Scuba diving overweight

[Freyja]

I know this may be a sore subject for some people but I would love to hear about your experience?
I have a BMI of 33 and I'm going to take my first scuba diving course soon. I have spoken to the diving company and they had no problem with my weight as I am perfectly healthy.
Anyone here who is overweight and scuba dives?

 

[sam_gordon]

I know this may be a sore subject for some people but I would love to hear about your experience?
I have a BMI of 33 and I'm going to take my first scuba diving course soon. I have spoken to the diving company and they had no problem with my weight as I am perfectly healthy.
Anyone here who is overweight and scuba dives?

If I may suggest, check with your doctor and make sure they're ok (especially if you have some issues like high blood pressure). Other than that, have fun!

I did my first dive two years ago as part of an "introductory class" at the resort we were staying at. It actually involved two dives. It was a neat experience (got to swim with a sea turtle), but I didn't "fall in love" with it.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I know this may be a sore subject for some people but I would love to hear about your experience?
I have a BMI of 33 and I'm going to take my first scuba diving course soon. I have spoken to the diving company and they had no problem with my weight as I am perfectly healthy.
Anyone here who is overweight and scuba dives?

I'm certified, and am definitely over weight. It's a great sport as long as you are physically able to dive (no blood pressure or cardiac issues, no history of blood clots, etc). The hardest part for me is getting on a wet suit! Being short and heavy isn't a standard size

As for diving itself, you'll probably need to add more weight to get neutral buoyancy, I know it seems opposite, but it's true, but that's just a matter of figuring out what your best weighting is. There's a basic rule of 1 pound of weight per 10 pounds of person, but I tend to need 2 - 4 pounds less than that rule, and when I'm not weighted, I can float with my head out of the water in a seated position.

I love diving in the Caribbean, the water is nice and warm and a swim shirt and board shorts is all I need. It's so relaxing and calm, and the stuff to see is awesome!

I highly recommend it, so go for it and have a great time!

 

[georgina]

My DH was quite overweight when he started diving. After a few years he decided that he no longer wanted to be the first one out of air on dives, and it was his inspiration to lose 80 lbs. He loves diving, it's not my thing.

I think at least one dive company required him to bring a letter from his doctor that he was OK medically to dive.

 

[sonnyjane]

As long as you're medically cleared by a doc if that's a concern, you should be just fine. I'm not necessarily overweight but I'm right on the border (25 BMI) and I do need a little more extra weight compared to most to keep me neutral as a previous poster mentioned. Also as a PP mentioned, I burn through air quicker. Haven't been in way too long. Have fun!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

My entire family scuba dives and my mother is short and round. The only issue she has run into is finding a wetsuit that fits. Wetsuits have a tendency to get longer as they get wider, so when she finds one that is big enough around it is about a foot or two too long.