snuba vs helmet diving

[byltheville]

Which activity is more suitable for beginning/none swimmer? What is it like? :confused: Should I book it through Carnival or independent agent? Thanks for your input.

[bruce-r]

IMO, neither is suitable for a non swimmer

[angel69]

I would choose the helmet diving. On this activity you don't swim,just walk on the bottom of the ocean.Search youtube.com there are a few videos of helmet diving to get an idea of what is going on.

[GinDon]

I am a total non-swimmer, can't even manage the dog paddle, don't like to get water up my nose or in my eyes.........you get the picture. Did a helmet dive in Bermuda, and had a great time! No swimming involved, you just walk around a bit on the ocean floor. The fish will come to YOU. Big helmet on your head, which has air pumped into it, so you breath normally, nothing to put in your mouth. You stay dry from the neck up, can keep your glasses on, etc. Good for all ages, not strenuous. I really loved being able to experience the underwater world.

You would be fine booking independently, as long as you keep mindful your time to be back on the ship.

[bruce-r]

I am a total non-swimmer, can't even manage the dog paddle, don't like to get water up my nose or in my eyes.........you get the picture. Did a helmet dive in Bermuda, and had a great time!....

 

And you felt safe doing this?

[senior lady]

Did a helmut dive in Bora Bora with a fractured knee and it was fine. Just had to hang on to DH shoulder so I didn't float away:D

 

It was the best part of the cruise, would do it again in a flash!!!!

[senior lady]

forgot to mention that I was lucky and didn't have a plaster cast. Had a thigh to ankle brace that could be removed. The diver guide helped me get down the steps and it was fine. Totally a awesome tour!!!

[Fourseventeen]

:eek: non swimmer? You live under a rock all your life?

 

Anyway I think helmet dive would be better since you wont do any swimming...just walking on the bottom. I think snuba is a little more fun but you cant swim so that wont work out to well.

[GinDon]

To "fourseventeen" from "non-swimmer": I even took swimming classes when I was a child (many, many moons ago!). Just never could do it. Can't tread water, either. Wait...................it gets worse. We live on a lakefront property!

In my defense, though, I go boating, canoeing, I will float anywhere with my "noodle", and will ride on a jet-ski. If there is something holding me up, I'm fine.

 

To "bruce-r": Felt perfectly safe doing the Helmet Dive, and had a great time!

[ElCiego]

For those of you that have tried the helmet diving, how deep do you go? Can you still feel the pressure where you need to keep popping your ears?

[Lionesss]

Ok I have done both excursions different years in Cozumel.

Booked both thru ship (RCI)

 

The first one we did was SNUBA

 

We all met at the pier.

Cab to check in area.

Rental lockers for your personal stuff

Orientation class took about 15 min.

Fitted for fins and weighted belt

 

Off to water edge

Oxygen tanks tether masks on a big raft.

Secure mask with regulator built in.

One by one you walk back wards in the water and then swim an enclosed man made reef and then gets deep quick .

I am guessing you go down about 25 - 30 feet.

 

I was totally inexperienced at this but new how to swim

Got a little uncomfortable the further down I went.

 

One of the guides in scuba gear (yeah they had it) held my hand, for about 5 min. until I got more comfortable.

Took about 45 min.

Beautiful views of marine life and awesome pictures we obtained.

 

I was scared but had to admit I had fun.

Walked out of the water backwards and it was done (well kinda walked out backwards, do you know how hard it is to walk out backwards with fins on:eek:).

 

Probably would not do again.

 

 

 

 

 

This year we did the Helmet dive.

 

Same scenario,

Met at the pier

Got in cab

Went to check in area

Orientation lesson about 10 min

Free lockers,

Changing rooms

They provide free of charge water shoes if you dont have them

 

Go to concrete area by waters edge.

Get on a ladder

They attendants put helmet on your head

You slowly go down with a scuba diver at your side.

Every couple steps you need to swallow to equalize the pressure in your ears.

Water proof, nothing but fresh oxygen coming in the helmet.

We were told we were down 35 feet.

 

On teenager in our group got claustrophobic and he came out with a scuba diver and they let him snorkel.

 

When everyone in group is down, three scuba divers help you go around a roped in path...........alot of marine life, and they feed the fish by you and they swarm all around you.

 

It is a man made reef.

 

It was fun, would do again.

When we were done showered off and changed, then went to the waiting area (restuarant) for a free shot of tequilla:D, and they gave the women a free bracelet.

 

Sea Ya

Edited September 6, 2014 by Lionesss

[bar10der421]

Had a terrible time with my ears when helmet diving. I was not frightened, guides were excellent (this was in St. Thomas), but I was just not comfortable and would not do it again.