Is learning swimming a necessity for scuba diving?

[asc2]

Is it a must to know professional swimming before you do scuba diving? Or you can learn both together? I just wonder, if you do not know how to swim at all, is it possible to do scuba diving?

[Charon]

Not sure what you mean by "professional swimming", however you ask "if you do not know how to swim at all...". I would say absolutely not.

I would suggest that you get a cheap life jacket/snorkleing vest, some fins, a snorkle, and a mask. Learn to use those till you are totally comfortable in the water breathing with your head submerged You should also be able to submerge and dive to at least 10 feet and return to the surface and continue breathing without needing to get your head above water.

You can see a great amount from the surface. I spent a month snorkleing the West river in Vermont while I was out there and often snorkle shore reefs rather than bother with all the equipment that SCUBA requires. Most of the reef life is in the first 20-30 feet and you can see that from the surface.

[mikek]

In theory, you don't need to know how to swim if all goes well with a dive. Wearing a mask, snorkel and a floatation device can keep you at the surface and no swimming would be needed. IF HOWEVER you would get into a situation where you were stranded or drifted away and you needed to swim, having some basic skills would be valuable. Plus, having some swimming ability will make you more comfy in the water. Lastly there is a swimming requirement in PADI training courses. 8 laps of a pool with each LAP being up and back depending on pool length. It is tough so swimming ability would be needed. When I certified, you also had to tread or float without touching side of pool or bottom of pool for 10 mins...

[Willdarb]

I think it is quite necessary because swimming theory is something similar. But I think when you will know how to dive you will also be able to learn how to swim a lot more easier later. So there are some pluses in it.
You can try how do you feel when you go diving but otherwise I think you just have to try and that's it.

[mikek]

Just to be clear, I do think it is better if you can swim, just saying that if all goes perfect, you generally don't actually swim on a normal dive.

[Ecodiver]

Yes, you do need to be able to swim (without any buoyancy aids) in order to complete the 200 meter swim requirement on the PADI Open Water course. You also have to tread water for 10 minutes, although you are allowed to simply float on your back.
So do learn to swim before taking up diving. The suggestion about snorkeling is a good one. I find that students are much more comfortable breathing underwater when they are confident snorkelers.
Diving is a great adventure. I'm sure you'll find it worthwhile.

[pinnacledive]

I agree that the PADI swimming requirements are a must. Especially where I dive. There are strong currents, strong wind and sometimes swell to contend with when coldwater diving on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Dont get me wrong the diving is amazing here but without being comfortable in the water and knowing your limits as a swimmer it can make diving in any conditions more work than fun. So my advice would be to spend sometime in a pool ans take some swimming lessons prior to starting your open water. That is if you have no idea how to swim though. Im just saying the stronger swimmer you are and the more comfortable you are in the water the less strenuous the adventure of diving will be for you !

Jessie
Pacific Pinnacle Scuba AdventuresHome - Pacific Pinnacle Scuba Adventures

[TDivers]

Originally Posted by mikek

Just to be clear, I do think it is better if you can swim, just saying that if all goes perfect, you generally don't actually swim on a normal dive.

Got to say but it is definetly better if you can swim because if you can't swim you aren't (or shouldn't) get certified.

The only time there may be a possibility of not swimming to dive is when someone chooses to do a DSD as there is no actual swim test or certification with this.