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Stupid Question re: Scuba Diving

  • 27-07-2005 5:59pm
    #1
    PaddyofNine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 348 ✭✭


    this is probably the dumbest question yet on boards.ie, but...

    do you have to be able to swim to do a scuba diving course? I can't, and I want to do one in thailand in the next few weeks. don't get me wrong, i could keep myself afloat in a pool and stuff, but I dunno...


Comments

  • #2
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    PaddyofNine wrote:
    this is probably the dumbest question yet on boards.ie, but...

    do you have to be able to swim to do a scuba diving course? I can't, and I want to do one in thailand in the next few weeks. don't get me wrong, i could keep myself afloat in a pool and stuff, but I dunno...
    No, but it might take you a little longer to get comfortable in the water. If you go snorkelling for a few days before, it will help you immensely. Enjoy, it is a great experience. I once went scuba diving in the Maldives with sharks... :eek:


  • #3
    Real
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭Real


    PaddyofNine wrote:
    this is probably the dumbest question yet on boards.ie, but...

    do you have to be able to swim to do a scuba diving course? I can't, and I want to do one in thailand in the next few weeks. don't get me wrong, i could keep myself afloat in a pool and stuff, but I dunno...


    You will find it difficult if you arent comfortable in deep water. Breathing underwater feels extremly unatural and can really get the heart pumping as you go under particularly because you have loads of heavy weights strapped around your waist.

    The first couple of days on the course is usually done in a deep swimming pool. The instructors will keep you there until they feel you will be comfortable in the sea.


  • #4
    Mickah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 394 ✭✭Mickah


    i had to swim 10 lengths of a pool for my PADI open water course. As far as I know you have to be able to swim to do any scuba diving at all. I did mine in Vietnam


  • #5
    gerire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭gerire


    To qualify as an open water diver you do have to be able to swin a certain distance and then be able to thread water after it. For us it was 2 circles of our dive boat and 10 mins threading water


  • #6
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    I think it will depend on the resort.

    Not once were any of us asked could we swim. This was for the PADI introductory. It was a 45min video and then we spent about 20min in the shallow water getting used to the regulator. TBH, I found it very difficult and strange breathing through the regulator. I just had a mental problem with breathing though my mouth and not using my nose and I had snorkelled for 10 days previous to this. But once I got over it and concentrated a bit, it was natural. We weren't allowed out on our own anyway. It was a group of about 6 of us with one instructor, we followed a rope that led us out to the reef and we were only allowed go down to I think 10-12m. Emptying the mask of water was something I was really sh!tt!n myself of under water but it was easier than I thought. Anyway, if you feel uncomfortable, you can just inflate your vest and head for the surface.

    My advice would be do a week of snorkelling if you have time first.


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  • #7
    Culchie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,047 ✭✭✭Culchie


    Went Diving in Zakynthos, I can swim, my wife can't.


    She enjoyed it far more than me.

    Go for it !


  • #8
    jimbling
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,053 ✭✭✭jimbling


    you def don't have to be able to swim to dive... although I would assume that it helps. I did the PADI open water and advanced course on phi phi island in thailand. Im not so sure you would get away with the courses without knowing how to swim... but you could def do dives... or an introduction course.
    Lex Luthor wrote:
    If you go snorkelling for a few days before

    surely a guy who can't swim shouldn't be snorkelling???


  • #9
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    jimbling wrote:
    surely a guy who can't swim shouldn't be snorkelling???
    why not?

    my wife can't swim and snorkelled in open water in mexico. She was a bit nervous at the start but once out there, no stopping her.

    Stay in your depth for a while. Any moron can stay afloat with flippers..


  • #10
    Culchie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,047 ✭✭✭Culchie


    Oh Yea, one other think which none of us mentioned.

    These diving schools are excellent, the instructors will 'hold your hand' all the time.
    So if the school is an official one.... and I can't see authorities allowing a rogue one ....(make sure it is though), you have nothing to worry about, they will build your competence and confidence as it goes along.


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