Diving is a fascinating sport that allows you to explore the amazing underwater world. Thanks to modern techniques and equipment, almost anyone with a taste for underwater adventure can learn to scuba dive. Whether you dream of exploring coral reefs or discovering sunken wrecks, learning to dive is accessible to most people. Find out who can dive, what are the health contraindications, and what diving courses are worth considering at the beginning of your adventure with this unique sport.
Are there any health contraindications to learning scuba diving?
Although scuba diving is available to a wide range of people, there are some health contraindications that may prevent participation in diving courses. Fortunately, these are few in number and mainly concern more serious medical conditions.
The most common contraindications include:
- Asthma – people with asthma may have difficulty controlling their breathing underwater, which can lead to serious complications
- Respiratory failure – breathing problems can pose a serious threat when diving
- Heart disease – diving involves some physical exertion, and heart disease can increase the risk of complications
- Mental illnesses – mental disorders can affect the ability to make rational decisions underwater, which is crucial for safety
- People who have undergone surgery – especially ear, nose, lung and heart surgeries may require special care; in such cases, it is necessary to present a certificate from a doctor that there are no contraindications to diving
- Pregnancy – diving during pregnancy is not recommended, as pressure changes can affect the developing baby.
If you have any doubts about your health, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before taking a scuba diving course to make sure there are no contraindications to the sport.
Lack of high physical fitness is not a contraindication to taking a diving course
One of the biggest myths about scuba diving is the belief that it requires exceptional physical fitness. In fact, although diving involves some exertion, it is not a sport that requires extreme fitness. Of course, scuba diving requires moderate physical fitness to overcome the resistance of the water and to carry equipment, but most people who are able to undertake moderate physical exertion can successfully begin learning to scuba dive.
Do you need to be able to swim well to start learning to scuba dive?
Basic swimming skills are sufficient to start learning to dive. You don’t need to be a seasoned swimmer, but it’s important to feel comfortable in the water and have no fear of being under the surface. The ability to stay afloat and basic swimming techniques will be helpful, but are not essential – most diving courses also cover the basics to help you master moving through the water with diving equipment.
What types of diving are there?
Diving is a broad field that encompasses different types of underwater activities.
Here are the three most popular forms of diving:
- Snorkeling – is a more recreational form of diving that takes place at the surface of the water with a mask, breathing tube (snorkel) and fins. Snorkeling allows you to enjoy underwater landscapes without having to dive deep.
- Freediving – is diving on held breath, without the use of breathing equipment. Freediving requires excellent breath control and is often seen as the most natural form of diving, allowing a deep connection with the underwater world.
- Scuba Diving – the most popular form of diving, in which divers use compressed air cylinders, which allows them to stay underwater for longer periods of time. Scuba Diving is ideal for those who want to explore the depths of the oceans and admire the underwater flora and fauna.
Basic Freediving Diving Courses
Freediving, or diving on held breath, is one of the most challenging yet rewarding forms of exploring the underwater world. If you are interested in freediving, Deepspot offers a variety of courses to introduce you to this fascinating world – safely and regardless of your level.
- Try Freediving – This is an ideal course for people who are just beginning their diving adventure. It consists of a theoretical part, where participants learn basic safety rules, breathing techniques and mental preparation for diving on held breath. The practical part takes place in controlled pool conditions, where participants, under the guidance of an experienced instructor, learn how to safely submerge and ascend, as well as how to control their bodies underwater. This course provides a solid foundation and is an excellent introduction to further study of freediving.
- Deepspot Free 20m – this course is designed for people who already have basic freediving experience and want to develop their skills. The Deepspot Free 20m course focuses on learning advanced breathing techniques that allow you to stay underwater longer and use your body’s oxygen more efficiently. Participants in the course also learn pressure balance techniques (known as equalization), which are essential for comfortable submersion at depths of up to 20 meters. Practical exercises also include relaxation techniques to help manage anxiety and stress associated with greater depths.
- Deepspot Free 30m – this course is dedicated to more advanced freedivers who want to push their limits and dive to depths of up to 30 meters. During this course, participants perfect breathing techniques that allow them to use air even more efficiently, and learn advanced ascent and descent techniques. An important part of the course is also learning mental techniques that help maintain calm and concentration during deeper dives. This course also places a strong emphasis on safety, teaching participants how to handle emergency situations underwater.
- Deepspot Free 40m – is the most advanced freediving course offered by Deepspot, designed for experienced freedivers who want to reach depths of up to 40 meters. This course combines advanced breathing techniques, psychophysical balance and knowledge of diving physiology. Participants learn how to minimize oxygen consumption as much as possible, how to balance pressure effectively, and how to cope with the physical and mental challenges associated with diving at such great depths. This course is excellent preparation for professional freediving and sports competition.
Each of the courses offered by Deepspot is taught by experienced instructors who provide support at every stage of learning. Thanks to the variety of courses, both beginners and advanced freedivers can develop their skills and discover the beauty of the underwater world in safe, controlled conditions.
Scuba Diving courses for beginners
If you are interested in scuba diving with a cylinder, Scuba Diving is the perfect form for you. Deepspot offers a range of courses for beginners to immerse yourself in the world of underwater adventure:
- First dive with a cylinder – is an excellent diving course for beginners, that is, people who have never dived before. Participants learn the basics of scuba diving, how to use the equipment and spend their first moments underwater in controlled pool conditions.
- Deepspot Scuba Diver course – A more advanced course that culminates in a Scuba Diver certificate. The course teaches students diving theory, shallow depth diving techniques and safety rules.
- Deepspot Scuba 18m – A course for people who want to dive to depths of up to 18 meters. It offers full training in open water diving and prepares you for more advanced diving courses.
What is the PADI OWD (Open Water Diver) certification, what powers does it give you to dive and how do you get it?
The PADI OWD (Open Water Diver) certification is one of the most recognized and respected diving certifications in the world. It is a course that introduces participants to the world of scuba diving, teaching them all the essential skills they need to dive independently in open water.
The PADI OWD course consists of several stages that include:
- Theoretical classes – learning the basics of scuba diving, safety theory, the principles of breathing underwater and the operation of equipment.
- Classes in the pool – practical exercises in safe, controlled conditions to master diving techniques.
- Open-water diving – classes that take place in actual open-water conditions, such as in lakes or oceans, where participants can apply the knowledge they have learned in practice.
OWD certification gives you the authority to dive independently to a depth of 18 meters, allowing you to explore amazing underwater worlds. This course can be completed at Deepspot by enrolling in the PADI OWD course or the Upgrade Indoor to Open Water Diver (OWD) course. OWD courses can also be completed through the SSI organization.
A diver with an OWD diving degree can develop his skills, among others. On the Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) course and various specialized courses.
OWD certificate and swimming skills allow you to explore the amazing underwater world on your own
Having an OWD certificate and the swimming skills acquired during the course allows you to explore the fascinating underwater world on your own. This allows you to explore coral reefs, sunken shipwrecks or diverse marine ecosystems. Independent diving with PADI OWD certification is not only an amazing adventure, but also an opportunity to learn and understand the richness of nature that lies beneath the water.
Snorkeling training
Snorkeling is an ideal option for those who want to admire the underwater world from the surface of the water. It is a more recreational form of diving that does not require advanced equipment. At Deepspot, we offer snorkeling training courses that will introduce you to the basics of the sport and allow you to get the most out of it.
Taking a professional diving course allows you to learn the rules of safe diving
Learning to dive on your own can be time-consuming, less effective and potentially dangerous. That’s why it’s a good idea to enroll in a professional diving course, which allows you to quickly and efficiently master all the necessary techniques and safety rules. In addition, diving is prohibited in many places for those without the proper credentials, making diving courses an essential step for anyone serious about diving.
Why sign up for a scuba diving course at Deepspot pool?
Deepspot offers a wide range of diving courses to suit different levels and needs. With professional instructors and exceptional pool conditions, learning to dive becomes a pleasure. Deepspot is one of the world’s deepest diving pools, offering realistic learning conditions, varying depth levels and unique underwater attractions. Taking diving courses at Deepspot is not only an investment in skills, but also an unforgettable experience that will open the door to a fascinating world underwater.