Is it possible for me to dive even though I don't know how to swim?

[Walter]

You can get certified through either PADI or SSI (perhaps others as well) without being able to swim if you can float for 10 minutes. Neither of those agencies require swimming, but they do require a 10 minute float. If you do dive without learning to swim first, you are greatly increasing your chances of a serious diving accident.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

You can get certified through either PADI or SSI (perhaps others as well) without being able to swim if you can float for 10 minutes. Neither of those agencies require swimming, but they do require a 10 minute float.

I did OW with PADI and there is a swimming test. "The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 183 metre/200 yard nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and 10 minute tread/float." I think you can do it with mask/snorkel/fins, but then you have to do 300 yeards...either way there is a swim test...

 

[DivingPrincessE]

Guys, thanks for the replies/informations.
I can't do threading but I can do backstroke. and I love snorkeling, I can stay in the water for like 30mins but with life jacket...
So, I decided I'll take up Intro dive first. If it turns out ok. I might continue my lesson to open water course. Hope I'll pass..

I think you meant to say/type that you "can't to treading" and if that is the case you need to learn or don't take open water. PADI (and prob others) require that you float or tread water for 10 minutes. Treading water is also the important skill you need to know if your BC fails and your waiting for the boat to pick you up. Swimming around doing the backstroke won't be an optimal way to help the boat find you, and will also make you invisible to other boats in the area that may run you over (yes this is if the OP doesn't have a safety sausage).

Also what do you mean, you can stay in the water for 30 minutes with a life jacket?? Can't you say in the water forever with a life jacket?? If being in the water for more than 30 minutes isn't for you, then neither is diving. Typically dive ops do two-tank dives, each one being around 50-60 minutes. If after 30 minutes you're over it and want to return to the boat, you are going to have a very unhappy buddy.

Sorry if I seem harsh, but diving isn't for everyone and it seems like too many people try to force it, and too many other people encourage it. If you don't like the water, don't know how to swim, are afraid of the water, are afraid of being under the water, or panic very easily...diving isn't for you. (I realize the OP is not all these things...more meant for all potential divers). Example, I think skydiving seems neat, but I am afraid of heights...I don't even like dramatic drops on roller coasters, so guess what...sky diving isn't for me. I have realized this and moved on.

 

[Sas]

I am a very new diver so just had some thoughts as training is still fresh in my mind! I would have to say it would be a pretty bad idea to go diving if you can't swim. I've swum for years and competitively on occasion so would consider myself a strong swimmer - but learning to dive required a lot of concentration and is quite exhausting. I'd imagine having to worry about swimming would mean less time making sure you grasp the other basic diving skills you are taught in an Open Water course and you wouldn't get as much out of the course. I know the equipment helps a lot but I have surfaced in rough water before and it really helps to be comfortable in the water in situations like this. Also you learn a few buoyancy skills just being a swimmer so it gives you a bit of an advantage when it comes to diving buoyancy.

My partner can't swim and even though I would *love* him to come diving with me, I would make him learn to swim first! I wouldn't be that comfortable with a buddy who couldn't swim to be honest... you have to consider others' safety too - not having great swimming skills can put your buddy at risk too.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I did OW with PADI and there is a swimming test. "The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 183 metre/200 yard nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and 10 minute tread/float." I think you can do it with mask/snorkel/fins, but then you have to do 300 yeards...either way there is a swim test...

Using a mask/snorkel/fins is not swimming ... most folks can manage that without knowing how to swim, all it takes is kicking.

But Lynne did ask an important question ... if you're on the water, what happens if you somehow find yourself IN the water without your gear?

I would not teach someone how to dive without them knowing how to swim ... despite the obvious safety concerns, comfort in the water is a huge part of diving. And someone who doesn't know how to swim is unlikely to be comfortable in the water.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Lenmonster]

I think it also depends on what he means by being a non-swimmer. Like FisherDVM, I'm not a great swimmer with traditional strokes like crawl...it's more because of the rhythmic breathing. But I am comfortable in the water, can backstroke, tread water and float for a long time, and do a pretty far underwater swim on a single breath. Some people think that unless they can swim a crawl stroke, they are a non-swimmer, because that's usually what they see when they see people swimming laps.

I was very nervous about my pool test, but it was REALLY easy...I just did backstroke the whole time, and I was faster than most of the other people in my class. Further, when diving, I've found it to be more comfortable to lay on my back to do a surface swim, or I'll swim with my reg or a snorkel.

That said, I'd like to eventually do a rescue course, and who knows how much further for training. Not to open a can of worms, but if I ever decide to do the DIRf class, they have timed swims, and I think I'd need to be able to do crawl pretty fast, or I won't hit their max times.

 

[Lenmonster]

I think you meant to say/type that you "can't to treading" and if that is the case you need to learn or don't take open water. PADI (and prob others) require that you float or tread water for 10 minutes. Treading water is also the important skill you need to know if your BC fails and your waiting for the boat to pick you up. Swimming around doing the backstroke won't be an optimal way to help the boat find you, and will also make you invisible to other boats in the area that may run you over (yes this is if the OP doesn't have a safety sausage).

Also what do you mean, you can stay in the water for 30 minutes with a life jacket?? Can't you say in the water forever with a life jacket?? If being in the water for more than 30 minutes isn't for you, then neither is diving. Typically dive ops do two-tank dives, each one being around 50-60 minutes. If after 30 minutes you're over it and want to return to the boat, you are going to have a very unhappy buddy.

Sorry if I seem harsh, but diving isn't for everyone and it seems like too many people try to force it, and too many other people encourage it. If you don't like the water, don't know how to swim, are afraid of the water, are afraid of being under the water, or panic very easily...diving isn't for you. (I realize the OP is not all these things...more meant for all potential divers). Example, I think skydiving seems neat, but I am afraid of heights...I don't even like dramatic drops on roller coasters, so guess what...sky diving isn't for me. I have realized this and moved on.

Agreed. No need to push it, and if diving is a big goal for someone, they should get enough water experience and comfort. There is a really interesting weekend seminar that travels around the country: Total Immersion Swimming

 

[Walter]

I did OW with PADI and there is a swimming test. "The swimming requirement for certification is an easy 183 metre/200 yard nonstop swim (with no time or specific stroke requirement) and 10 minute tread/float." I think you can do it with mask/snorkel/fins, but then you have to do 300 yeards...either way there is a swim test...

I'm very familiar with that requirement and even remember they made swimming option in 2000 (January, if memory serves). Yes, PADI and SSI (I don't know when they made swimming optional) have a "swim" test which you may pass by swimming or by snorkeling. I'm also very much aware that a non-swimmer can easily snorkel 300 yds. Prior to 2000, PADI actually did require swimming.

 

[rigdiver]

I'm very much interested to get open water certification. Is it possible for me to dive even though I don't know how to swim?

What if you NEED to?

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I don't see how someone that can't swim can snorkel. You still have to stay afloat and not become submerged. How is that not swimming? Would you throw your four year old child who can't swim into the water with fins, mask, and snorkel and assume they'll be fine because you don't have to know how to swim if you have a snorkel. That just doesn't make any sense to me. It's easier I guess, but it's still "swimming". I even looked up the defitinition of snorkeling, "the sport of swimming with a snorkel and face mask." My guess is that when the OP snorkels he has a life vest on.