While scuba diving is picking up as a common underwater activity, a common response you would get if you said you went scuba diving is “Oh wow! What was it like? Weren’t you afraid of the sharks?”, followed by a number of other questions indicating their apprehensions and curiosity.
In this article we attempt to answer these questions for all you non-divers out there who might be looking to better understand scuba diving. Hopefully this will help you take the next big step to try-dive or even get certified and explore the underwater world for yourself. And maybe next time you hear someone say scuba divers will get eaten by sharks, you can dispel such misinformation by what you have learnt here!
Do I need to know how to swim to go scuba diving?
The short answer is yes, and no. If you are a non-swimmer who is interested in trying scuba diving and want to explore the oceans, the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program is a perfect fit. Under this program, you are not required to know how to swim and a dive master will assist you during the dive. However, you will be required to perform a few easy underwater skills during pool training prior to the dive (Check out our Discover Scuba Diving itinerary for more details).
For the Open Water Diver course, which is the first level of scuba certification, it is mandatory to perform a swim test in which you will be required to swim a distance of 200 m (300 m with fins and snorkel) and be able to float for 10 minutes. The course will only be taken forward once you have satisfactorily met these requirements. (Check out our Open Water Diver itinerary for more details)
How deep can I dive?
The ocean’s best kept secrets can be found in the deeper parts of the ocean and since it is not all that accessible, the corals and marine life here is thriving to its fullest. However, there are limits to how far down you can dive. Recreational divers are allowed to dive to a maximum depth of 30 m/100 ft. (40 m/131 ft. if they have completed their Deep Speciality course). Diving below this limit is only accessible to those who have completed their Technical Diving course, generally known as tech divers.
Typically, as a Discover Scuba Diver, you will be diving to a maximum depth of 12 m/40 ft. If you are getting certified and doing your Open Water Diver course, you will be diving to a maximum depth of 18 m/60 ft. As an Advanced Open Water Diver, you will be certified to dive to 30 m/100 ft. (Check out our Advanced Open Water Diver itinerary for more details)
Regardless of how deep you are diving, the ocean has so much to offer. While pelagic life is typically found in the deep sites, the shallow sites are home to octopuses, rays, a variety of fish along with macro life and stunning corals.
How long does a scuba diving course take?
The Open Water Diver course is the first level of scuba certification. It consists of three elements; theory, confined water skills and open water dives. At the time of booking your course, your dive shop will explain to you that it is important to finish the theory before starting with confined water skills. The theory element of this course is considerably lengthy but extremely easy to get through. The amount of time taken to complete the theory entirely depends on the pace at which you read through it. The actual course once you reach your dive location takes four days to complete. Two days are allocated for the confined water skills and two days for the open water dives.
If you are looking to take a step ahead and also do your Advanced Open Water Diver course which consists of theory and five dives, an additional 2-3 days will suffice for the same.
Doing a certificate course in scuba diving is significantly less time consuming than most other adventure sports. If you have a long weekend coming up, that’s your cue to go get scuba certified!
Aren’t you afraid of shark attacks?
We are not and you shouldn’t be either! In fact, sharks are on the top of the list of things that excite scuba divers. Most scuba divers go looking for sharks or travel to dive locations known for shark sightings. Sharks tend to be quite disinterested in scuba divers and do not aggressively react to their presence. A lot of the ideas around “shark attacks” are pop culture driven thanks to movies like Jaws or The Meg (seriously what was that movie?!). Truth is, sharks are in far more danger from us than we are from them. Millions of sharks are killed every year in annual shark hunting festivals, for medicines or even for something as little as a bowl of soup. Different species of sharks are inching towards extinction due to these practices, posing a threat to the marine ecosystem.
Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining balance in the oceans and also add so much beauty to it. So when you’re out diving next, be sure to look out for sharks and live in that moment for it might be one of the best in your life!
Will my ears hurt?
As we descend underwater, the pressure on our ears increases gradually and compresses the surface-pressure air in our middle ear which causes a stabbing pain. But but but! How would we dive if we are bothered by a stabbing pain in our ears? This is where the technique of ‘equalising’ comes in handy. During your dive courses, your instructor will teach you how to equalise and the necessity of doing it continuously as you descend. The idea is to exhale through your nose while pinching your nose close. This gives a ‘pop’ feeling in your ears, thus adjusting to the pressure around you. This is very similar to what you might have experienced while on an aeroplane.
So as long as you’re equalising, there is absolutely no pain that you would experience while scuba diving!
What do we get to see underwater?
Oh, everything! From shipwrecks to art instalments, macro life to humpback whales and even snakes, the ocean is full of surprises. Every dive site is different in its own way and has a plethora of marine life, corals and vast seabeds for you to enjoy. Needless to say, if you are doing a wreck dive then you get to explore a shipwreck that holds so much history (and maybe some ghosts?) and it is also a great setting to perfect your buoyancy. A number of dive locations also have what can be called an ‘underwater museum’ with age old statues submerged in the ocean.
The ocean's offerings are limitless and every dive is exciting and an adventure filled activity. While we can only tell you in words, you have to see it yourself to understand what lies under those deep blue waters.
Can I still dive if I wear prescription glasses?
Absolutely! Even those of you wearing prescription glasses can scuba dive without any issues. If you have negligible power in your eyes, you will still be able to see clearly through your mask. If your power is higher and you have trouble without your glasses, we recommend two of the following alternatives. One, you can wear your contact lenses. Although you might have to close your eyes in case your mask floods to avoid salt water from entering your eyes. Two, you can get a prescription scuba mask! The scuba mask can be adjusted to your power to enable you to dive hassle free without the worry of contact lenses.
Get in touch with your scuba operator to inform them of your requirements and discuss the available options beforehand to aid your dive.
Is there an age limit for scuba diving?
Scuba diving is for anyone and everyone who is in good health and has the physical ability to handle the equipment. They should also be able to understand and comprehend safety requirements and follow them responsibly.
There is no upper age limit for scuba diving. As long as one is physically fit and meets the health requirements laid down, they are all good to go! A general medical undertaking is required from anyone who is signing up to dive but for people who are 45 years and above it is mandatory to get a medical clearance from their physician.
While there is no upper limit, there is a minimum age limit for scuba diving. Children from the age of 8 are allowed to do non-certificate courses and from the age of 10 can do the Junior Open Water Diver course. They will receive the same certification as adults once they are 15-16 years of age.
Dive shops also enable physically challenged individuals to try scuba diving with the help of specially trained dive masters and instructors.
While there is so much more to scuba diving, these are some of the most common questions or apprehensions that non-divers have. We hope to have satisfactorily answered the questions and driven away any fears that you might have had that were standing in the way of you becoming a scuba diver. Do reach out to us if you have any further doubts or wish to find out more about our dive packages
