What part do you take issue with Walter? Gesguerra's comments sounded pretty reasonable to me.
Is it possible for me to dive even though I don't know how to swim?
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PalatkaBoy
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I would guess that Walter means how would you know he's a non-swimmer. I know I just assume (yes, I know...) everyone on the boat in a wetsuit can swim. Although I have seen a few people spash and then decide they can't do it and get back on the boat because they are too uncomfortable to dive even when the conditions aren't that bad.
I'm not taking issue with any of it. I agree completely. I'm merely asking how he knows if his buddy can swim. If it's someone you know well, I'm guessing you'll know, but often folks dive with people they don't know very well. Do you check a buddy's c-card? I don't. If I did, should I be suspicious of anyone holding a PADI or SSI (do any other agencies have a snorkeling option?) card dated January 2000 or later? Lots of PADI and SSI divers are excellent divers with excellent swimming skills, so that seems like that approach would be over reacting. Should I ask them if they can swim? How do I know they are being honest? Should I require a swim test before accepting a buddy? How would you know?
Bubble Lol
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I agree with DivingPrincessE. I would not even consider getting in the water unless confident as a swimmer. I'm not saying you need to a champion level swimmer, just confident enough and strong enough to do a surface swim haul yourself up a ladder if necessary. The reality is you may not always have someone to help you and you need to be able to help yourself. Ultimately, you will enjoy diving more if you are able to swim and are comfortable in the water.
Papa_Bear
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LEARN! It's not that hard! Then dive! :no
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The only way you'd know is if the person had a c-card from an agency that required you know how to swim before learning to dive (or a swimming cert).
Unfortunately, you often also have to assume the instructor actually required the student to complete the swim/float. Bad apples come in every alphabet!
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Beachlover
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Why would anybody even take such a chance? I would never get near the water if I could'nt swim, let alone submerge my whole body in it. If this person does learn to swim, then go get your c-card and jump in! It's great down here !
There is one governing body that all the agencies follow. Some agencies require more but as a minimum, they all require:
(2) Physical Conditioning and Watermanship Evaluation. The student shall effectively
demonstrate basic watermanship ability by performing, to an instructor, the watermanship evaluation required by a training organization. This watermanship evaluation shall include either: a) continuous 200 yard (183 metre) surface distance swim and a 10 minute survival swim/float without the use of mask, fins, snorkel or of other swimming aids; b) 300 yard swim using mask, fins and snorkel, and a 10 minute survival swim/float without mask, fins, snorkel or other swimming aid. If
an exposure suit is used, the wearer must be neutrally buoyant at the surface.
The idea, as it was explained to me, is that you should be (a) physically fit and (b) comfortable in the water. Under ideal circumstances you really don't need to know how to swim. Once you are neutrally bouyant, you can just float around. A little kicking of the legs and you can get to and from the boat/shore/whatever.
What if things go badly? What if you get caught in a rip current? What if you want to go drift diving? What if you have to quickly get to your buddy? Additionally, what if you have equipment failure or something (a shark?) stresses you. Will the inability to swim add to the stress? Probably.
Bottom line, it is in your best interest to know how to swim. The better you swim and the more time you spend in the water, the safer you will be when scuba diving.
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