How important is it to be fit as a Diver?

[Rascal1933]

Just wondering how you a diver you would rate the importance.

[Zenagirl]

I think it's important to be fit, particularly as a diver. Although I'm fatter than I'd like to be, I started a fitness program about 6 months ago, and on our recent liveaboard trip, not only could I tell the difference in my SAC rate, but also in the ease of getting back on the boat lifting heavy gear.

This has helped motivate me to add a better weight training program to my fitness routine, and to work toward eating less and losing the extra fat. I anticipate by doing this that in 6 months I'll see even bigger rewards than the first 6 months gave me.

[Ajuva]

It is so important I have just spent the last three months training for my Holidays.

Well, maybe not entirely true, but the fitter you are the better you dive.

[Queen]

Like any other activity, you should be as fit as is needed (more so if you choose). If you're the diver who only dives occasionally, looks at the pretty fishes and stays at 25' your fitness needs are very different than someone who heads out to dive the Doria.

[Rascal1933]

Do you guy's think being fit,helps reduce your Air consumption at all?

[thesmoothdome]

I think you need to be fit enough to deal with the worst conditions you'll ever dive in.

When I was younger, we used to do a lot of shore diving, sometimes in big surf, and you had to be fit enough to fight your way in and out through the breakers, swim out, dive and swim back, all the while having enough left in the tank to help a buddy out if needed. How fit is that? Beats me, but I'm not fit enough to do that stuff right now.

[Ajuva]

Definitely,

I have seen a marked difference in only 3 months.

[picxie]

I think fitness is very important. I'm not fit enough at the moment (not enough to my liking anyway) but I'm not actively diving so I'm not worried too much ... although I know that by not keeping up my fitness now, I'll have to work harder before summer hits and I want to get back in the water =) I notice a definate difference when I'm fitter - easier in and out of the water, and much easier to carry that heavy gear around!!

[yeroks]

I'd say very important. The latest issue of Dive Training mentions some DAN statistics regarding obesity and diving.

[Moxie]

Personally, I think fitness is a huge factor in diving. I do tons of shore diving where it's really tough climbing over rocks, logs, up and down huge hills etc. Add drysuit, add weights, add tank etc.

However, if I only dove off a boat with DM's who helped me out with everything it might not be so important.