As a likely learner scuba diver you will have lots of questions in your head, from worrying around breathing underwater to is it cold and wet. What is all of that gear for that you are carrying and is it difficult? Here are answers to just some of the beginners diving questions!
Is diving difficult to learn?
In a word, "No"! The courses are designed so that children of 12 with average intelligence can follow and pass them, so the average adult should have no problems. I often found my instructor apologising because the course went too basic.
Do you have to be able to swim?
A little way. Depending on what organisation you are learning with, your swim test will be around 200m followed by float / treading water for 10 minutes. The 200m swim might be any style and might take you all day!
Is diving scary?
I have seen beginners panic on entering the water and trying to breath underwater merely on the pool based part of the course. Merely relax, enjoy the experience of watching your bubbles leaving you and remember that you are just waist deep in the pool. You will soon get more than it!
Do I need my own scuba diving gear?
Not really, at least not whilst you are learning. You may like to buy your own mask, fins and snorkel. Be certain these are proper diving equipment, bought from a dive shop and ask the staff their to fit you correctly. With these you might try snorkeling in any suitable water for fun and experience
Is scuba diving dangerous?
If you have seen all of the emergency rescue programs on the television, you will have seen stacks of divers plucked constantly from the water. But, most of these are diving quite deep, in cold water.
There are still risks, even at merely several metres down, but that is what your training is for - to teach you how to prevent these risks and what to do if there is a problem.
Is all of the training in water?
No! The first element of the course is classroom based, watching DVDs, talking to your instructor and completing multiple-choice tests to be sure that you have understood the lesson (remember the tests are suitable for 12 year olds).
Next, you will venture to a pool to learn how to kit up, take your first underwater breaths, practice the techniques and be certain that you are happy.
Finally you will venture into 'open water', which can be the sea or suitable quarry, where you will carry out 4 dives of up to around 40 minutes each, with each dive being slightly deeper than the last, until you are diving down to 18 metres (or your training body's maximum).
Where can I learn?
You can learn at home, on holiday or split the training between both. It is up to you and can depend on where you will be diving in the future.
If you have any more questions, do feel free to call into my weblog and leave me a comment and I will try to get back to you! Happy diving and dive safely.
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