“Do I need to be able to swim to scuba dive? The answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. It depends on the type of scuba diving experience you’re looking for.
SWIMMING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPEN WATER COURSE
If you want an Open Water Diver license or scuba certification, the answer is yes. Entry-level courses require swim and floating tests to earn certification. On the Open Water Diver course this is a 200m swim and a 10 minute tread or float.
The swim requirement isn’t about swimming while scuba diving. This ensures your safety and your group’s by helping you stay afloat if you need to remove your equipment, including your BCD.
SWIMMING ON A TRY SCUBA EXPERIENCE
However if you are looking at doing a Try Scuba experience. It is not 100% necessary to be able to swim. You will be under the direct supervision within arm’s reach of an SSI Instructor. Your Instructor will teach you to kick properly using fins in the water. The rest of the time you will be neutrally buoyant underwater. We still recommend being able to swim prior to trying or learning to scuba dive. This will enhance your confidence and the experience for you.
Ocean Tribe generally will do the scuba diving experience for non-swimmers. In a swimming pool or an other shallow water area. If you then decide you really want to continue with scuba diving. We have professional swimming instructors on staff who can run programs to aid you to learn to swim.
DISABLED DIVERS
The exception to this rule is. Those people with disabilities taking part on one of our SSI Classified Diver level 3 diver programs. These divers will be taken through the water by 3 SSI dive professionals. The pros are experienced in working with divers with disabilities. Therefore, swimming for these participants is not required due to the added safety measures.
For people with disabilities who are wishing to scuba dive or try diving. Contact our SSI Instructor Trainer Mark who is a specialist in this field. You will be surprised how many “disabled”conditions are able to get in the water and experience the wonders of scuba diving.
Contact us at Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach today. For more information regarding swimming lessons. Or to book your Try Scuba Diving experience or Open Water or Scuba Diver course.
