As scuba divers we complete training through certifications, we practice and demonstrate our skills and follow safety protocols. We are reminded of the inherent risk of sport diving every time we sign our medical release and liability forms. Many of us can share times when something unexpected happened during a dive and we were able to handle it because of our experience. We can also share the circumstances of dives where events did not go as planned, and only fortuitous circumstances or the actions of another diver, dive master or instructor made the positive difference. In these moments we especially see the evidence for the individual responsibility of an adequate level of competency and preparedness essential to scuba diving.
It is my opinion, as a fitness professional and scuba diver, one of the most significant individual responsibilities for prevention and preparedness of illness and injury in diving is physical fitness and good health. With a desire to learn what the diving industry has to offer on the subject, I have voraciously read and researched everything I can find regarding physical fitness and diving. My initial discovery reveals, while there is some level of available information along with consensus that physical fitness is important to diving, at best it is superficial in specific applications that match the health profile of our diving community. Perhaps this is because the benefits of fitness have grown parallel to the diving industry. My goal is to bring the two together with a long-lasting positive affect.Read Full Article
Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, NBFE PADI Advanced Diver Personal Trainer - Fitness Therapist Biomechanic Strength Trainer Arthritis Specialist World Champion Hall-of-Fame Athlete
ScubaFit Presentations
ScubaFitŪ Presents Physical Fitness Module for Los Angeles County Advanced Scuba Diving
The birthplace of scuba safety and certification, L.A. County Scuba continues to lead the industry with their comprehensive training. L.A. County Scuba advances dive safety by incorporating physical fitness for scuba diving into diver certification programs. As part of a 14-week Advanced Diver Program, students receive over 100 hours of instruction in advanced and master diver topics along with NAUI Master Diver, NAUI Scuba Rescue and NAUI Nitrox certifications.
The ScubaFitŪ session presented by Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, NBFE bridges the world of fitness and the world of diving. Information presented is science-based, practical and appropriate to all fitness levels. Instructors and novice divers alike benefit from the course. The goal of ScubaFitŪ is to get divers exercising. Fit indiviudals are more likely to enjoy recreational activities such as diving. Incorporating physical fitness instruction into dive certification programs provides safety, injury prevention and increased participation.
I have been trying to find an answer to my question for some time now and I keep getting different answers!! My husband and I love working out. We each work out on an almost daily basis with a mix of weights and cardio. I've taken to running 3-4 miles a few times a week for the past six months or so.
In any case, we are going to Roatan to do our divemaster course at the end of this month. We will be diving numerous times a day five to six times a week for at least two months. Can we keep up our current fitness regime?
DAN's website says they recommend avoiding rigorous exercise 24 hours before and after diving. Obviously we wouldn't be able to exercise at all under this guideline and it worries us!!
Please help. We would very much appreciate it!
Thanks so much, Natasha
Hi Natasha,
You have a very exciting life! Thank you for your question and for sharing your website. I understand your circumstances and concerns. You and your husband have a great advantage for getting through this dive adventure because of your current fitness lifestyle. For the most part, this fitness foundation will carry you through. I hope the following discussion is helpful. Read More
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