WOW!! Thank you everyone for all of the replies! Very informative answers! I know where to come from now on with the rest of my questions, that's for sure!
#1: I don't see it as a problem. Lots of students have facial piercings.
#2: Swimming lessons will never hurt. Treading/floating is part of PADI Open water. As long as you are in water too deep to stand in and don't hold onto anything, you should be able to swim around for that part.
Good to know! I agree with the lessons, I have a few lifeguard friends that I've asked and they said they will give me some help. So I think I will definitely do it.
It might give you a problem but it probably won't and if it does you can take it out, right?
If it's a PADI course, you will need to swim on the surface for 200 yards and float/tread/swim for 10 minutes. No stopping or hanging on the side of the pool is allowed. If you're concerned that you might not be able to do this, give your instructor a heads up now and ask for some help.
Ya, I can take all of my piercings out, no problem. My lip ring is just a pain to get back in at times is why I was wondering, because it's much easier to leave in. Haha!
Sorry - no idea whether the lip self-mutilation will affect using a regulator (I doubt whether it will make a significant difference). But I find myself compelled to ask -
WHY?
No worries! I get asked why a lot! ESPECIALLY because I have my ears gauged(stretched) to a rather large size. 1 & 1/4" to be exact. And the reason is boredom really. Haha! And I've always thought it looked cool. So I did it! I am also fairly heavily tattooed, so I get a lot of looks!
Take the lessons. If you're not confident in your abilities, you'll be more prone to getting scared if something goes wrong. Fear can lead to panic. Panic can lead to injury or death. The better swimmer you are, the more comfortable, confident diver you are. You'll have more fun and be much safer as a diver.
That's what I feel as well. I'm confident in my abilities to swim, especially with fins and a mask, it's just treading water that I'm not so confident with. But I agree, much better safe than sorry! I will be taking a few lessons!
Greetings Jeffykins! Welcome to SB and it is great to hear of your interest in diving. I think others have answered your questions very well, what I would add is that your instructor can make a huge difference. There have been many threads on this topic a little research will turn up a volume of information.
It is important for you to choose and then the hard part is over. Once you have an instructor follow his guidance and rules. Sometimes there could be differences in opinion but he is training you and therefore is responsible for your well being. It is always a good idea to get to know him or her before the final decision. Check out references and do not be afraid to ask questions.
Diving is really awesome the best advice I have is "GO FOR IT!". You are already on your way, researching and asking questions here on SB!
PS. Welcome to the diving community at large I think you will find many friends in your diving future! Good luck and happy training!
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!
Thank you very much for the warm welcome! :kiss2: Haha! I actually have what I feel a fun background which has garnered my intrest in Scuba. I posted and introduction when I first joined the board, but I can't remember what it said. Maybe I should post another one, and really let you guys know who I am, where I came from, where I want to go and why! Haha! So if you're interested, look out for another introduction in the correct forum!
PADI Divemaster requirements are actually:
400 metre/yard swim
15 minute float/tread
800 metre/yard snorkel swim
100 metre/yard diver tow
Very good to know. I do plan to become PADI Divemaster Certified.
There are some divers who consider bright, flashy, items to be a hazard underwater in that some fish (Barracuda) MAY consider these objects to be edible smaller fish.
I don't know that I would be concerned about this. A lot of dive gear is flashy (some 1st stage regulators, some belt buckles, snap hooks, etc) and I don't read about a lot of negative encounters. Nevertheless, it is probably worth thinking about.
Richard
Ya, I have actually thought about that. While my nose rings are silver, my lip ring is actually black and not shiny at all. But either way, I do appreciate the heads up!
Minor correction, While most people can float, many cannot. More specifically, a sizable number of people have specific gravities above one, even with lungs fully inflated and therefore will sink. Some have specific gravities high enough to sink in seawater, though this is a smaller number.
For these folks, following your instructions would result in a slow drift to the bottom of the pool.
Natural sinkers, are usually, but not necesssarily, highly athletic with low amounts of body fat. The group includes, professional dancers, cyclists, runners, ice skaters and other athletes, especially those where speed and agility are more important than strength.
Natural sinkers can swim, but need to devote some swimming effort to keeping on the surface, and so they work much harder and will tire more quickly. While they can't float they can tread water though with more effort than natural floaters.
Even among floaters, weight distrubition may be such that simply floating on ones back is impossible. The legs sink, torquing the body around into a vertical position, often with the nostrils below the waterline.
I'm posting this not to discourage anyone, but just the opposite; to encourage frustrated non- swimmers, who might give up diving unless they can overcome this hurdle. Even the densest natural sinker can swim or tread water well enough to pass the PADI or other requirements, but it requires extra effort and different swimming styles. Any good swimming instructor coach can help you. dF
Wow, I've never even given that any sort of thought, but it makes perfect sense! I can backfloat and whatnot if need be, I had to do it as a kid in swimming lessons, so maybe I can use that to my advantage! Haha!