Scuba Diving Without An Open Water Certification

by Kira
(Columbia, SC USA)

Hi,

My husband and I are going to a FL wedding and the bride and groom rented a boat for the wedding party to go diving. They are both certified, as are my sister and I.

My husband wants to go, but I told him he needs to be certified and can't just go diving without any diving education.

Am I right, or can he have his "first dive" without being certified?

Hi Kira,

Far be it from me to get between a husband and wife, but I will :).

Kira, I have to say I am 100% behind you on this point. While it may seem easy and "no problem" to just go diving with everyone else, there are many risks he will be taking and he will be exposing others to some risks as well.

Since you are certified, you understand those risks and know how to best minimize them. Let's face it, there is always some risk while diving, even if you are certified. But we have learned how to best deal with those risks.

However, if someone goes diving without training and education, the possibility of something going wrong increases exponentially.

Even if your husband does not go very deep, there is still the chance of the "bends" among other things. What if he panics underwater? He could also put another diver at risk as they attempt to help him.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

While I can understand your husband wanting to go diving, I would not recommend it at all. Since you are in Florida, maybe he can take a resort course/introduction to scuba course while you are out diving. That way he will get some education and see if he wants to pursue it further.

I know this is not what he wants to hear, but I think it is the safest and most prudent option.

After all, I am sure he does not want to spend the wedding day in the "chamber".

Let us know how it goes. And tell your husband I am sorry!