Simba аѕkеԁ:
I’ve always wanted tο learn tο scuba dive, bυt I’m nοt much οf a swimmer. I ԁο know hοw tο swim, bυt I don’t feel real comfortable іn thе water. I don’t Ɩіkе tο gο tο thе pool οr beach, bυt I really thіnk I wουƖԁ еnјοу diving. I wουƖԁ Ɩονе tο see whаt’s under thе surface. Tο mе іt wουƖԁ bе Ɩіkе a whole οthеr world.
Hаѕ anybody hаԁ thе same experience diving? Yου dislike swimming οr аrе hesitant tο dive? Anу advice?
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i got certified last summer and i’m 140 lbs(gshhh) and i’m not that strong… most of the weight is all in you back when carrying the tank but when u get in the water the weight is lifted off of you… it’s so much fun scuba diving…! and yes it is a whole other world it’s so beautiful down there
Posted by britt* on April 24th, 2008.
Regarding swimming and scuba diving, the key comes down to comfort in the water. I have answered this before, so here is a cut and paste of a previous response:
I have had students that were learning how to swim at the same time that they were in my scuba class.
First and foremost, you need to be comfortable in the water. Most issues that I encounter during scuba class are related to people being uneasy in the water. If you don’t know how to swim, but are comfortable in the water, then I can teach you to scuba dive (see the next item for the exception to this comment).
Second, there is a swim evaluation (either swim or mask/fin/snorkel swim) and a water tread that are both required to complete the course.
Lastly, there is no “traditional” swiming motion (like free style or breaststroke) in scuba diving. You propulsion is by the fins using a variety of kicks. With that said you will be doing activities in/on the water; therefore, a certain level of swimming proficienty is needed for safety reason.
Posted by Doug on April 26th, 2008.
It is like a whole other world. That is exactly why you must be comfortable in the water to begin with. There is so much stuff going on already with scuba – weights, hoses, suits, equalizing, kicking, etc. that it would be overwhelming if you threw in trying to adapt to being in the water.
I don’t think you need to be a real strong swimmer, although it helps. In my certification class we had to swim 4 laps, any style, no time limit and tread water for 10 minutes as a requirement. So, you at least need to be able to do that.
My advice to anyone who isn’t too sure about being in the water is to buy a mask and snorkel and take it to the local pool or your gym pool. You’ll need your own mask/snorkel for class anyway. Spend some time in the water breathing through the snorkel. You’ll find out if the sensation freaks you out or if it’s something you want to learn more about.
Posted by lunachick71369 on April 28th, 2008.