Pumuckl Goes Diving
FAQs
Here are some of my most frequently asked questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out in case there are any questions that you do not find below. For questions specifically about the classes, please see the "Classes" Page.
What is PADI?
PADI ist the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. PADI is the worl’s largest and most widley recognized recreational scuba diver training agency. As a PADI diver you will have earned the finest and most respected diver credentials available.
Can ear problems, diabetes, asthma, allergies or nicotine exclude someone from diving?
Not necessarily. Any circumstance that affects the ears, sinuses, function of the lungs or heart, or consciousness is to be taken seriously, but only a doctor can assess a particular person's risk. If necessary, doctors can consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) or AquaMed to assess whether someone is fit to dive. Download the declaration of your state of health and take the form with you to your doctor. Find your Dive Doctor here.
Can I try a dive?
Yes, you can do a “try dive” otherwise known as a Discover Scuba in the pool or confined Open Water. This will give you an opportunity to experience the fun of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment. You only need to show up with swim gear and dry clothes for after the dive and a towel. We will provide everything else.
How well do I have to swim?
Students must know how to swim and feel comfortable in the water. Students should be able to complete a short 200 Meter swim and a 10-Minute water treat to demonstrate basic swimming ability. As a Member of the German Life Guard Association, you can ask me for swim training.
Are there any medical issues that might keep me from diving?
Each student must complete a Medical Statement prior to training. This Document informs instructors of a students’ medical condition, if there is a YES answer to any of the medical questions then a PADI Medical Form must be signed off by doctor to pass you fit to dive. There are some conditions such as epilepsy, chronic ear infections, diabetes, active asthma, emphysema, heart disease, hemophilia that could prohibit a diver in the activity. Divers Alter Network (DAN) or Aqua-Med have very extensive Medical FAQ on their Website for more specific details.
My ears hurt when I dive down, does that mean I won’t be able to scuba dive?
No. Assuming you have no irregularities in your ears and sinuses and your last Flight was not within 24 Hourse prior to diving. The discomfort is the normal effect of water pressure pressing in on your Ear drum. Fortunately, our Body is designed to adjust for pressure changes in our ears – you just need to learn how. We will teach you ! If you have no difficulties adjusting to air pressure during flight, you’ll probably experience no problem learning to adjust to water pressure while diving.
Am I too old to dive?
Absolutely not! If you are in good health with a basic level of fitness there is no reason why you can’t dive and join this and many other diving adventures and explore the sea with all it’s colors and live.
How many people will be in my class?
PADI Standards give a max. Ration for 1:4 (1 Instructor to max. 4 Students) My Dive Classes are held in a VIP Climate. It is you who wants to learn how to Dive. The student receives my full attention which gives you the full benefit of receiving the best instructions on how to become a good diver. This VIP Class also gives you the ability to learn without pressure from other students. I operate under the PADI Standards to maintain the highest safety standards possible.
Is diving safe?
In my 25 Years of diving and snorkeling there has never been a serious incident. Modern dive training uses methods and techniques that have developed massively over the past four decades to make sure the educational system produce safe recreational divers. Because of this, scuba diving is on of the safer recreational activities in which you can participate.
What scuba gear do I need?
I will provide you with all the equipment that you will need for the corresponding course. You are welcome to bring and use your own gear. Basic gear is (Mask, Snorkel ad Fins) However, in diving we use Tech Fins where you need a diving Boot. Of course ultimately you want to buy your own gear but it’s a good idea to wait until you have your OWD certification before you purchase your own equipment. We will be happy to guide and advise you in selecting the best equipment for you as you begin to dive regularly and gain experience. However, it is nice to own your own mask and snorkel from the beginning, since these are personal items.
How long does it take to learn to dive?
It depends on the student’s pace. However, since we hold VIP Class Courses it can be done in 4-5 Days.
How long will my certification last?
Your PADI scuba certification does not expire but it is highly recommended that you keep in practice by just going diving. We offer FUN DIVES where you can join us for dives, and we integrate your whish.
Do women have any special concerns regarding diving?
Because physiologist know little about the effects of diving on the foetus, that recommendation is that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Menstruation is not a concern.
What happends if I run out of air?
That’s not likely to happen because you have a Gauge that tells you how much air you have at all times. This way you can return to the surface with a safety reserve remaining. However, if you should run out of air, your buddy has a spare Regulator (aka. Octopus) that allows you to share a single air supply while swimming to the surface. You will learn to manage such a situation (simulated) during your PADI Open Water Diver Course.
What if I feel claustrophobic?
People find the “weightlessness” of scuba diving to be quite freeing. Modern scuba masks are available in translucent models, which you may prefer if a mask makes you feel closed in. During your scuba training, your instructor gives you plenty of time to become comfortable with each stage of learning. That is a major benefit on a VIP Dive Course ! Your scuba instructor works with you at your own pace to ensure you master each skill necessary to become a capable scuba diver.
Which safety rules should I keep in mind?
Make all dives no decompression dives and allow a margin of safety. Have a means to monitor depth and time underwater. Limit maximum depth to your level of training and experience. Ascend at a rate of not more than 18 metres/60 feet per minute. Be a SAFE diver – Slowly Ascend from every dive.
Do I need to be a good swimmer to dive?
Certain swimming skills are required. You must have basic swimming skills to be comfortable in the water and to be able to move. Your PADI Instructor will assess this by having you show you the following:
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​ - Swim 200 meters/yards without any aids without stopping – or 300 meters/yards with mask, snorkel
and fins. There are no time limits for this, and the type of swimming is up to you.
- Float on the surface for 10 minutes and tread water; the method is also up to you for this.
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of the pool in a swimming pool or dive while snorkeling. Will this prevent me from becoming a diver?
No, provided there are no irregularities in your ears and sinuses. It's normal to feel uncomfortable when the water around you puts pressure on your eardrum. Luckily, our body is able to compensate for pressure changes in the ears – you just have to learn how to equalize the pressure as a diver. If you don't have trouble adapting to the changing cabin pressure on an airplane, then you probably won't have any trouble learning how to compensate for the changing water pressure while diving.
What about sharks?
If you're lucky, you'll also get to see sharks. Although there are incidents with sharks while diving, these are very rare and are mostly related to the harpooning of fish, or something happens during shark feedings; Divers should know that in both cases natural feeding behavior is triggered. Most of the time it will be the case that if you see a shark, it is just passing by and this is a rare experience to enjoy.
How deep do you dive?
With appropriate training and experience, the limit for recreational divers is a depth of 40 meters / 130 feet. (AOWD) Divers who have just started diving will maintain a shallower depth – a maximum of 18 meters / 60 feet (OWD). Even though these are the official depth limits, many dives take place at a water depth of less than 12 meters / 40 feet because the water is warmer there and the colors are more beautiful.
The minimum age is 10 years old (in most areas)
Student divers age 10 to 15 receive the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification as a diving license. When such divers turn 15 years old, they will receive the regular PADI Open Water Diver certification. Children under the age of 13 must have the consent of their parent or guardian to enroll in the PADI program.