Is Scuba Diving Physically Demanding
Most people look at scuba diving as a lazy sport. Scuba divers don’t seem like they are doing a lot while in water. This begs the question is scuba diving physically demanding?
Yes and no, scuba diving requires a certain level of physical fitness to ensure that change in pressure while diving doesn’t cause health complications. Divers also require physical strength to carry the diving gear and equipment which is quite heavy. The activity itself is very weightless and only engages the leg and core muscles.
In the early days of scuba diving, equipment, and gear were not well developed making the activity very physically demanding. Advancements in technology and manufacturing have improved the quality of gear produced.
Today diving fins have the strength and power to help divers move fast with little kicking effort. Buoyancy compensation devices allow divers to float underwater and also dive into deep depths. All these factors combined reduce the amount of energy divers have to apply while diving.
The advancements improve the diving experience. With minimal movements, marine life will not disperse making it difficult to observe them in their natural habitat.
Physical strength and fitness are still very important for divers. One has to be fit to stay in cold water for 30 minutes or more. Being physically fit means all other organs are functioning well and can continue doing so even with pressure changes.
In this article, we’ll look into scuba diving and physical fitness. How important is it and does scuba diving demand a lot of physical fitness and strength?
Keep reading to learn more!
Do you have to be physically fit to scuba dive?
Yes, you have to be physically fit to go scuba diving. Before scuba diving, divers fill out a medical form to check for their physical fitness.
In case of preexisting medical conditions, the diver takes a medical exam with their doctor to check if they are fit for diving. Your doctor will give you the best advice and also some tips to prepare for diving with your condition. In other cases, the doctor may fail to give you a go-ahead when there is enough reason indicating that scuba diving will put you at risk.
It’s always best to follow this advice, ignoring it increases your chances of getting injured or it could actually worsen your health problem.
When training for your first scuba certification, one requirement to pass the exam is swimming a 200-yard distance. Swimming requires physical strength and fitness to move forward and float.
This is a clear indication of the importance of physical fitness for scuba divers.
In addition, while diving emergencies can arise such as strong currents. Divers require physical strength and fitness to swim in these currents which can be overpowering.
In other cases, strong currents can drift you away from your team and you’ll be required to swim back to them or to safety. Without any physical fitness and strength, this can feel like an impossible mission for you.
Why Is Scuba Diving So Exhausting?
It’s normal to feel exhausted after scuba diving.
While scuba diving is considered a lazy sport, divers do burn calories while diving draining the energy reserves in the body leaving you tired.
In addition, carrying the diving gear and equipment requires your energy, the air cylinders are quite heavy to carry around. The diving gear is also heavy especially when out of water. Once your body is in the water the gear feels weightless.
For instance, the BCD helps you float in water but when on land it’s heavy to carry around. Remember you also have diving weights, on land these are just normal weights. Adding up the weight from the gear and that from the equipment, you’ll need a lot of energy to carry it from point A to B.
Another important thing to remember is that water draws heat away very fast meaning the body has to use the energy reserve to produce more heat to keep you warm.
Both physical and physiological processes going on while scuba diving plays a role in draining your energy. This makes divers feel exhausted after diving.
Read More: Is Scuba Diving Safe for Seniors?
Physical Fitness Activities for Scuba Diving
Scuba diving can help you maintain a healthy weight. Having a workout routine will prepare you for scuba diving and help you gain and build the strength required.
Some of the activities you can engage in include;
- Gym workout
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Aerobic exercises
- Planks
- Running
Physical fitness goes beyond muscle building. Engaging in activities that help build core strength is equally important.
Aerobic exercises and cardio help improve and maintain various internal processes. Having a good cardiovascular system is important in scuba diving.
Activities such as yoga not only improve your strength and endurance but also improves your breathing. All physical activities work on more than one aspect improving your overall physical fitness and wellness.
Is Scuba Diving Hard On Your Body?
No, scuba diving isn’t hard on your body. If you already have preexisting medical conditions then scuba diving can take a toll on your body and health.
Under normal conditions, scuba diving is easy on the body and actually improves a lot of processes in your body such as blood pressure and stress levels.
Many divers have reported the benefits of scuba diving and how it changed their lives. During difficult times in life, scuba diving will help take your mind off the issue.
Clearing the mind by being in the water and observing the beautiful marine life, you can actually find that you make more informed decisions after diving.
It’s important to take a medical exam if you feel unwell or when there are existing conditions. Many people do in fact enjoy diving even with conditions such as anxiety or disabilities.
Parting Words
We’ve looked at scuba diving and physical fitness and how demanding the sport is. Scuba diving is physically demanding but being physically fit will improve your diving experience.
Maintaining a physical fitness training routine is important and helps you stay prepared for the next dive.
One of the main importance of physical fitness and strength is to help divers carry the gear and equipment as well as stay safe while diving.
