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Scuba diving is a scary yet magnificent experience that you should try at least once in your lifetime. But, what if you can’t swim? Can you scuba dive without knowing how to swim?
The answer to this question is yes, but not a simple yes. Even if it’s possible, you should take all necessary precautions and be aware of all the safety measures needed.
Additionally, you’ll have to face some limitations to this experience if you can’t swim.
So, keep reading the next few lines to get familiar with everything you need to know to take this bold and wonderful jump.
What Happens If I Go Scuba Diving Without Knowing How to Swim?
If you don’t know how to swim, that’s not even a problem. Just try any Discover Scuba diving trip, and it’ll be your first step in discovering the ocean.
Yet, even if it doesn’t require you to know how to swim, you have to be in a healthy condition before making the jump.
Preparing for the Dive
On this trip, an instructor is assigned to a group of nonswimmers or even just one. That’s to ensure that nothing will go wrong once you’re in the water.
In addition, the area the nonswimmers get to dive in is usually in comparatively shallow waters, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Moreover, before getting into the water, you’ll be outfitted with all the right diving equipment and trained to use it. This includes the following:
- Fins to wear on your legs
- Scuba oxygen tanks
- BCD (also known as scuba jackets)
Sometimes, previous training or briefing is done in a swimming pool before you could join the real scuba diving trip.
Going Into the Water
Once in the water, you’ll be in a state called neutral buoyancy, which describes how fish move in the water.
In this state, you neither float nor sink, but rather dive by just moving your fins or legs. Remember that this is not swimming, you don’t need to move your arms.
Simply, follow your leader’s instructions on how to move, and you can finally focus on enjoying underwater views of fish, corals, sharks, and more!
Is It a Better Idea to Learn to Swim Before Scuba Diving?
Yes, it’s always a better idea to be a good swimmer before scuba diving; otherwise, you’ll be missing out on many things!
As a nonswimmer, you’re only allowed to go to specific areas. But if you loved the scuba diving experience, you might want to try deeper spots where more forms of wildlife thrive.
To be able to go where only certified divers go, you’ll need to get a diving certificate. However, to get the full certification, you’ll need to join an open-water diver course that has swimming and floating tests.
The swimming test demands that you swim for 650 feet. Moreover, the floating test requires you to float or tread water for ten minutes straight.
The point is, in these tests, you won’t have any floating aids such as fins, masks, and snorkels. That’s why you’ll need to learn how to swim first to be able to sign up for these courses and get your certification.
Why Is Being Able to Swim Necessary to Get the Certification?
As we already pointed out, diving doesn’t need swimming abilities because there’s no use of hands and no treading of water in the process. You’ll always be accompanied by an instructor who’ll use their best judgment and act if anything happens.
However, if you dive into deep and challenging spots, anything could go wrong, and you must be prepared for it.
For instance, your BCD might falter, and you’ll have nothing to keep you afloat but your fins. Even though the fins can help you significantly move upward, the type of waters that you’re in might be harder for you to adjust yourself.
Therefore, not knowing how to swim may leave you in tough, dangerous situations. In addition, it can put your diving buddies at risk if they try to help you out.
How to Make the Most of Your Scuba Diving Session If You Don’t Know How to Swim?
Going scuba diving for the first time could be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know how to swim. So, here are a few tips to ensure that you have an enjoyable and safe experience below the surface!
Train Before Going on the Trip
As stated earlier, sometimes, you’ll have to go through a training session in a pool or shallow waters before getting into the real ocean. This training is mentally stimulating; it’ll make you feel that scuba diving isn’t that intimidating after all.
This training gives you a chance to stand up whenever you’re feeling uncomfortable. It also allows you to try the equipment and gauge how they feel, along with the feeling of breathing compressed oxygen.
Furthermore, this can help you overcome the fear of scuba diving before getting introduced to the real challenge.
Learn All the Hand Signals
You’ll learn all the important hand signals before going in. These will allow you to communicate with your instructors as well as other participants; so you won’t have to feel like you’re surrounded by a bubble where no sound travels!
Communicating with your instructor is a necessity for them, too. That way, they’ll know that everything’s alright with you and will carry on with the journey as planned.
Overcome Your Fears Once in the Water
Scuba diving for the first time induces a whole lot of feelings and emotional responses. You might get excited or scared; you’ll never know until you try.
To ease these feelings, try to relax. Take deep breaths and maybe close your eyes. Counting numbers, too, could be of benefit.
Once you’re more relaxed, start to focus on the marine life around you. The gentle movement of fish schools and the swaying of aquatic plants might have calming effects on your nerves.
It might be of great use, too, to remember that the equipment is making you float and the instructors are here to help you. Therefore, nothing could possibly go wrong.
Trust Your Instructors and Other Nonswimmers
If you’re still not completely at ease underwater, focus on your instructor’s movements and stay close to them. They’ve been there with lots of participants before you, so they’ll know how to ease up your tension.
You might want to ask your instructor about the buddy system, too, before going in. Through the buddy system, you and other fellow nonswimmers will be tied together to the instructor.
Moving together might give you more confidence and reassurance so that you can finally start having a good time.
The Takeaway
Can you scuba dive without knowing how to swim?
Yes; if you don’t know how to swim, you can still go on this wonderful adventure of scuba diving without hesitation.
However, you should take all the necessary precautions before scuba diving. You have to choose the right scuba diving trip, be confident in your instructors, and always choose to train in shallow waters before doing the real deal.
Additionally, you may want to take swimming lessons and get certified so that you can explore new depths.
