what is Scuba Diving

Boston · 12-09-2003 5:18pm #1

I've a vague idea but i don't really know anything about it, and some people have been telling me its really good to get into while at college. I can't really swim to well btw.

daveg · 13-09-2003 7:16am

Scubadiving is recreational diving. You equipment includes a tank (for O2)wetsuit/drysuit to keep you warm, BCD (inflatable jacket) to keep you on the surface & provide buyancy and wieght belts to help boyancy and help you decend.

You swiming will have to improve. Other threads have been written describing how to take up diving.

Post back if you need more info.

ka · 14-09-2003 6:21pm

Hi!

Just a correction to that previous post - You will not have O2 in your tank - it Will be AIR or Enriched AIR (after special course).

The PADI system is one method of training recreational divers to dive to 18m with other similarly qualified divers - this can be built upon and extended. The PADI swim requirement is 200m - HOWEVER there is a possibility of doing this with fins and doing 300m - check with your instructor.

I am diving 2 years, PADI trained to Rescue Diver - and STILL cannot swim. I will need to learn before I do my divemaster. However I snorkle regularly to keep my water fitness and water confidence up. I also dive regularly. A certain level of water confidence would be sensibile and adventagous.

HTH

NordicDiver · 15-09-2003 12:07am

Hi ka

How did you pas your diving course when you cant swim

Soo if you as a PADi rescue diver see sombody in trouble in the water and you dont have your fins with you, you cant help?
Or if you lose your fins while diving ,what then ?

Go to your local swimmingclub and get lessons NOW, before you get a buddy that trust your skills as a rescue diver

And too Boston, you do have to be able to swim before you take a PADI diving course

Nordic
Safe Diving

Evil Phil · 15-09-2003 7:03am

Being able to swim will improve you confidence in the water a lot, plus you'll pass you diving course

There's plenty of places that do adult swimming lessons, try you local pool. I only learned to swim 3 years ago and I'm diving a year and a half now.

vibe666 · 15-09-2003 8:07am

you don't need to be an olympic swimmer to do the open water course but by definition, someone who is confident in the water will find learning to dive a lot easier.

the guy who trained me was a terrible swimmer with no confidence in the water before he took up diving, but ended up running a dive centre in malawi, so you never know.

if you plan on learning to dive make sure you have it in your mind to make sure you improve your swimming skills at the same time.

daveg · 15-09-2003 8:20am

Originally posted by ka
Just a correction to that previous post - You will not have O2 in your tank - it Will be AIR or Enriched AIR (after special course).

You know what I mean :rolleyes:

ka · 15-09-2003 8:40am

Hi Nordic

Point taken :-) I passed my PADI courses as I am a good diver and the requirement allowed me to FIN (no mask and snorkle) 300m.

Yes as a rescue diver its important, however it is also important to at least have the rescue diver. There are other skills involved - and the primary goal of Sea Survival is NOT about swimming.

I have a long term buddy - who is comfortable with my skills and qualifications. If I loose my fins when diving - which I have done and have had simulated - I have bouyancy in my BCD and suit that is sufficient for me to keep head out of water.

On board our boat life jackets are compulsary - we use 150N jackets - which support you in the water and keep your head out of the water in case of an unconcious state.

Having said all that I do agree it is important to swim. However you should also realise that Diving institutions allow all shapes and forms of people to do PADI CFT TDI etc... courses. We all have our limitations and difficulties and in some cases disabilities.

Ka;-)

off to book lessons - when the lessons can cater for me ;-)

NordicDiver · 15-09-2003 2:37pm

1) 200 metre/yard continuos surface swim and a 10-minute swim/float without using any swim aids.

OR

2)300 metre/yard continuos surface swim with mask, snorkel and fin and a 10-minute swim/float without using any other swim aids.

All students must demonstrate that they can comfortably maintain themselves in water too deep to stand up in prior to Open Water Dive 2.

An individual needs to be able to swim and be reasonably comfortable and proficient in the water to dive.

(PADI Inst. Manual)

-I passed my PADI courses as I am a good diver and the requirement allowed me to FIN (no mask and snorkle) 300m

No, the requirement say with mask, snorkel and fins ,, and how about the 10-min swim/float in water to deep to stand up in ?

-However you should also realise that Diving institutions allow all shapes and forms of people to do PADI CFT TDI etc... courses. We all have our limitations and difficulties and in some cases disabilities.

I wish them welcome but they have to be able to swim/floate for 10-minutes + the 200 or 300 meter swim..with or without mask,snorkel and fins..

This is NOT ment to hurt ka`s feelings he is probaly a good diver and i probaly will have no problem diving with him.

This is information for what Padi have as waterskills for students wanting to become an Open water scuba dude.

Nordic
Safe Diving

Sarky · 15-09-2003 2:43pm

College is indeed a great place to begin diving. It's usually an awful lot cheaper, and a lot of equipment is supplied.

In NUI Galway, anyway, the college club costs about 25 quid a year, and you have to supply your own wet/drysuit, gloves, fins weights and mask(about 250 quid if you shop around). The club supplies the tanks, BCD's, and maintains them, cutting out a lot of expense for new divers.

ka · 15-09-2003 6:49pm

Originally posted by NordicDiver

This is NOT ment to hurt ka`s feelings he is probaly a good diver and i probaly will have no problem diving with him.
Nordic
Safe Diving

AAAHHHHHHHHHH Nordic

You have hurt my feelings BIG TIME - I am FEMALE LOL!!!!! I forgive you!!!

Thanks for posting the official requirements, I did comply (but no mask snorkle) my instructor was ex Navy Diver BSAC/PADI instructor.

You are right, I was just showing that it can be done even though people can have limitations.

I would love you to dive with us.... see <snip>Its in your sig. E.P.</snip>

Take care & happy diving

Ka:-)

Mick L · 22-09-2003 12:30pm

For a start scuba is Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Basically you wear equipment that allows you to breathe and swim underwater so that you can look at fish, coral, wrecks, sharks and whales (if you're in the right place at the right time)

There are different levels to suit everyone and you can take it as far as you want. You do need to to courses to learn to dive properly and get certified and college is a great place to do this, especially from a cost point of view. You can do try-dives with clubs where they will take you into a swimming pool or shallow water with scuba gear to show you what's it like. Again ask the club in college (I know that DUSAC only take on 32 people each year so you may not want to take too much time in deciding).

As for the swimming, I wasn't a strong swimmer either when I started my first scuba diving course. You don't have to be up to Olympic standards to do a course but you need to know how to swim and be comfortable in the water.

Cromwelly · 25-09-2003 7:13pm

Yes as a rescue diver its important, however it is also important to at least have the rescue diver. There are other skills involved - and the primary goal of Sea Survival is NOT about swimming.

Although in fairness the skill of "Not Drowning" is way up there.

Seriously though, I'm really curious Ka, how you have the confidence to dive (in Irish waters I presume) and yet you haven't learnt to swim. Yet.
What's stopping you, do you just sink ?

It's nobodys business of course but your own (and your buddy).

I'd still be a bit wary on the whole rescue diver thing. Imagine the embarassment of being rescued by a girl who can't swim. I guess it's slightly better than drowning.

ka · 29-09-2003 6:08pm

Hi Cromwelly

"Although in fairness the skill of "Not Drowning" is way up there "

Yep, but in Sea Survival Swimming is not a skill used :-)

Im not going to go down that debate road....

"Imagine the embarassment of being rescued by a girl who can't swim. I guess it's slightly better than drowning. "

Some people would say - imagine being rescued by a girl LOL

All I can say is that I will learn when I find a good instructor. I guess the problem is staying up in the water... but as a diver/boat owner - I always have bouyancy aids (suit, bcd, life jacket) - so its not been an issue.

But I will learn.....

Happy Diving

Cromwelly · 29-09-2003 8:26pm

Im not going to go down that debate road....

Can't swim, can't go down roads, a pattern is emerging....

I guess the problem is staying up in the water...

Here's my advice. Give up smokes and put on 5 stone. Worked for me, can't sink to save my life. It's highly unlikely I'd ever have to mind you.

You're obviously comfortable around water Ka, like I say I was simply curious. Happy diving to you too

ka · 29-09-2003 9:10pm

LOL

Dont smoke - but the 5 stone - could do with LOOSING it!!!!!!

Answers on a postcard....

Diving doesnt seem to do much for the figure!!!

Peace · 30-09-2003 12:08am

Originally posted by ka

Diving doesnt seem to do much for the figure!!!

no no, it does plenty... its just not good!

Evil Phil · 30-09-2003 6:57am

I dunno, women look pretty good in wetsuits in my experience.

daveg · 30-09-2003 12:03pm

Why dont you come along this weekend and let us be the judge ]:)

ka · 30-09-2003 4:28pm

LOL!

I am afraid I am delivering a course in Self Management for women with Endometriosis - but otherwise would love to dive :-)

Me in a wet suit - you just have to remember that I am the one with my hair dyed purple and red on black. The black and purple to match my Buddy ranger and Beaver Semi dry - in TRUE PADI "matching your dive gear specialty" form!!

Enjoy the weekend SDW is a nice place.....

Happy diving

Peace · 30-09-2003 5:57pm

Oh my god...i clicked that link...my eyes...MY EYES!!....

Cromwelly · 30-09-2003 6:23pm

I'm not sure it's possible to suffer from Endometriosis of the eyes Peace.

ka · 30-09-2003 7:47pm

Peace

Help me out here - bad design?? If so let me know....

Shocking info...??

Thanks

Ka:-)

Peace · 30-09-2003 8:59pm

Originally posted by Cromwelly
I'm not sure it's possible to suffer from Endometriosis of the eyes Peace.

HAHA, cracked me up cromwelly

ka, i got as far as "New!!! Information on Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome!" and aaarrrrggg my eyes AGAIN IT BURNS...

the design is fine though.

Mick L · 01-10-2003 8:50am

So there you have it Boston, in answer to your question, scuba diving is about people in wetsuits (both boys and girls but only the girls look good) sometimes swimming sometimes not swimming, with a good dose of Endometriosis of the eyes thrown in.

Personally I don't know why more people don't take it up!!!!

what is Scuba Diving

Comments