Scuba - I've always wanted to!!

wally1uk
wally1uk Posts: 120
in Fitness and Exercise
I've always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, but I've always been too big before...I'm now around 214 and was wondering if that is still too big to do it...any trained scuba divers on here that can help with a bit of advice? I have a school really local now I have moved but I think I just need a bit of confidence to go do the taster session without feeling an idiot!!

Help please :)

Replies

  • mostaverage
    mostaverage Posts: 202 Member
    If you are reasonably fit & can swim well enough then weight is not an issue - you would just need more lead on your belt to combat buoyancy - I've dived when heavier than 214 & still been smaller than a few guys that were regulars so go give it a go! It's an amazing experience (especially in the warm waters of the caribbean!)
  • theprincereturns
    theprincereturns Posts: 6
    I just completed my PADI open water cert recently and it was a lot of fun. You can totaly dive at 214. There was one guy in our class who was like 6"3 320 (they had trouble fitting him in a wetsuit and BCD). Basically you just have to find out if the dive shop you are going to do it with has the right size gear. You shouldn't have any trouble though. fitness wise you do have to swim i think 200 meters in open water (with wetsuit - makes it easier) but there is no time limit.

    The heavier you does cause you to burn more air and be slightly more of a risk for Decompression Sickness (more nitrogen absorption and longer disipation time), but this won't make any difference on the Open water cert as you arn't going to be down for that long or testing any depth limits (open water cert usually doesn't go below 60ft). Just know if you are using a computer or dive tables maybe be a little on the conservative side until you know your limits better.
  • divemunkey
    divemunkey Posts: 288 Member
    Yes, what those guys said. I think I got certified when I was close to that weight, and had those issues. It worked out fine for me. I loved it so much, it became a motivator for me to stop smoking and start to get healthier to make my dives safer.
  • trhops
    trhops Posts: 295 Member
    Diver here, and my husband works for a dive shop. We got OW certified this past August and when we were done it became such an addiction he got a job at the dive shop.

    They sell gear for all sizes and I have gone on dives with indivduals of all sizes. No worries, you just have to be able to swim the required number of meters for certification. I am trying to get my remaining 25 lbs off and get in shape so that I can have better and longer dives!

Categories