[ilkkal]

I haven't dived all that much, but the initial submersion with empty lungs is super unpleasant every time, the urge to draw air is super strong. After I'm under I'm 100% fine with it and just don't think about the whole thing. I've only dived drysuit, maybe submersion is easier without.

[jfengel]

I suspect not. I get the same experience with a wetsuit. And I've seen it happen with dozens of people on their first dives. Once they get down and stay down for a minute or so, they begin to trust that there is in fact air in the regulator, and that it will continue to be there. Until then, they'll fight panic every time.

Different people get over it at different rates. Some never do.