New to OW diving - Question

[rookiediver]

Hi all. I am recently signed up for OW classes and look forward to my new hobby. I love the water. Snorkeling and Deep Sea fishing are my two favorite all time activities. SO I think I wil love Scuba.

Anyway. I am a big fitness addict and workout a lot. But I have not been in the pool or water since last summer. Should I consider getting in the pool some for a while and doing any type of conditoning for diving?

 

[dcs917]

If you are in reasonable shape and a good swimmer, you should have no problems. Many of the agencies will require a Doctor's Physical Exam (or at least a medical waiver) before beginning the OW program. During the OW training you will have to do a swim (freestyle, or whatever stroke you prefer - usually 200 yards), and also tread water for about 10 minutes. Again, if you are in reasonable shape, should not be a problem!

Good Luck!

 

[DaleHall]

Actually, all we had to do was 8 laps around the pool with mask, fins and snorkel and the 10 minute survival float.. No one in the class had any problems with that (we some some "older" folks in there, like myself, in their 40's), but there some slight cases of leg cramps due to not being used to the way you kick with fins.. Other than that, if you are health nut, you'll be in MUCH better shape than I was going into it.

 

[rookiediver]

Thanks. I am ot so much worried or questioning for the cert but more so for diving in general. But I imagine the answer is much the same. Thanks again.

 

[Diving Doc]

Yeah just about what the other guys said really mate....
Anyway, good luck and enjoy your diving

 

[mudhole]

Thanks. I am ot so much worried or questioning for the cert but more so for diving in general. But I imagine the answer is much the same. Thanks again.

Most recreational diving should be an easy phsical workout. . . good conditioning will be important "when things go wrong" the better your conditioning the safer you will remain in the water.

I once helped teach diving to a group of olympic level swimmers. . . They were hard to discourage swimming too much. When they learned we were going out to some islands a mile off shore, they all wanted to swim out there for a warm up. . . not a good idea with boat traffic.

Treat your class and dives as a relaxing, enjoyable time. Keep up your phsical conditioning as a background safety cushion.

 

[waterpirate]

To answer your question, I would recommend a strong cardio regimen to build endurance and lung capacity. After that a base level understanding of yoga and or meditation to help control your rate of breathing regardless of the situation, task loading, stress, or emergancy.
None of this is required or necassary for OW but will provide sound building blocks for the future along with skills you learn in OW.
This may sound extreme, but you asked.
Good luck and happy diving.
P.S. If you have a day or two free, research the thread"to those considering an open water class"
Eric

 

[rookiediver]

Thanks everyone. I really do appreciate the advice.

 

[Paco]

I agree that physical conditioning is important. That said, diving should be a relaxed, slow activity. I once heard (or read, can't remember which) that comparing swimming to diving is like comparing a marathon run to a stroll through an art museum. Swimmers go fast, divers should go slowly.

 

[plot]

Being in shape helps, but isn't a requirement. If you arn't in shape when you go scuba diving, you'll breath the air in your tank down faster and will have to end the dive sooner, that's about it.

In my OW class, all we had to do was swim to the end of the pool and back, then we jumped right into the scuba portion.