Just got news that a certified scuba instructor with one of the dive centers in Zurich is planning to offer this spring OWD and AOWD in English. So for those keen to get certified, it is not too early to start planning!

May we have the name of the Dive Center pls.?

I think I know who Snowediver is referring to and if I'm right, its a great place to be....

http://dive.baersport.ch/



Pretty good Dive center based out in Wädenswil......

The site is in German but if you click on 'Ausbildung' on the left hand menu, then on 'Preisliste' a PDF opens with all the prices of the courses available. Just give them a call and they'll advise you.

> May we have the name of the Dive Center pls.?

Absolutely. It is Blue Divers (Zurich). Just inquire about the planned Spring OWD and AOWD in English, including the books.

HTH.

I think Lynn would second the fact that Mark would have happily recommended Blue Divers.

Are asthmatics permitted to scuba-dive? Would a potential new diver need to do anything with their health insurance cover?

I had the chance to go diving in the lake a couple of years ago, but was unimpressed with the rather cavalier answers I got in response to similar questions (at the time I wasn't even insured as I'd only been in Switzerland a fortnight), so didn't go in (although I spent a lovely afternoon sitting under a tree drinking iced tea, watching my colleagues having panic attacks, shivering and generally having a delightful time).

I wouldn't mind having a go sometime, though, if it was safe or advisable for the likes of me to do so.

(Is this on topic? It didn't seem worth opening a new thread for it)

It is possible to dive if you are asthmatic but you would probably need a medical to say your doctor agrees. That is how it worked in my dive club back home where we had a few asthmatic members.

Short answer: I'm asthmatic and am AOW.
Long answer: you may be advised to take the advice of a medical professional on this topic.

Health insurance. Good question. Travel insurance will tend to include recreational diving.....check your domestic policy.....

Nice one, thank you both for your answers.

Now I need to work on the 'courage' angle...

> Now I need to work on the 'courage' angle...

I guess that is always one of the most challenging hurdle at first for many people. One just has to be persistent to overcome any initial fear and anxiety, given enough time and most importantly a good scuba diving instructor with lots of patience to "push" and encourage you.

The hardest part for me was when I was asked to put my head under the water and breathe (shallow area), simply breathe. Once you pass this threshhold, the rest is easy. Once submerged it is actually quite stress free.

Oh did I forget to mention that one of the excercises that you have to preform under water, (we did it in the sea) is to dive with full gear and all, kneel on floor or bed of sea, depends where you are doing it, and take your mask off with only the regulator in your mouth and again breathe normally!

Great fun

Thank you Snowdiver for the name

I did my theory with this company:

http://www.condorito.ch/switzerland/courses.html

Really nice guy.

But a couple of took the sensible option and did the practical test in Aruba

I did the advanced in Egypt. I would recommend the night dive, that was cool.

I agree about BlueDivers they are a good company with very nice people. I am thinking of doing a refresher course there as I have not diven since 1998. Back then, I got my PADI Open Water off shore from Airlie Beach on the great barrier reef. An amazing 3 days diving off a sailboat. On the way back I dove the "supermarket" in Fiji which was a great shark feeding dive. My buddy a beautiful Swedish girl and I both emmitted more bubbles than we should have when a large shark swam right at us only to turn away last moment. Hmm.. gotta get back into it

You are welcome BoZz.

> My buddy a beautiful Swedish girl and I both emmitted more bubbles

Lucky you for the buddy


> Hmm.. gotta get back into it

No words can adequately describe one's feeling of dancing with the fishes while floating weightlessly in the massive open seas.

Yesterday on SF1 there was this documentary about a Swiss diver turned entrepreneur who discovered a "snake infested" island in Indonesian. That was more than 15 years ago and he is now running a very successful dive safari business over there (with lots of European divers).

> I did the advanced in Egypt. I would recommend the night dive, that was cool.

Definitely. I recommend that one stick very close to his/her buddy as popular dive spots can get very crowded, one can easily be lost and end up on the wrong boat on return!

An underwater light source, make that 2 for safely reasons, is mandatory to avoid destroying any aquatic life or injuring oneself (such as swimming straight into a reef overhang).

We went off the Jetty next to the Hotel, so no boat to find after. The dive centre also provided under water torches as this is a Must as you say.

We started the dive just before sunset, so you entered the water before it was dark. For a first night dive, this is probably the best option.

Yes, you should get a medical. The BSAC makes the following additional recommendations about when it is appropriate for Asthmatics to dive:

Asthma may predispose to pulmonary barotrauma and air embolism, which may be fatal. An acute asthma attack can also cause severe dyspnoea which may be hazardous or fatal during diving. However, there is no evidence that the mild, well-controlled allergic asthmatic is at significantly more risk.

Asthmatics may dive if they have allergic asthma, but not if they have cold, exercise or emotion induced asthma.

Ashtmatics should not dive if they have any chest symptoms, have needed a therapeutic bronchodilator in the last 48 hours, or regularly need to use a bronchodilator.

During the diving season the asthmatic should take bd peak flows. A deviation of 10% from best values should exclude diving until within 10% of best values for at least 48 hours before diving.

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