Do You Need to Know How to Swim to Become a PADI Open Water Diver?
Become a PADI Open Water Diver PADI Open Water Course Gili Islands | Oceans 5 Gili Air Scuba diving opens up a world of wonder beneath the waves—but before taking that first breath underwater, many beginners ask a simple yet vital question: “Do I need to know how to swim to become a diver?” The answer is yes—at least if you want to become a fully certified PADI Open Water Diver . Here's why swimming ability matters, what PADI requires, and what options exist if you're not yet a confident swimmer. Why Swimming Skills Are Essential for Divers Becoming a scuba diver means spending significant time in the ocean. Whether you're preparing for a dive from a boat or walking into the water from the shore, the ocean is an unpredictable environment. As a diver, you must be prepared not only to enjoy the underwater world but also to handle the unexpected. Imagine the following scenarios: You fall off the boat before or after a dive. The boat experiences a mechanical failure or is ...