Scuba diving and swimming?

Question

Hi friends,

I am undergoing swimming training rigorously as I have to do scuba diving and snorkelling in couple of weeks.

I had never swam before but I have picked up pretty well .

I want to know minimum requirements as a swimmer for being able to scuba dive and what specific techniques should I ask my trainer to teach me for the same instead of general swimming class and how much time it may take for me to be able to do scuba dive atleast once.

Please help , I am really stressed bout this .

Answer 1

Please do not stress out about the swimming! Remember SCUBA is for your enjoyment with safety as the priority.

Depending on which organization you are doing it with, the requirements for swimming will differ. Some have more rigorous requirements than others.

You have PADI, NAUI, CMAS, ANDI etc to name just a few. By the sounds of it you may be doing NAUI.

However, I do not want to say that any organization is better than the next! They all have different methods, but the general aim is the same, to learn how to dive.

NAUI has stricter requirements for the swimming test than for instance PADI. But again, there are different reasons for each and these schools have developed over many years with thousands of instructors giving feedback. As usual, different people will have different opinions on each organization’s particular methods.

It is however important that you at least KNOW how to swim. After all, you will find yourself in an aquatic environment surrounded by water. It is only logical. Furthermore, depending on the dive site, you may encounter some current and relative fitness can only be to your advantage.

The instructor you have chosen will also have his particular "style" of teaching and his own diving "philosophy". Have a chat with him or her.

You might even want to consider the organization that suits your needs i.e. ask yourself how often you will dive in the future and whether you see it as a future occupation (a nice occupation!)

I include some web links of major organizations and you are welcome to mail them with your questions.

Have FUN!

Answer 2

Google it dude

And if u are feeling stressed out go for an Art Of Living course.It works and helps us in de-stressing you know

Answer 3

It's been awhile since I did my open water :). If I recall, you need to be able to swim on the surface for 200 M, using any style you wish and tread water for 10 minutes. It's not a race, you just need to be able to do the distance in the stroke you are most comfortable with.

As for just wanting to do a single dive, well, you can. PADI shops hold what's called a Discover Scuba. When you're comfortable with your swimming ability, you can sign up at a local PADI shop for their next Discover outing. It will take place in a pool. You'll get basic instruction and be under the supervision of an Instructor for about an hour of in water time. Usually this course is offered free or at a small pool fee of a couple dollars. It's meant to give you a chance at scuba to see if you like it before investing 300 bucks on a course and more on gear.

If you do decide to take the full open water course, it will take a number of days, both in class, in the pool and in a safe open water environment to complete. There is no such thing as a weekend learn to dive, package.