Not A Strong Swimmer???

Have No Fear!

You can still go diving even if you're not a strong swimmer. Many of the skills/abilities one would typically associate with swimming do not really apply to scuba diving. Let's face it. In scuba diving--with the exception of the cognitive aspect--the equipment does most of the work  :)

Don't get me wrong; being a strong swimmer will make diving easier for you, but that is mostly due to comfort and familiarity with mobility in the water. The following is from the prerequisite list at the PADI dive shop where I got my certification:

ScubaCenter.com
"Do I have to be a strong swimmer?
No, you need only to be comfortable in the water and capable of swimming continuously for two hundred yards, and treading water/floating for 10 min."

So, if you're capable of propelling yourself (doggy-paddling counts) and you can keep your head above water, than you're good to go. 

You'll love scuba diving; it's a feeling like no other. It's the closest we non-astronauts will ever come to feeling weightless and getting to play around in a zero-G environment.




Plus, if you're still feeling nervous, you do all your early training in confined water (a pool), and you don't move on to open water until you and your instructor believe you're ready.