He attempted to overcome his phobia of water on his own at first. But when that failed, he hired his tutor, who meticulously focused on Douglas' anxiety. Douglas started by learning to swim with his assistance. After that, he practiced exhaling-inhaling in water to overcome his anxiety of submerging his head. Then he progressed to mastering individual swimming steps, which his instructor eventually blended into a whole swimming experience. Douglas could not only swim well after six months, but he was also rid of his dread to a large extent. Douglas' quest of actually overcoming his fear to its slightest vestiges began at this point. He swam in the pool by himself. He went diving at Lake Wentworth. He attempted every stroke he could think of. Finally, during his diving expedition in Warm Lake, he entirely overcame his anxiety.