EFFECTIVENESS OF A MENTAL TRAINING-PROGRAM FOR NOVICE SCUBA-DIVERS

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of a mental trainin g program on state anxiety, respiration rate and performance of novice scuba divers. Forty four participants enrolled in novice open water d iving courses served as participants. An intervention group (n = 15), in addition to scuba training, received an audiotaped mental training program designed to reduce anxiety and improve diving performance. A p lacebo-control group (n = 15) followed the same procedures except that their audiotape contained general information about scuba diving. A c ontrol group (n = 14) received only scuba training. The intervention g roup reported lower pre-dive scores for cognitive anxiety, higher pre- dive scores for self-confidence, performed better on bail-out and mask removal tasks, and showed lower respiration rate than either control group. Respiration rate and somatic anxiety scores significantly predi cted bail-out performance. Respiration rate also predieted mask remova l performance. These results suggest that novice divers may benefit fr om mental training as part of their pre-dive instruction.