After exploring some of the trekking destinations in the Himalayas, I wanted to experience and explore the world beneath the sea. Ever since scuba diving made it onto my bucket list, I began watching multiple YouTube videos and reading various blogs about scuba diving in Pondicherry and in other places across India. After getting a fair understanding of the same, I decided to take my first dive with Dive The World- a renowned PADI-accredited dive center in Pondicherry. In this post, I’ll be covering the following topics:
- What PADI is
- The cost of scuba diving in Pondicherry
- Scuba diving sites in the sea
- Pool training before the actual dive
- The dive experience
- Challenges one may face during a dive.
- Understanding barotrauma after scuba diving
Scuba Dive in Pondicherry with PADI
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is an association with trained diving professionals helping amateurs get diving experience. There are certain diving clubs/organizations with PADI all over the world. After researching various scuba diving destinations, I finalized Pondicherry, since its the closest option to Bangalore. For a first dive, it’s essential to go with PADI Open Water–certified instructors, as they understand the technical aspects of diving and can guide you safely and effectively.
There are several types of diving programs available, and you can choose one or more depending on your interest. The most popular options are the recreational dives and the open water diving programs. The open water course is a certificate program that includes four days of structured training in diving. In the recreational dive, you can experience a single dive up to 40 feet after completing 45 minutes of pool training given by the certified professionals. I opted for the recreational dive as I wanted to experience the dive for the first time.
Cost of scuba dive in Pondicherry
The cost of scuba diving in Pondicherry varies depending on the type of diving program you choose and the organization you decide to dive with.
- The cost of recreational scuba diving program in Pondicherry ranges between INR 7000 and INR 7500 with tax included. This is the most ideal scuba diving program in Pondicherry for non swimmers.
- The cost of the open water scuba diving program in Pondicherry varies between INR 30,000 and INR 40,000. A prerequisite for participation is the ability to swim 200 meters continuously and float for at least 10 minutes.
These scuba diving packages in Pondicherry include the swimming pool training cost, transportation cost to the beach, the cost of boat transport from the beach to the dive site and back, the cost of diving equipment and costumes. Typically, the boats that take you from the shore to the dive sites may be small fishing boats, speedboats, or even luxury boats. The type of boat depends on the organization with whom you registered for the dive and also the number of participants in a slot. These details are applicable for scuba diving in Pondicherry and may vary in other locations.
The scuba diving locations in Pondicherry
Typically, scuba diving sites in Pondicherry are located 4 to 7 km offshore, with locations marked by the diving organizations. Participants will be taken in a boat to the designated areas where the boat will be anchored before the diving program starts. The maximum depth for diving is 40 feet, which is considered safe. In Pondicherry, scuba diving is conducted offshore and not from beaches or islands.
Pool Training with PADI professionals before the scuba dive in Pondicherry
Once you’ve chosen your dive type and organization, the next step is to visit the organization’s office. You are required to sign a self-declaration acknowledging the risks involved in the dive, stating that the organization will not be held responsible for any unforeseen incidents. Additionally, you must submit a photocopy of your identity proof along with the form.
After the formalities get over, you will be proceeding to a swimming pool where a professional will instruct you on the various aspects of a dive. The training primarily focuses on the following areas:
- How to put on the diving gear, including the oxygen cylinder.
- How to breathe underwater using the oxygen cylinder.
- How to clear water from your glasses if it sweeps in.
- What action to be taken if water sweeps into your mouth
- Techniques to equalize ear pressure underwater.
- Hand signals for communication, since speaking isn’t possible underwater.
You will be practicing the above-mentioned points for about 40-45 minutes and the training will be over only when you can do all the things comfortably.
Scuba Dive in Pondicherry- The process
You’ll be ready for the dive once you’ve completed the pool training. The actual dive can take place either on the same day or on a different day, depending on slot availability and your preference. I opted to dive on the same day immediately after the pool session.
Boat ride to the diving spot
A car took us to a designated beach where a boat was ready for me and the other participants. Oxygen cylinders, diving gears and some snacks were loaded onto the boat and we headed toward the diving site. Altogether we were 7 participants, 2 trainers and one boatman on the boat. After around 20 min we reached the spot in the open sea where the boat was anchored. The main trainer instructed us on the dos and don’ts, and we waited in a queue for our turn to dive.
The two trainers would take each of us one by one and guide us 40 feet underwater. Before the participants began their dive, professional divers entered the water and secured a rope from the boat to the seabed. The rope served as a direction to descend into the water and ascend onto the boat.
Before the participants dived, the professionals were already into the water with their gears. Participants were asked to put on the diving gears and get mentally prepared. We were then instructed to sit on the edge of the boat, and with a gentle backward push, they were guided into the water.
Experience of my first scuba dive in Pondicherry
I was enjoying the beauty of the ocean sitting on the boat and finally my turn came at number 3. I love water and know swimming, hence I was confident and relaxed. My trainer was already floating in the water. The moment I entered the sea, he asked me to hold onto the rope.
After confirming that everything was fine, we began descending deeper along the rope. Since this was my first dive, my trainer supported me from behind and controlled my movement.
It is challenging to capture the rest of the experience in words. Fishes of different sizes and colors swam in front of me. It was truly unique and incredibly thrilling. It was a different world under the sea. You keep watching the fishes and perform pressure equalization in short intervals. Pressure equalization is important else your ears will start paining. At one point, I let go of the rope and my trainer guided me around to see more marine life. There were many jellyfish as well, and we had to navigate carefully to avoid them touching us.
Ascending to the boat
Trainers carry cameras to click photos and videos under the water. They clicked a few pictures and videos and finally it was time to ascend. A gradual and slow ascend is necessary as you move from a very high-pressure zone to a lower pressure zone.
If we ascend rapidly, there are high chances of lung infection and even lungs and ear drums could burst. Trainers are very much aware of the same and will guide you accordingly.
I was underwater for nearly 35 minutes, and every moment was worth it. Once I got back onto the boat, I took some time to relax and process everything I had just experienced. It was hard to believe that I had actually been beneath the sea myself and wasn’t just watching something on Discovery or Animal Planet.
Problems in Scuba Diving
The biggest problem you may face while deep inside the water is pain in your ears. Our ears try to equalize the pressure and since you are exposed to very high water pressure, your ears tend to hurt. This is the reason we need to equalize by pressing our nostrils and try to exhale through the nose simultaneously. It generates an opposite pressure on the ears and keep you calm inside the water.
After resurfacing, you may experience ear blockage for a while. Medically, this condition is known as barotrauma. It’s similar to the sensation you feel when an airplane gains altitude. Typically, the blockage clears within 2 to 3 hours, but for some people, it can last longer.
Barotrauma after Scuba Diving
In layman’s terms, Barotrauma occurs when tissue damage is caused due to the difference in pressure inside and outside the body. This damage occurs typically inside the ear and sometimes in the upper throat tissues (Sinus). It may also affect the lung tissues.
I did my dive 5 days back, still my ears are partially blocked, and stains of blood are seen in my cough. I had to visit my ENT and get some medicines prescribed for a quick recovery from barotrauma.
My doctor confirmed this is not a serious issue, it happens to one in 100 people after scuba diving. However, it is of no harm to continue further dives in the sea.
And yes, neither barotrauma nor AMS can stop me from further dives in the sea or climbing the Himalayas.
Some frequently asked questions on scuba dive in Podicherry
Q. Can non swimmers do scuba diving in Pondicherry
A. Yes. The recreational scuba diving programs in Pondicherry are for non swimmers
Q. How deep is Pondicherry scuba diving?
A. The scuba dives in Pondicherry is maximum 40 Feet.
Q. Is scuba diving for beginners safe?
A. Yes, scuba diving for beginners or first timers are very safe in Pondicherry with PADI.
Q. Is scuba diving worth in Pondicherry?
A. Pondicherry is one of the best places for scuba diving in India. There are multiple organizations in Pondicherry that conducts scuba with PADI.
Q. What is the cost for scuba dive in Pondicherry?
A. The cost of recreational dives in Pondicherry ranges between INR 7000 and INR 7500. The certificate open water program costs between INR 30,000 and INR 40,000
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To get more information on scuba dive in Pondicherry, please visit Dive The World