step to becoming a recreational diver is to explore nearby dive centers and the options available from different providers. Alternatively, you might choose to get your certification while on vacation in an exotic or noteworthy location!
I suggest doing a Try SCUBA session before committing to a certification. This allows you to experience the sport and determine if you feel comfortable continuing with the training.
When you begin your diving training, you will learn all the safety rules for both above and underwater. Specifically regarding panic while diving, it's crucial to understand that it's okay to panic. Most importantly, be honest with yourself and signal to your buddy as soon as possible. It's better to acknowledge it early than to let it escalate into something worse. Also, avoid resurfacing suddenly, as several factors need to be considered before making this decision (i.e., don't lose contact with your buddy, safety stop requirements, depth implications, and decompression sickness).
References
[1] Term introduced by painter Robert Wyland describing the world beneath seas, oceans and lakes, in Blue Mind at Work and Play - Under the Water: Diving chapter of Wallace J. Nichols's book, Blue Mind.
[2] Reference in the Blue Mind at Work and Play - Under the Water: Diving chapter
[3] The central theme of Wallace J. Nichols's book, Blue Mind, is the integration of neuroscience and the marine environment to demonstrate benefits for humans.
[4] Neurobiology views addiction as a focus on a single reward mechanism, causing lasting brain changes. Water sports offer a positive alternative, providing stimulation and becoming a 'positive addiction.' In Blue Mind, Nichols explores water’s psychological effects, describing its ability to bring peace, reduce stress, and serve as escapism. He suggests some are drawn to water compulsively, using it to disconnect, much like an addiction, due to its calming influence on the brain. From the chapter "Red Mind, Gray Mind, Blue Mind - Water heals: Addictions" in Wallace J. Nichols's book, Blue Mind.
[5] Absolute pressure in diving is determined by the sum of water pressure and the atmospheric weight above the water.
[6] The measure unit for pressure in diving.
[7] Another term for decompression sickness.
[8] Suspended particulate matter (sediments, plants or animal particles, including plankton) usually caused by currents, waves and storms.
[9] The breathing apparatus.
[10] Specific noises made by marine organisms around reefs.
[11] Barotrauma, in the context of diving, refers to the physical injury to body tissues that occurs due to the pressure changes experienced during ascent or descent underwater. This condition typically affects air-filled spaces in the body, such as the ears, sinuses, and lungs, when the pressure outside the body changes more rapidly than the pressure inside these cavities can equalize. Failure to equalize pressure can lead to pain, injury, or even serious complications.
Comments