1. You can run out of air

We’re starting this list with probably the biggest fear people have about diving. You are relying on your oxygen tank to breathe and that means it is indeed possible to run out of air. However, PADI dive courses teach you exactly how to deal with situations like this. You will always be diving with a buddy who will be able to supplement your air supply long enough to end the dive and surface safely.

We may not be debunking this myth but reassuring you that there are procedures in place that you will learn so you can calmly deal with an ‘out of air’ situation.

2. Sharks are scary

Sharks have a terrible reputation for being the most vicious predators in the sea. Yes, they are at the top of the food chain, but this doesn’t mean they want to tuck into every diver that enters their habitat. In fact most shark attacks are a case of mistaken identity, for example surfers that sharks mistake for a tasty seal.

Sharks are incredible to watch in their home environment and diving around Gangga Island you are likely to encounter gentle reef sharks, which are perfectly safe to dive with.

3. It’s expensive

Getting your PADI Open Water Diver certification is actually about the same price as getting your drivers license! With this certification you can dive anywhere in the world up to 18m. This may be the only PADI course you choose to do or you can go on to higher skill levels.

Yes, dive gear can be pricy, but with proper care and storage it will last years even if you are an avid diver. Of course you can also choose not to buy your own gear to save that outlay but your dive trips may have the added cost of renting gear. If you ask any diver, I bet they’ll tell you that their PADI certification was 100% worth every penny.

4. You can’t dive if no one you know dives

Diving is one of those amazing sports that brings people together from every walk of life. If you want to dive but your friends/family/partner have no interest, don’t worry! You will always find a dive buddy in the scuba diving community.

Even if you are visiting somewhere like Gangga Island Resort & Spa, you will never be lonely. Divers love to talk, make friends, compare dives and share their experiences. You could become part of one incredible group of humans.

5. It’s time-consuming

Many people assume that learning something skilled like diving takes a long time. This myth can definitely be debunked because the diving part of a PADI Open Water Dive Course takes as little as 3 days!

The majority of your course work can now be done online at your own pace so your theory is almost all out of the way before you even do the practical work. You could be diving in just a few days!

6. You have to be good at studying and remembering procedure

Some people worry that they won’t be able to follow or remember all the PADI Dive procedures. PADI dive instructors like those at Gangga Divers are professional teachers and will walk you through every single step of diving.

There are very simple steps to follow before, during and after every dive you do and as you practice them on your first few dives they will become automatic. It’s not unlike driving a car in the way that you may find it very strange at first but it very quickly becomes second nature.

7. It’s only for super fit people

Anyone from 12 years upwards can learn to dive. If you have a serious condition that you visit your doctor about, you will already know if scuba diving is safe for you or not. If you worry that you may not be fit to dive, visiting your doctor to make sure is the best way to find out.

Lung function and cardiac stress tests are recommended for older people or those with asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD who would like to learn to dive.

8. It’s claustrophobic

Claustrophobia or panic attacks are a big fear for some people thinking about diving. In fact being underwater is actually proven to be one of the most relaxing things you can do. The serenity of floating and swimming and watching marine life is extremely calming. In fact, most people who have the fear of becoming panicky or claustrophobic report completely forgetting about the fear once they are underwater.

You must also remember that your dive instructor is a professional and will take care of you every step of the way. You are never left on your own while diving.

9. The sea is a scary place

Many people have a fear of the unknown and this is why diving can seem so scary. However, once you are trained and underwater diving you will be so busy looking at all the magical underwater sights, you won’t have time to be scared.

Once the unknown becomes something you can’t wait to explore it’s not the unknown anymore is it!

10. You need to be a fantastic swimmer

Of course as a diver you need to be able to swim, but only basic swimming skills are necessary. You will need to be able to swim 200 yards (180 metres) or tread water or float for 10 minutes.

As a diver you will be trying to expend as little energy as possible hence using fins to create greater thrust and faster speed with little effort.

Debunked! You have no excuse not to try scuba diving now!

There are lots of preconceived ideas about diving, which is why there are so many scuba diving myths. Hopefully we’ve given you a little more confidence and taken you one step closer to becoming a PADI Certified diver.

If you have any other questions or concerns about diving we haven’t addressed please add them to the comments section below.