Can I scuba dive if I can't swim? Experience diving precautions and procedures!

Thinking about trying scuba diving but worried because you can't swim or have zero experience? No worries — as long as you pick the right instructor and course, getting started with diving is way easier than you think! This article is all about how Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) works — from the full process to what you need to watch out for. We’ll also go over common beginner questions and useful tips, so you can take your first step with confidence and enjoy the amazing underwater world. You don’t need to know how to swim to explore the ocean in Kenting! Heart Ocean Diving Center follows the high standards of PADI and answers all your questions about DSD. With One-on-One guidance, our scuba diving experience is all about: “Heart Ocean, Dive into the Ocean of your Heart and find inner peace with you.”

發布時間：2025-04-07 最後更新時間：2025-04-07

Breath of the Sea: Unlock Kenting’s underwater secrets with your first Discover Scuba Diving

Have you ever stared at photos of Kenting’s crystal blue ocean and imagined yourself swimming like a mermaid through colorful coral reefs? Maybe you’ve seen divers drifting past sea turtles and felt a little spark — like, “I kinda want to try scuba,” or “Scuba diving looks fun!” If you’re planning a trip to Kenting and thinking about underwater activities, whether you want to try a Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) experience or go all in with a PADI certification course, you probably have some of the same questions: “What exactly is Discover Scuba Diving?” “Will I freak out on my first dive?” “Is diving even safe?”

These questions are totally normal — just like the shallow water before a deep dive, every explorer starts here. And guess what? We hear you. At Heart Ocean, our mission is simple: “Heart Ocean, Dive into the Ocean of your Heart and find inner peace with you.” We focus on people first, and our goal is to give you a dive experience that feels safe, warm, and fun. This article is written from the perspective of our pro team with years of teaching experience. We combine PADI’s global standards with our own teaching values to break down everything you need to know about Discover Scuba Diving — and show you why our strict **One-on-One guidance** rule is the best way to make your first underwater adventure safe and magical.

Read more: Kenting Diving & Buoyancy Tips | From Beginner to Neutral Buoyancy Pro – by Heart Ocean

[Beginner Q&A] What’s a Discover Scuba Diving experience? Is it the same as getting certified?

Before you get too excited and book a dive, let’s clear up one super important thing first:

What is PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)?

This is a beginner-friendly activity made for people with zero scuba diving experience. In the worldwide PADI system (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), it’s called **Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)**. In short, you’ll go on a one-time underwater adventure under the full, close-up guidance of a certified PADI instructor. You’ll learn some super basic stuff — like how water pressure works, how to breathe underwater, how to use hand signals and do **ear equalization** — plus get to know your diving gear. Then, with your instructor by your side, you’ll actually dive into a calm, shallow spot (usually no deeper than 12 meters) that follows PADI safety standards. You’ll try breathing through the tank, feel that cool floating feeling, and check out the underwater world up close. The whole point? It’s all about the **experience** and how it **feels** — not full-on training or certification.

Let’s Clear This Up: Discover Scuba Diving vs. PADI Certification Courses

If your goal is to someday dive with a buddy — without needing a coach by your side the whole time — and plan your own dives, then you’ll need an actual scuba **certification**. The most popular one is the **PADI Open Water Diver Course**. This kind of course includes classroom-style theory lessons, multiple practice dives in calm water (like a pool), and at least four open water dives in the ocean. After passing all the training and tests, you officially get your **diving license**.

Think of **Discover Scuba Diving** like a movie trailer — it gives you a sneak peek at the underwater world. It helps you figure out if you actually enjoy scuba diving before signing up for a full course. It’s the perfect way to test the waters (literally!) before going all in.

Read more: Must-Read Before You Learn to Dive: 40+ FAQs on Discover Scuba Diving & PADI License, by Heart Ocean’s One-on-One Pros

From Trying It Out to Getting Certified

If you really enjoy your Discover Scuba Diving experience, your instructor might introduce you to the **PADI Open Water Diver (OWD)** certification course. This is the basic license that gets you started in scuba diving, and it includes:

• 5 theory sessions

• 5 practice dives in calm water

• 4 open water dives in the ocean

• After finishing the course, you’ll be allowed to dive on your own (with a buddy) down to 18 meters deep

Heart Ocean Diving Center offers the full PADI learning system — from beginner to pro — to match every level of diver out there.

[Getting Comfortable] How to beat the nerves and adapt quickly on your first dive

We’re land creatures — so diving underwater for the first time can feel weird. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal! Heart Ocean’s experienced instructors totally get this, and they’ll patiently guide you with care and pro tips:

Read more: Kenting’s Best Intro Dive | Heart Ocean One-on-One Coaching | Safe Scuba for Beginners & Non-Swimmers (PADI)

The Art of Breathing Underwater: From Awkward to Awesome

This is the first thing you’ll need to get used to — breathing with your mouth through the regulator. Lots of people hold their breath or breathe too fast at first. The big secret? **Just relax**. Imagine you're doing slow, deep belly breathing — inhale deep, exhale slow and fully. It helps you stay calm *and* saves air. Your personal Heart Ocean coach will watch your breathing style, and give you gentle signals and reassurance using eye contact or hand signs. This is where the **one-on-one guidance** really shines — your coach is fully focused on *you*, and can give instant feedback if needed.

Ear Equalization Made Easy: No More Ear Pain While Diving (Tips Inside!)

This is one of the top concerns for beginners. As you go deeper, water pressure increases and puts pressure on your **middle ear**. If you don’t equalize, it can feel uncomfortable or even painful. So yes — learning to **equalize your ears** is super important. Your coach will teach you a few ways to do it so you can find what works best for you:

• Valsalva Method: The most common one. Just pinch your nose, close your mouth, and gently try to blow air through your nose until you feel a little “pop” in your ears. Remember — gentle is key!

• Swallowing: Pretend to swallow — sometimes moving your jaw side to side helps too.

• Jaw movement: Like you’re yawning — move your jaw around to help the ears adjust. Golden rule: **Start early, do it often, and be gentle**. As soon as you feel even a tiny bit of pressure, start equalizing. Don’t wait until it hurts! If you’re struggling, let your instructor know right away. With one-on-one support, they’ll slow things down, let you rise up a bit, and make sure you’re totally okay. No stress. No rush. You’ve got this!

〈延伸閱讀：學習潛水必知：新手必懂的12項關鍵知識 從 PADI 證照到潛水體驗，心海為您解惑 〉

Talking Underwater: The Must-Know Hand Signals

In the quiet underwater world, hand signals are divers' common language. Your instructor will teach you a few core hand signals before the dive, which are essential for safety and communication, such as: "OK" (I'm good / Are you good?), "Go up", "Go down", "Slow down", "Look over there", "Something's wrong / I feel uncomfortable", "How much air?" and others. Clear communication is the foundation of safety, so remember these signals and always maintain eye contact with your instructor.

〈Extended Reading: Will there be a detailed safety briefing and training before diving? A one-on-one instructor-led Discover Scuba Diving in Kenting, the safest first-time experience〉

〈延伸閱讀：潛水前會有詳細的安全講解和教學嗎？專業體驗潛水一對一教練帶領，墾丁最安全的水肺潛水初體驗 〉

The Power of Trust: Professional Diving Gear and Your Dedicated Instructor

Heart Ocean uses internationally renowned brands of professional diving gear, regularly maintained for safety. Your instructor will make sure all the gear is properly adjusted and working fine. More importantly, trust your PADI certified professional instructor completely. They not only have the professional knowledge and rich experience of Kenting's dive spots, but also bear the responsibility of guiding you safely through the experience. In a one-on-one relationship, trust is built faster, allowing you to relax and enjoy diving.

【Safety Clarifications】Is Scuba Diving Really Safe? Are There Any Risks?

This is the most common concern for every beginner and their loved ones. The answer is: as long as the rules are followed and with professional guidance, Discover Scuba Diving is a relatively safe recreational activity with controllable risks.

Potential Risks of Scuba Diving and PADI International Safety Standards

The main risks of scuba diving come from the physical effects of water pressure changes on the air spaces inside the body (mainly the ears, sinuses, and lungs), as well as the very low risk of drowning present in any water activity. To mitigate these risks, organizations like PADI have established rigorous safety standards, especially for Discover Scuba Diving, which includes clear depth limits (usually no more than 12 meters), constant direct supervision, standardized teaching processes, and skill requirements, all aimed at minimizing risks.

Heart Ocean’s "Absolute Commitment": Why Is "One-on-One Instructor" the Gold Standard for Safe Discover Scuba Diving?

Although PADI standards allow a single instructor to guide multiple Discover Scuba Diving participants under strict conditions, Heart Ocean Diving Center, based on its pursuit of safety and quality, enforces the "One-on-One Instructor" gold standard for the "Discover Scuba Diving" program! We firmly believe that for beginners who are entering the underwater world for the first time, having an instructor’s full, undistracted attention is the highest level of safety protection that no other teaching model can match. This means:

• Immediate Detection and Response: The instructor can immediately notice the slightest change in your expression, any abnormal breathing, or signs of discomfort, and intervene at the first moment.
• Full-Spectrum Monitoring: Your depth, air consumption, posture, and interaction with the environment will always be under the instructor's direct observation and control.
• Eliminating Distraction Risks: The instructor doesn’t need to divide their attention between multiple students, focusing entirely on ensuring your safety, comfort, and learning. This is not only our policy but our "highest safety commitment" to every customer who chooses Heart Ocean, and it represents our true dedication to "excellent service." This commitment also extends to our "PADI Certification Courses," offering customizable add-on options for "One-on-One Instructor" or "Up to One-on-Two" premium lessons.

〈延伸閱讀：潛水體驗教練會全程一對一或一對多陪同下水？心海墾丁體驗潛水：「一對一」專業教練全程陪伴〉

Health First: The Importance of Honestly Filling Out the Health Declaration

Before diving, you need to carefully read and honestly fill out a health declaration form based on PADI standards. This form is designed to determine if you have any health conditions that could be aggravated by water pressure changes or the underwater environment (such as: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, asthma, lung diseases, history of sinus or middle ear infections, epilepsy, pregnancy, etc.). If any question is marked "Yes" or you have concerns about your own health, be sure to consult a doctor before the activity and obtain a doctor's approval. Hiding health conditions is not only irresponsible for yourself but could also put you and your instructor at risk. Safe diving starts with honesty and transparency.

HO's Advantages: Why Choose Heartsea's "One-on-One" Experience Diving?

Among the many diving options in Kenting, by choosing Heart Ocean’s "One-on-One Instructor" Discover Scuba Diving, you will get:

【Heart Ocean Advantage】Why Choose Heart Ocean’s "One-on-One Instructor" Discover Scuba Diving?

Among the many diving options in Kenting, choosing Heart Ocean’s "One-on-One Instructor" Discover Scuba Diving gives you:

Maximum Sense of Safety

Complete protection from your dedicated instructor: Your instructor acts as your personal guide and protector underwater, providing physical support (if needed), mental encouragement, and skill tips. This ensures that you explore in an environment full of safety, which is the foundation of our commitment to **"Safety, Warmth, Fun."**

〈Extended Reading: Heart Ocean’s All-Round Experience: Transparent Fee Breakdown and Value-Added Service Guide〉

Tailor-Made Experience

Personalized Discover Scuba Diving experience based on your needs: Everyone’s comfort in the water, physical fitness, and learning pace are different. One-on-one teaching allows the instructor to fully adapt to your rhythm. Are you afraid of water? We’ll spend more time helping you adjust in shallow water. Inquisitive? We’ll take you to see more fascinating marine life within a safe range. We truly focus on "the individual" rather than a standardized process.

Dive Into Your Heart

Not just diving, but building trust and having fun: We understand the nervousness of trying something new. Heart Ocean’s instructors not only have PADI professional certification and rich teaching experience, but more importantly, they have empathy and patience. Through clear explanations, continuous encouragement, and genuine interactions, we’re dedicated to **"easing your tension"**, building trust with you, and making diving not just an activity, but a wonderful memory full of fun and surprises.

Safety MAX

Complete protection from your dedicated instructor: Your instructor is like your personal guide and protector underwater, providing physical support (if needed), mental encouragement, and skill tips throughout the experience, allowing you to explore in a safe environment. This is the foundation of our commitment to **"Safety, Warmth, Fun."**

〈延伸閱讀：心海潛水全方位體驗：透明費用解析與超值

Maximum Sense of Safety

Complete protection from your dedicated instructor: Your instructor is like your personal guide and protector underwater, providing physical support (if needed), mental encouragement, and skill tips throughout the experience, allowing you to explore in a safe environment. This is the foundation of our commitment to **"Safety, Warmth, Fun."**

〈Extended Reading: Heart Ocean’s All-Round Experience: Transparent Fee Breakdown and Value-Added Service Guide〉

Tailor-Made Experience

A personalized first-time diving experience with truly adaptive teaching: Everyone’s comfort in the water, physical fitness, and learning pace are different. One-on-one teaching allows the instructor to fully adapt to your pace. Afraid of water? We’ll spend more time helping you adjust in shallow water. Curious? We’ll take you to see more fascinating marine life within a safe range. We truly focus on "the individual," not a standardized process.

Dive Into Your Heart

Not just diving, but building trust and having fun: We understand the nervousness of trying something new. Heart Ocean’s instructors not only have PADI professional certification and rich teaching experience but more importantly, they have empathy and patience. Through clear explanations, continuous encouragement, and genuine interactions, we’re dedicated to **"easing your tension"**, building trust with you, and making diving not just an activity, but a beautiful memory full of fun and surprises.

From Fear of Water to Loving Scuba Diving

"I’ve been afraid of water since I was a child and didn’t even dare to go to the swimming pool. A friend recommended Heart Ocean’s one-on-one experience course and persuaded me to give it a try. To my surprise, under the instructor’s patient guidance, not only did I complete the Discover Scuba Diving, but I also fell in love with it! The instructor held my hand the whole time, which made me feel incredibly safe." — Xiao Lin, 32, Office Worker

Success Story of Overcoming Ear Pressure Discomfort

"During my first Discover Scuba Diving, my ears were particularly sensitive, and I felt pain even with slight descents. Heart Ocean’s instructor was very patient and taught me various ear equalization techniques, adjusting to the method that worked best for me, and slowing the descent speed. In the end, I successfully reached a depth of 5 meters and saw beautiful corals and schools of fish. It was an unforgettable experience!" — Xiao Chen, 28, Engineer

Service Guide

Customized Experience

A truly personalized diving experience tailored to you: Everyone's comfort in water, physical fitness, and learning pace are different. One-on-one teaching allows the instructor to fully match your pace. Afraid of water? We will spend more time helping you adapt in shallow waters. Curious? We'll take you to explore more interesting marine life within safe limits. We focus on "people first" rather than following a rigid, standardized process.

Diving into Your Heart

Not only will you learn to dive, but also build trust and have fun: We deeply understand the nervousness of trying something new. The Heartsea team of instructors is not only professionally certified by PADI and experienced in teaching, but most importantly, we have empathy and patience. Through clear explanations, continuous encouragement, and sincere interaction, we are dedicated to **"relieving your anxiety"** and building a trusting relationship with you. This way, diving becomes not just an activity, but a beautiful, fun, and surprising memory.

From Fear of Water to Loving Diving

"I've been afraid of water since I was a child and never even dared to go to the swimming pool. A friend recommended Heartsea's one-on-one experience course and convinced me to give it a try. To my surprise, under the patient guidance of the instructor, I not only completed the experience dive, but I also fell in love with the activity! The instructor held my hand throughout the entire process, which made me feel incredibly safe." — Xiao Lin, 32, office worker

Success Story of Overcoming Ear Pressure Discomfort

"During my first dive experience, my ears were especially sensitive, and I felt pain even with slight descents. The instructor at Heartsea was very patient and taught me various ear pressure balancing techniques, adjusting to the method that worked best for me, and slowing down the descent. Eventually, I successfully reached a depth of 5 meters and saw beautiful coral and schools of fish. It was an unforgettable experience!" — Xiao Chen, 28, engineer

Warm Family Experience

"I took my 10-year-old son to experience diving, and Heartsea arranged for two instructors to guide our family. My son was nervous at first, but the instructors taught in such a fun and engaging way that he quickly relaxed. Watching him excitedly point out various fish underwater, the sense of happiness was indescribable. Heartsea's one-on-one instruction is truly perfect for family experiences!" — Wang Mom, 42, homemaker

〈Further Reading: Heartsea Diving Experience: Kenting Diving Age Restrictions and Safety Guidelines: Kids and Seniors Can Also Enjoy the Experience〉

【Detailed Process】Heartsea One-on-One Diving Experience: A Fantastic Journey from Shore to Underwater

By joining the Heartsea experience dive, you will embark on a carefully planned journey:

Preparation Items

• Pre-trip Preparation: Pack light and set off with peace of mind.
• Health Confirmation: Confirm health status at the time of booking, and fill out a health declaration form before the activity.
• Psychological Preparation: Maintain an open, curious, and relaxed mindset.
• Items to Bring: Swimsuit (suggested to wear underneath), quick-drying towel, a change of clothes, eco-friendly sunscreen (to protect corals), drinking water, personal medications. No need to bring diving equipment, as Heartsea will provide a full set of professional, regularly maintained gear (mask, snorkel, wetsuit, BCD buoyancy vest, regulator set, fins, weights).

Shore Briefing

The first lesson on diving knowledge and equipment usage: Your dedicated instructor will explain the basic principles of diving (pressure, buoyancy, breathing

Q3: Is it normal to feel ear pain while diving? How should I solve it?

Feeling pressure in your ears when descending is a normal phenomenon, but if you experience pain, it indicates that the ear pressure has not been properly balanced. If you feel pain, please immediately signal to your instructor (for example, point to your ear and make an uncomfortable expression). The instructor will stop the descent right away, maintain the current depth, and guide you to try ear pressure equalization techniques again. If the pain persists, the instructor will bring you up slightly, as pressure reduction usually makes it easier to balance. Never continue descending with pain! In Heartsea’s one-on-one teaching, your discomfort will be addressed in the most immediate and personalized way.

Q4: How can I prevent my dive mask from fogging up and keep my underwater vision clear?

Fogging masks can indeed be annoying! Before diving, the instructor will professionally treat your mask (such as applying special anti-fog agents or diluted baby shampoo solution) and teach you how to properly wear the mask (ensuring no hair is trapped in the skirt and the fit is comfortable). If there is slight fog

Protecting the Ocean: Becoming a Responsible Diving Traveler

• Do not touch, feed, or collect: Respect all marine life and their habitats.

• Control buoyancy and avoid stirring up the sand: Learn proper neutral buoyancy to avoid kicking the bottom or coral. This is one of the most direct ways to protect the fragile coral ecosystem.

• Use ocean-friendly sunscreen: Choose products that are free from harmful chemicals like Oxybenzone.

• Do not leave trash in the ocean: Take all your trash with you when leaving the beach. Heartsea is committed to "environmental sustainability" and looks forward to "caring for" this beautiful ocean together with you.

〈Further Reading: From Experience Diving to PADI Certification: The Ultimate Guide to Heartsea Diving Center〉

Interesting Secrets About Kenting’s Ocean

Conclusion: Choose Heartsea, and Dive into the Ocean to Discover a New You

The first dive experience is a sensory baptism, an exploration of inner courage. It answers the question “What is an experience dive?”—it is the key to another parallel universe; it solves the anxiety of “How to adapt?”—through professional guidance and personal experience, discovering the potential of the body; it eliminates the shadow of “Is it dangerous?”—with the double solid assurance of PADI’s rigorous standards and Heartsea’s "one-on-one coaching," safety is guaranteed.

What you choose is not just top-notch safety specifications and professional teaching but also a "human-centered" warmth and dedication to quality. We believe that every dive into the water is a journey of "exploration" and "discovery," with the ultimate goal of achieving "symbiosis" between humans and the ocean.
 

Are you ready to embrace the unique underwater tranquility and feel the surprise of being surrounded by tropical fish? Do you want to create a once-in-a-lifetime "first dive experience" memory in Kenting's blue embrace? Write your story with "Dive into Your Heart"!

Address: No. 32-1, Shawei Road, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County

Reservation Hotline: 08-8866110

Reserve Your Exclusive 【One-on-One PADI Experience Dive】！（Call now to inquire about experience diving, PADI certification courses, and all diving-related questions!）