Scuba diving used to be an activity that attracted adventurous people, who were very comfortable in the water, fit and healthy snorkelers and swimmers. Lately it has become a mainstream activity, that is advertised as something that anybody can pursue. The result of this marketing effort is that you can expect anybody to sign up for a diving course, regardless of their medical fitness, physical fitness or comfort level in the water.
This view of scuba diving as an activity for everyone is clearly a myth. You need to be medical fit to be a diver. One third of all diving accidents involve people who are medically unfit to dive. They should not be diving in the first place, and if they had a realistic view of how healthy and fit you need to be for diving, they probably would not have started to dive.
A good basic fitness level is just as important. When a dive goes as planned, and the conditions are easy, you do not need to be fit at all. But as soon as something happens; an equipment problem, a stronger current then expected, a long surface swim to the boat, you understand that fitness is crucial for safe and enjoyable diving. Some divers complain when a dive is tougher then expected, but the time they spend complaining would be better spend working out in the gym.
A good aquatic comfort level is mandatory for signing up for a diving course. It is bizarre, that sometimes even people who cannot swim at all sign up for a diving course! The only reason I can see for this is the continuous marketing efforts of the diving industry. Diving became a must for modern people: when you go to Paris, you have to see the Eiffel Tower, and when you go to the Red Sea, you have to do a diving course!
Diving is not a must, when you go on a holiday. You can also swim, snorkel, work on your suntan, party, go sight-seeing above the water, or read some good books. If you do not feel truly comfortable in the water, if water is not your element, then do not dive. There are 100.000 other interesting activities you can pursue.
If you decide to do a diving course, then you will first have to check if you are medically fit to dive, by filling out a medical statement, and if necessary , visiting a doctor. It is crucial for your safety that you are honest during this check. Once you are declared medically fit, you will also have to asses your fitness and aquatic comfort level.
If either your fitness or aquatic comfort level is not good enough, there is work to be done. A regular, good swimming workout solves both problems at the same time, and gives you a good foundation to start a diving course. It is an investment that will pay itself back in better health and more fun during your dives.
Thijs Hottenhuis,
Scuba Diving Instructor, Web-writer and Webmaster of:
"The Online Encyclopedia Of Scuba Diving Safety."
http://www.scuba-diving-links.com/
"The Biggest and most Up-To-Date Scuba Diving Links Directory on the Internet."
If you love scuba diving, you will love these two websites!
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