I want to move from snorkeling to scuba diving. Unfortunately I am extremely overweight. I was going to get certified a few years ago, but felt very uncomfortable being so large. The dive instructor did nothing to ease my concerns so I bowed out of the lessons (He stopped just short of openly calling me fat as some other students tried on wet suits). I tried a resort dive last year and had no problems. Well, I had problems staying neutral, but having no lessons, I think I did ok.
I am now working out 5-6 days a week. I havent lost any weight, but my cardiovascular endurance is raising steadily. I can easy pass the swim test involved (I can swim and tread water for hours). Here are my questions:
Should I wait till I lose weight to get certified?
Do they make wet suits for larger people? All the ones I found are a few sizes too small. I need a size 20-22 womens.
I do most of my snorkeling in Florida, but I also want to dive in Missouri (where Im from). The water in MO is cold at deeper levels so I know Ill need a wet suit to really take full advantage of being a certified diver.
I am now working out 5-6 days a week. I havent lost any weight, but my cardiovascular endurance is raising steadily. I can easy pass the swim test involved (I can swim and tread water for hours). Here are my questions:
Should I wait till I lose weight to get certified?
Do they make wet suits for larger people? All the ones I found are a few sizes too small. I need a size 20-22 womens.
I do most of my snorkeling in Florida, but I also want to dive in Missouri (where Im from). The water in MO is cold at deeper levels so I know Ill need a wet suit to really take full advantage of being a certified diver.