Scuba Diving and Women
There was a time when men had the monopoly on diving, but those days are gone. Although women can face some unique challenges, we are every bit as effective and safe underwater as any man. Although you should be physically fit to dive, you don’t need to be an uber athelete. Because you and your equipment are essentially weightless in the water, strength is not much of a factor. All you need is a decent general level of fitness and a good head on your shoulders. You can do it
Yes, of course men and women should dive together! But women do have some special concerns and challenges when it comes to dive training. Women now comprise approximately 30% of divers worldwide. Training organizations as well as gear manufacturers are jumping on the women bandwagon more and more as they realize the commercial possibilities of catering to women entering this sport.
When I was certified 30 years ago women were very much in the minority. It was my privilege to train with Norine Rouse, marine activist and environmentalist. Although the training was tough, ir prepared us for some of the more ‘exciting’ things the ocean has thrown our way over the years.
Scuba Diving is a sport you can participate in well into your old age, as long as you remain reasonably fit. As such, it’s a sport for everyone, and it all starts with getting the right training.
Training:
* Consider choosing a woman instructor. Women are obviously more able to understand your challenges – they probably experienced the same ones along their way as well.
* Get good, solid training, even if it’s hard. If you are prepared for the worst, you will take day to day conditions in the oceans easily in your stride. Get references from past students and take your time in choosing your school.
* Do your research. The more you know about what to expect, the less frightening it will be. There;s a great publication called Undercurrent, where you will find the answers to just about every question you might have.
* If you live in a cold climate, consider taking your classroom and pool sessions in your home town, then take a tropical vacation to a dive destination and do your open water training there. Doing your open water dives without the added stress of cold water and low visibility is much more comfortable for most people.
* Ask questions! There is no such thing as a stupid question other than the question you don’t ask. If you are wondering about something, chances are that others in your class are as well.
Special Concerns and Suggestions:
* “The Curse” – Who hasn’t wondered what would happen if it just happened to be ‘that time of month’ when we encounter our first shark? Experience has proven it, absolutely nothing. Unlike the portrait painted by Peter Benchley, author of “Jaws”, it takes much more than a few drops of blood to get a shark excited.
* Consider using a smaller scuba tank. Most women can last longer on one tank of air than men, so carrying a standard aluminum 80 cubic foot scuba tank can be unnecessary.
* Check out Buoyancy Compensators (BCDs) that have been specifically designed for women. Consider a weight integral BCD so that you have one less piece of equipment to contend with. Many women find that distributing the lead creatively makes them more comfortable. Explore your options. This is especially important in colder climates where it is necessary to wear higher amounts of weights due to thicker wetsuits.
* Tie back that hair! There’s nothing worse than getting long hair tangled around your tank valve!
* Stay warm. There’s nothing fun about being underwater and being cold. If you’re cold, you won’t be relaxed. You’ll use up more air and may even want to abort your dive before it’s over. Wearing a wetsuit is always a good idea. There are always things underwater that might sting you, or to cut yourself on, and even if the water is warm, it’s a great idea to wear some level of protection.
Summary:
So if you have always wanted to try diving, go ahead and do it! Don’t think of diving as a sport only for men, it’s a great sport for all genders and all ages.
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