Can You Scuba Dive If You Can’t Swim?

If you are interested in learning to scuba dive but are wondering if you are not able to swim would this be a problem. This is a common question asked by people wanting to try scuba diving or learn to scuba dive.

The short answer is that you can experience scuba diving without knowing how to swim but it will be very limited with only a few meters deep and not in open water. Also if want to get certified as a diver you will need to be able to swim at least 200 meters. It would be dangerous to go scuba diving and not be able to swim.

In today’s post, we will go through in more detail can you scuba dive if you can’t swim so let’s get started!

Can You Scuba Dive If You Can’t Swim?

The answer is yes but they are limits such as if you want to get certified as a diver. To get the diving cert you are required to be the ability to float for 10 minutes and swim 200 meters on unaided.

There are introductory scuba diving programs provide by the dive centers where swimming is not required. But it will be very limited with only a few meters deep and not in open water.

Is Scuba Diving Safe For Non-Swimmers?

No, diving is not safe for people who can not swim. This is why there are requirements to get the diving cert to be able to swim 200 meters.

What Is The Scuba Diving Introductory Program?

The scuba diving introductory program is as the title suggests. This is a program provided by PADI, SSI, and others. It gives people the very basic experience of scuba diving.

There is a dive professional in the water with you at all times, who is responsible for your safety during the program.

What's The Difference Between Swimming And Scuba Diving?

Scuba diving and swimming are different from diving going under the water and swimming staying on top.

You do not need much of that complicated equipment when you swim. After all, people who swim will rarely, if ever, go until their bodies come completely to the underwater parts of the swimming pools.

If there’s anything you’ll ever need when you swim, that would be not far away from buoys, swimming glasses, and hats, or other non-complicated swimming accessories.

On the other hand, you need equipment and gear when you go scuba diving such as seen oxygen tanks, scuba diving goggles, diving masks, and fins, and many other accessories. You need those since you are completely going underwater and you’re going to protect your body.

Since scuba diving and swimming are so different in their natures, can you be an expert on scuba diving without the ability to swim?

The answer is no.

Wrapping Up

Finally, you don’t need to swim to go scuba diving but they are limits. You will need to swim if interested in getting the diving cert dive. A non-swimmer can try the diving introduction programs that are available from dive centers. It is not safe to scuba dive and not been able to swim.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on can you scuba dive if you can’t swim has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.