10 Myths About Diving

SCUBA Diving is Dangerous

Proabably the biggest myth of them all is that SCUBA diving is dangerous. Statistically you are more likely to suffer a fatal accident on a boating trip, when you are swimming or even (nowhere near the water) just being in your home!

Recreational Diving is Expensive

This is simply not true. Many dive centers nowadays offer very reasonably priced courses to help you get qualified (PADI, CMAS etc.). Buying the basic trio of snorkel, mask and fins will far from cost the earth and most of the other required SCUBA gear (cylinders and air, BCD, weights etc.) will likely be bundled into any dive package you purchase from a dive center.

You Have to be a Good Swimmer

You DO NOT need to be a good swimmer to enjoy diving. The very nature of SCUBA diving, i.e. being weightless (or at least neutrally buoyant), makes your passage through water easier.

You Should Not Dive If You Suffer From Claustrophobia

Many people who are claustrophobic are able to dive. For some people their claustrophobia is not a problem at all, while for others diving has helped them to overcome their fears.

Recreational Diving is not Considered a Sport

What is a sport? Recreational diving is most likely not a competitive activity but it certainly requires training and special equipment, mental focus, skill, dexterity and teamworking abilities.

Diving is Only for Men

Further statistical evidence shows that SCUBA diving is becoming increasignly popular with women: large dive training organizations claim that up to 50% of all dive certifications today are for women.

Diving is Only for Adults

Most diving centers require that divers be 15 or over.

Divers Are Shark Bait

The movie Jaws has helped to propogate this particular myth. Sharks do occasionally bite people, but most of them are either swimming or surfing. Although sometimes these attacks can be serious, you are more likely to die from a dog attacking you than a shark.

Diving is Not Environmentally Friendly

Most divers and dive organizations are extremely aware and sensitive to the marine eco-systems they visit. In fact, most people that take up diving gain more of an appreciation of the beauty and mystery of all life on our planet. It could be argued that diving helps to make people more environmentally aware.

The Diving Experience is Only Good in the Summer

The weather does not have to be hot to go diving. If you dive in colder climes you can wear dry suits which keep the water away from you body thereby allowing you to wear clothing.