Hi
Can anyone tell me whether you have to be a strong swimmer to go scuba diving as my partner isn't keen to go out of his depth?
Jude
Scuba Diving
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
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Hi Judith
That's an interesting one.
I'm not a diver - so could be totally wrong. However, my guess is that you don't even need to be a swimmer - at least not in the sense that you and your partner are thinking.
With all that kit on your back, you aren't going to be swimming on the surface of the water. Underwater swimming is VERY different to swimming on the surface - in fact its all about leg movement and your hands are more of a tiller to change direction, etc. Frankly, anybody can swim underwater. I know that as a kid, I was swimming underwater long before I mastered surface swimming - strange but true.
That's an interesting one.
I'm not a diver - so could be totally wrong. However, my guess is that you don't even need to be a swimmer - at least not in the sense that you and your partner are thinking.
With all that kit on your back, you aren't going to be swimming on the surface of the water. Underwater swimming is VERY different to swimming on the surface - in fact its all about leg movement and your hands are more of a tiller to change direction, etc. Frankly, anybody can swim underwater. I know that as a kid, I was swimming underwater long before I mastered surface swimming - strange but true.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Wyn Emanuel
Scuba Diving
Hi Judith
My advice is that if your partner doesn't like going out of his depth, then he should think twice about scuba diving. In my opinion, you need to be a good swimmer to dive.
If he is unsure about his confidence and swimming capabilities then the preliminary pool training should put him right - one way or the other. Some dive companies offer this free or at very low cost.
You'll need to satisfy yourself and the dive people that you are competent with the equipment, comfortable with its use and knowledgeable about communication methods.
Most dives around the island (in my experience) take you between 10 -15m down - maybe less for a first dive. That's my self-imposed limit anyway as diving has caused me intermittent hearing problems.
One of the greatest risks is panic - which can be very dangerous whatever diving equipment you are wearing. Having dived in several locations over the years I recall the considerable surprise of finding myself right next to a massive and evil-looking conger eel, plus various other creatures that were at least as big as me. It can make the heart beat a bit faster, but it doesn't happen that often.
Tobago is a great place to snorkel in relatively shallow water and you've a good chance of seeing turtles, eels and most of the exotic fish you'll come across on a dive. There can be noticeable currents in some places, so wear fins.
Wyn
My advice is that if your partner doesn't like going out of his depth, then he should think twice about scuba diving. In my opinion, you need to be a good swimmer to dive.
If he is unsure about his confidence and swimming capabilities then the preliminary pool training should put him right - one way or the other. Some dive companies offer this free or at very low cost.
You'll need to satisfy yourself and the dive people that you are competent with the equipment, comfortable with its use and knowledgeable about communication methods.
Most dives around the island (in my experience) take you between 10 -15m down - maybe less for a first dive. That's my self-imposed limit anyway as diving has caused me intermittent hearing problems.
One of the greatest risks is panic - which can be very dangerous whatever diving equipment you are wearing. Having dived in several locations over the years I recall the considerable surprise of finding myself right next to a massive and evil-looking conger eel, plus various other creatures that were at least as big as me. It can make the heart beat a bit faster, but it doesn't happen that often.
Tobago is a great place to snorkel in relatively shallow water and you've a good chance of seeing turtles, eels and most of the exotic fish you'll come across on a dive. There can be noticeable currents in some places, so wear fins.
Wyn
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Judith Prater
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Jill M
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2004 9:55 pm
- Location: Burton on Trent, England
Judith,
Like Wyn said, your partner could have a try dive with any of the dive operators, they are normally very good with newbies.
If you do go snorkeling, get him to wear a life jacket. I am not comfortable in deep water, but I either wear a life jacket now or use a surface marker buoy - the sort that divers use - like a long red sausage. I lean on it and it keeps me afloat and gives me enough confidence to swim in the deeper water. It is good because if boats come close I just raise the marker buoy (sausage) up on its end and it can be clearly seen by any passing boats. Sometimes it is difficult for boats to see you in the swell of the sea when all that is visible is a small snorkel. I got mine from the local dive shop and it blows up and folds down to almost nothing when not in use.
Jill
Like Wyn said, your partner could have a try dive with any of the dive operators, they are normally very good with newbies.
If you do go snorkeling, get him to wear a life jacket. I am not comfortable in deep water, but I either wear a life jacket now or use a surface marker buoy - the sort that divers use - like a long red sausage. I lean on it and it keeps me afloat and gives me enough confidence to swim in the deeper water. It is good because if boats come close I just raise the marker buoy (sausage) up on its end and it can be clearly seen by any passing boats. Sometimes it is difficult for boats to see you in the swell of the sea when all that is visible is a small snorkel. I got mine from the local dive shop and it blows up and folds down to almost nothing when not in use.
Jill
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Jo B
- myTobago Nut
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:21 pm
- Location: Kent, England
Judith
I am the furthest possible from a water baby, I'm not a particularly strong swimmer, but I am a qualified PADI AOW diver, with about 70 dives under my belt. I did get confidence with snorkelling before attempting to dive. We did a 'try dive' on one holiday, then qualified a year later. I do recommend that you find a good instructor that gives you loads of confidence.
The only drawback now is that I am aware that my swimming skills aren't great, which makes me a bit nervous of strong currents, but I always warn my instructor/dive master about this.
If diving in Tobago, I will once again recommend Caribstu. My diving improved immensely last year over a series of dives with him, and he deliberately avoided sites where currents may have been bad.
Have fun.
Jo x
I am the furthest possible from a water baby, I'm not a particularly strong swimmer, but I am a qualified PADI AOW diver, with about 70 dives under my belt. I did get confidence with snorkelling before attempting to dive. We did a 'try dive' on one holiday, then qualified a year later. I do recommend that you find a good instructor that gives you loads of confidence.
The only drawback now is that I am aware that my swimming skills aren't great, which makes me a bit nervous of strong currents, but I always warn my instructor/dive master about this.
If diving in Tobago, I will once again recommend Caribstu. My diving improved immensely last year over a series of dives with him, and he deliberately avoided sites where currents may have been bad.
Have fun.
Jo x
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Judith Prater
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Wyn Emanuel
Scuba Diving
So, it seems that Jo disproves my theory about swimming capabilities and diving. She's done more dives than me, so I must take it all back!
I associated good swimming skills with confidence in the water - which I still think is very important for you to feel in control when diving. Unless, of course someone knows different...
Have fun.
Wyn
I associated good swimming skills with confidence in the water - which I still think is very important for you to feel in control when diving. Unless, of course someone knows different...
Have fun.
Wyn
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Judith Prater
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Kevin Hampson
- Tobago Fanatic
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2003 3:24 pm
- Location: South Devon
Hi Judith,
To do a PADI openwater course there is a swiming requirement I recall it's swim 200m and tread water for 10 minutes. There no time limit on the swim so more of a stamina thing than anything else.
The try dive hotel short courses don't have this and there will be a confined water or pool session to teach some skills before you get taken out by a instructor.
To be honest it's more about being comfortable in the water than being able to swim like a fish but some people do not like water and if they get freeky when out of their depth diving may not for them.
Kevin
To do a PADI openwater course there is a swiming requirement I recall it's swim 200m and tread water for 10 minutes. There no time limit on the swim so more of a stamina thing than anything else.
The try dive hotel short courses don't have this and there will be a confined water or pool session to teach some skills before you get taken out by a instructor.
To be honest it's more about being comfortable in the water than being able to swim like a fish but some people do not like water and if they get freeky when out of their depth diving may not for them.
Kevin