I was talking to someone I know who does a lot of scuba diving and I was surprised when he told me that you need not be a strong swimmer in order to learn scuba diving, and in fact you don’t even need to know how to swim (without diving fins) at all. Is this true?

Moviebuff hit it well. I was first certified YMCA, LA Co. and PADI in 1975. Since the instructor was certified for instruction from all three of the above, he gave us the hardest test and passed us for all three. YMCA was the hardest at that time. At that time, we had to swim 10 laps after each class and by the end of the course, swim 10 laps within 15 minutes. He could care less how you got there, as long as you could get through it within the time requirement. With a reasonable cardiovascular system, you can dog paddle that within the time requirements.

In the 1990’s, I was an equipment repair tech. at a dive shop. The certifying agency (who will remain nameless) the shop certified under eliminated the swimming requirements. My opinion was it was geared more toward equipment sales and did not want to push those away from class who could not pass the current swim tests. The instructors defended this by saying they were training divers to dive smarter, not stronger. My response was they were teaching divers to be equipment dependent and that no matter how smart you were as a diver, it did not compensate for a minimum level of physical proficiency required to survive adverse changes in ocean conditions. Especially in the temperate waters we live.

While it is doubtful anyone will ever use a freestyle stroke to rescue themselves in a diving emergency, I believe one must have a reasonable level of cardiovascular fitness to negotiate the ocean environment.

I just got certified for scuba diving (opem water) with my school and we rented our wet suites from scuba emporium. I would like to know if I could personally rent equipment from there if I ever go somewhere and I wanna dive. If you can how much is it.

I assume you mean the shop in Chicago? I don’t think I’ve ever come across a dive shop in 20 years of diving that doesn’t have rental equipment. If for some reason they don’t then just rent at another local shop. You just need your OW C card and a method of payment.
Typically, for a BC,lead,tank with fill and a suit will set you back about 100 bucks over a weekend. The rest of the gear you already ought to own having taken the course..

Nestled in a quiet cove behind South Rock lies a consistently favourite dive site. Anchored in the calm bay in 8metres of water, this site has it all. Sandy/rocky ground in the bay, to the finger reef that extends out from South Rock, where divers can swim through the Arch. See the resident Spanish lobster there-hence the name.

Spanish Arch Info: http://www.divewhite.co.nz/white-island-dive-sites.html#Spanish-Arch

White Island is one of the world’s best scuba diving destinations, it provides a very unique dive experience as New Zealand’s only active marine volcano.

Looking for the ultimate diving vacation? Look no further than a Dive White trip complete with PADI diving instructor to make your dive travel dream come true.

For more information visit:
http://www.divewhite.co.nz

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Malta Travel Guide.
Dive Malta & Gozo – Trailer:
A DVD Travel Guide on diving in Malta & Gozo. Both above water and under water. Order your Malta Travel Guide today under www.sealmen.com

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VOTE FOR THIS VIDEO ON THE AQUALUNG SITE:
http://www.aqualung.com/us/content/blogsection/18/339/

My thoughts on the Aqualung Slingshot Fins. Bottom line. The best fins I’ve used. Thanks Diver Dan’s Dive Center (Santa Clara, CA). Sports Clinic, Inc. (Fremont, CA). Dr. John Jaureguito (Fremont, CA).

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