My company is sending me to Koh Samui , Thailand next month (October). Several colleagues are planning a scuba diving event - but I can't swim - what can I do? One colleague confided to me that she can't swim either, but that scuba diving is not like swimming and can be done by anyone? Is this true?
2006-09-11 12:39:53 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Thailand
Been a diving instructor..I do worry about those that think they are " Great " swimmers than those that can't..Tell the instuctor, he will be grateful, and help you through it. I also fly a plane, and can't actually fly without the plane. Enjoy the experience, don't be afraid.and at the end you will actually probably be able to swim as an added bonus. Thailand in Oct. is amazing, the diving is the best experience to have..Have faith you won't regret it
2006-09-11 13:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you can probably scuba dive without knowing how to swim, as long as you are not scared. If you are scared, you will have a hard time no matter what. But I don't think it's that important to know how to swim. I used to live in Hawaii and they have tons of scuba diving companies there that promise to teach anyone how to scuba dive in an hour or in a day or something like that; I'm sure that, if you go with a guide and/or instructor, they will watch out for you. Good luck! Just be sure to always follow the buddy rule! Stick with a buddy! And for sure don't go without a guide. A good guide isn't going to let you do anything dangerous. A good guide won't let you go at all if not being able to swim is a bad thing. So listen to them! Who cares what your colleagues think? Be safe.
2006-09-11 12:49:00 · answer #2 · answered by KJC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are planning on getting certified you will have to know how to swim. You must prove you can swim during the pool training. There is something called a resort course where you do a very brief training session then they take you on a shallow dive. My biggest concern for you though would be more of a panic factor knowing you are 20-30 feet deep under water and you knowing that you can't swim. Also when you first get into the water, you usually are jumping into it from the dive boat. How are you going to react when you hit the water?
2006-09-11 13:08:56 · answer #3 · answered by Sportsterjohn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
scuba dive operators are *supposed* to examine your scuba certification card before allowing you onto their boat or renting you their equipment. To obtain the certification card, you must show (among other things) that you can swim a certain distance without stopping - I think it is 200m - but you may swim that distance as slowly as you like. Given the many ways that one can die while scuba diving if not properly trained, if you cannot swim at all, I would not suggest trying to find a resort that doesn't follow the rules! There are no universal rules for snorkeling.
2016-03-26 21:05:16 · answer #4 · answered by Janice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's possible...scuba diving might be different than swimming, but being able to swim could save your life if something happened. You should take some lessons and start to learn how to swim now. Even if you can't swim very well, you should at least have an idea how to do so.
2006-09-11 12:46:21 · answer #5 · answered by Katrina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. I know that a non-swimmer can scuba dive, but the non-swimmer does not know that and fear will circumvent his attempt. I have taught children to swim and it always involves overcoming fear. Once the fear is gone, you swim. I saw a sister pulling her brother through the pool by holding his hands. He was screaming in loud boisterous fearful voice. Walking by and seeing this, I told the sister that if she would hold him under the arms that he would stop screaming. She did that and just like that the boy stopped screaming. He went from fear of drowning to feeling secure. This is the whole secret to swimming, overcoming fear of the water. Anyone can swim. The body is naturally buoyant. Once you relax you can swim. Get started with some lessons NOW. Be humble and do it. Then when you go on your trip you will be super glad you did. Time to get rid of that fear. Swimming is easy.
2006-09-11 13:05:26 · answer #6 · answered by pshdsa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't recommend it, you will need to swim out to shallow water for an introduction to it, if they see you are struggling they more than likely wont let you go. If they do, once your off the boat and in the water you need to tread water before you start to descend (a part of swimming), and when under water you need to get use to the different weigh down effect and adjust accordingly and swim under water. A big thing in scuba diving is breathing in stead of just doing breathing normally you need to think about the breaths you take (deeper & longer). If you are going to under the water and you cant swim you more than likely panic and forget to breath properly. If you take some lessons before it you might be alright scuba diving or even snorkleing. Good luck with it, its an awesome experience.
2006-09-11 12:57:32 · answer #7 · answered by *Aus*Surfer*Girl* 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No!!!! You must free swim for 3 mins as part of the certification process. If you can't swim then scuba is very dangerous as without the ability to control your direction/assent/decent you could quite quickly end up drowned!
If you wish to dive, then i suggest you get swimming lessons!!!
2006-09-11 13:13:28 · answer #8 · answered by pootle_monster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately no -- licensed scuba instructors are not allowed to certify anyone who can't swim. That doesn't mean you won't find a crook or scam artist who will sell you a scuba ticket, but it does drastically increase your chances of drowning when something goes wrong with the equipment.
2006-09-11 13:01:34 · answer #9 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You better start taking lessons... Its tough to learn how to scuba dive without knowing how to swim..
2006-09-11 12:44:41 · answer #10 · answered by amanda12010 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋