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On the earlier versions of Grand Theft Auto, the main character could only drive, run, or walk—that’s about it. If the player accidentally ran into any water, the character immediately died or became “wasted.” The swimming ability was introduced only in the fifth installment of the game, GTA: San Andreas. In this game, players can swim and even dive to various depths of water.
Steps
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![Step 1 Find a body of water.]()
Find a body of water. Head to any beach area found on the outer edges of the San Andreas map. This is the best place to practice your character’s swimming skill.- You can also do this on swimming pools found on various places in Las Venturas or in small lakes in the wilderness of San Fierro.
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![Step 2 Enter the water.]()
Enter the water. Once you find a body of water, press the arrow keys on your PS2 controller to walk towards it (or jump). Once your character reaches a specific depth of water (at least above the waist), he will start swimming and will not drown like in the previous versions of the game.Advertisement -
![Step 3 Dive and swim underwater.]()
Dive and swim underwater. While your character is swimming, press the “Circle” button on the PS2 controller and your character will dive underwater. While submerged, press the arrow buttons toward the direction you want to go and your character will swim underwater.- Once your character dives underwater, a light blue life bar will appear on the top right-hand corner of the game screen. This is your oxygen level, indicating the time you can remain submerged.
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![Step 4 Resurface.]()
Resurface. Always check your oxygen level. If it’s getting too low, resurface by releasing the “Circle” button.- If you remain underwater after the light blue bar has been emptied out, your character will drown.
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-
![Step 1 Find a body of water.]()
Find a body of water. Head to any beach area found on the outer edges of the San Andreas map. This is the best place to practice your character’s swimming skill.- You can also do this on swimming pools found on various places in Las Venturas or in small lakes in the wilderness of San Fierro.
-
![Step 2 Enter the water.]()
Enter the water. Once you find a body of water, press the arrow keys on your Xbox controller to walk towards it (or jump). Once your character reaches a specific depth of water (at least above the waist), he will start swimming and will not drown like in the previous versions of the game. -
![Step 3 Dive and swim underwater.]()
Dive and swim underwater. While your character is swimming, press the “B” button on the Xbox controller and your character will dive underwater. While submerged, press the arrow buttons toward the direction you want to go and your character will swim underwater.- Once your character dives underwater, a light blue life bar will appear on the top right-hand corner of the game screen. This is your oxygen level, indicating the time you can remain submerged.
-
![Step 4 Resurface.]()
Resurface. Always check your oxygen level. If it’s getting too low, resurface by releasing the “B” button.- If you remain underwater after the light blue bar has been emptied out, your character will drown.
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-
![Step 1 Find a body of water.]()
Find a body of water. Head to any beach area found on the outer edges of the San Andreas map. This is the best place to practice your character’s swimming skill.- You can also do this on swimming pools found on various places in Las Venturas or in small lakes in the wilderness of San Fierro.
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![Step 2 Enter the water.]()
Enter the water. Once you find a body of water, press the W, A, S, or D keys on your computer’s keyboard to walk towards it (or jump). Once your character reaches a specific depth of water (at least above the waist), he will start swimming and will not drown like in the previous versions of the game. -
![Step 3 Dive and swim underwater.]()
Dive and swim underwater. While your character is swimming, press the left mouse button and your character will dive underwater. While submerged, press the W, A, S, or D keys on your computer’s keyboard toward the direction you want to go and your character will swim underwater.- Once your character dives underwater, a light blue life bar will appear on the top right-hand corner of the game screen. This is your oxygen level, indicating the time you can remain submerged.
-
![Step 4 Resurface.]()
Resurface. Always check your oxygen level. If it’s getting too low, resurface by releasing the left mouse button.- If you remain underwater after the light blue bar has been emptied out, your character will drown.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI press LMB, but the guy keeps on coming back up. He doesn't dive in deep. How can I make him dive deeper?
Community AnswerFor some reason, if the frame limiter is off, it glitches. Turn off the frame limiter for just when you need to swim, just like how most people change the settings to joy pad to lock on only during gunfights. -
QuestionHow do I dive on an Android phone?
Community AnswerThere will be a button once you are in the water. Click it and you will be underwater. Make sure to watch the breath meter. Continue doing this and your swimming skill will increase. -
QuestionWhich number makes my dive?
Community AnswerYou can dive using LCTRL or Mouse1 (left-click); the default keys are not number(s).
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Tips
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Though your GTA character can now swim, it can still drown if you crash your car into the water and let it sink with it.Thanks
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