I actually appreciate instructors who put the fear in these frisky would-be divers. My friend who is an instructor often has students who end up whining, "but scuba is supposed to be fun!" Well! Stay in the swimming pool where the conditions are controlled! I know a guy who got his wife and 13-year-old daughter into diving, both are rescue-diver level now because of that mindset of continuous learning and preparation for the unexpected. That simply comes with the territory.