this may sound like a dumb question

[Marty-Graw]

is it absolutely necesary to know how to swim to get scuba certified?......i have no doubt that it would be better but what i want to know ...... is it crucial to know how?

i know that in an emergency you may have to come to the surface without oxygen but im wouldnt be going very deep anyway maybe 10 or 12 feet at the most....most likely i will have some kind of surface supplied air anyway.....just something i am looking into and was just curious.... thank you in advance for your input

 

[army82]

You have to pass a swim test. Sorry

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I am not trying to sound like a smart a$$, I hope I don't offend you, but if you can't swim how you going to get to the surface?

Take swimming lessons first, knowing how to swim is a lot more important then scuba. If your really interested in scuba, swimming will be easy and you will learn quickly.

 

[Sandman]

Treasure Hunter is right! Your swimming doesn't have to be having to swim like a Navy Seal. NO scuba school will certify you if you can't swim because of litigation. One thing the school does is yank off your mask underwater. You will have to put it back on your face down on the bottom of the pool without panic.

You'll feel better knowing your safe.

 

[spez401]

I would argue that swimming is a neccessary skill for anyone who goes NEAR water of anykind. But, yes. Swimming is required in diving. Go to your local YMCA, they usually have adult programs.

Little side note... I always said that my kids were going to learn how to swim early (I have a 4yr old and a 2 yr old). Last summer, my daughter, who was just turning 4, slipped and fell head first into a small pond at my parents house. She slipped on a rock and fell forward. I was about 5 feet away from her. She was underwater for all of 2 seconds, but right then I could see that she would drown if I wasn't there. So... in the 2 seconds it took me to jump into the water and drag her out, I had already decided that "Next week she starts swim lessons".

steve

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I made both of my kids take swimming lessons at the same time at early ages. Daughter was 11 son was 6, they were mad at me, told me I was mean. I told them I didn't care if they thought it was mean, even told my wife at the time, she had no say in it as far as taking lessons, she swam a little and thought it was ok if they just learned to tread water. I said no, they would not just swim a little, they would know how to swim like fish, they would never accidently drown because they couldn't swim. They took the lessons for 3 years, they both can now swim and if need be save their lives if they had too.

To me being able to swim is the same as being able to dial 911, you neve know when you might need it.