Frequently Asked Questions About Scuba Diving In Goa with FlyingFish Scuba School

 

About Scuba Diving

1. What is Scuba Diving?

Scuba diving is an activity that involved spending time underwater, breathing through an air tank. It is done for both, recreational and commercial purposes. There are centres to dive all around the world in all types of conditions and the possibilities are endless!

2. What's the minimum age for scuba diving?

The minimum age for Scuba Diving anywhere in the world, including Goa is 10 years based on international safety standards.

3. Is it worth it in Goa?

While Goa does not have the underwater visibility like some sites around the world boast, Goa is extremely beginner friendly with exciting underwater experiences at shallow depths, including a historic ship wreck and a big stretch of corals. It is also considered one of the best places to do a course for it's calmer, shallow waters, and more technical learnings in lower visibility.

4. Is scuba diving safe?

Yes. Beginner scuba diving is safe as all the experiences here are conducted by internationally certified instructors. We ensure that there is always one instructor personally guiding every first timer, one to one in the ocean.

5. Is Swimming necessary for Scuba Diving?

No, swimming is not necessary for any of our one day experiences. Although to learn and become a globally certified diver, you need to know how to swim as a prerequisite for the Open Water Course.

6. When should you not scuba dive?

You should not scuba dive when the sea is rough, when you have certain medical conditions that (severe asthama, heart problems and others) or if you have a flight to catch within the next 12 hours of your dive.

The Technicalities Of Scuba Diving

1. How much is 1 bar in Scuba Diving?

a bar is roughly the same amount of pressure we feel being on the surface at any given time. While diving, 1 bar of pressure increases every 10 metres we descend into the ocean. The air tanks in scuba is generally filled with air amounting to 200 bar of pressure.

2. What is the fullform of SCUBA?

SCUBA stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus.

3. How long does 1 scuba tank last?

 Scuba tanks last depending on the rate at which you breathe underwater (sac rate). You generally have a lower sac rate, meaning your tank will last longer, the more experienced you become. For a 40 minute dive, which is the time it takes for a standard fun dive, you are near the halfway point in the tank, and we change to a full tank before every dive so there's no reason to worry.

Scuba Diving Courses

1. What is the difference between SSI and PADI scuba certification?

There is no real difference, both are globally recognised agencies and their courses are accepted by 100% of dive centres everywhere on the globe! they follow the same training standards and are equally respected. 

2. What is the first scuba diving course?

The Open Water Course is the first Scuba Diving course. It is your passport to dive anywhere in the world, upto a depth of 18 metres, this course is globally recognised by a 100% of dive centres around the world.         

3. How long does an Open Water Certification take?

The Open Water Course takes upto 3-4 days depending on the certifying agency you choose to do the course with.

4. Can i start an Open Water Course in Goa and complete it elsewhere?

Yes, FlyingFish offers open water referral courses where you can complete your confined water and theory sessions in goa and complete the open water sessions wherever else you'd like.

Diving in Goa

1. Where do we dive?

There is an island, about 18 kilometres from our jetty, called Grande island. It has lots of dive sites around it but the most popular sites are Suzy's Wreck, a pre-independence cargo shipwreck, with pieces of the ship scattered all around the sea bed and lots of marine life living inside. Another popular site is coral garden, where a variety of different corals and marine life different to what is at the shipwreck can be seen!

2. What fish do we see in Goa?

We commonly see Damsel Fish, Butterfly Fish, Trigger Fish, Surgeon Fish, Copper Sweepers, Malabar Groupers, Puffer fish, Lion Fish, Scorpion Fish and common species include Morey Eels, Stingrays and Nudibranchs!

3. During what months can diving happen in Goa?

It's safe to dive from the end of August to the first week of May in Goan sea's when the sea is calm and the visibility is better. There's always a variation of a few days/weeks.

4. How deep are the dives?

The dive sites here aren't very deep, making them great for courses and first timers. The maximum depth for suzy's wreck is around 12 metres and about 8-10 metres for coral garden.

5. Can i see dolphins while diving?

Dolphin sightings are common on the way to Grande island, but seeing them underwater while you dive is quite rare.

Will these pose a problem for me?

1. Can i scuba dive with glasses or contact lenses?

If you have a power of upto minus 2.5-3, you'll be fine scuba diving with a regular mask because things get magnified underwater. If you have a power that is more than that, We will provide power masks for powers upto putpower. You can dive with contact lenses but it is advisable to not wear them the day of your dive and use power masks instead.

2. Is there a weight limit for scuba?

There is no upper or lower weight limit for scuba diving. The only limitations is your health, your willingness and the weather.

3. How should i spend the day before i dive?

Have a good night's sleep, eat well, and as tempting as it is in goa, don't party too hard!

4. Can i fly after scuba diving?

You cannot fly after 12 hours of scuba diving on a single day, and 18 hours after scuba diving multiple days in a row.

5. Can i scuba dive on my period?

Yes, it's considered safe to dive on your period. 

Equipment and Logistics

1. Is Equipment provided or should i bring my own?

All equipment including wetsuits, tanks, regulators, weights, fins, and masks are provided.

2. What should i bring on the day of the dive?

Bring a Swimsuit and a towel, We'll take care of everything else

3. Can i rent an underwater camera?

We offer complementary photos and videos in most packages, but if you'd like to shoot some extra footage, we do rent cameras to take on your dive!