What age do you need to be to learn how to scuba dive. The answer to this question will depend on your individual situation. You can take your junior certification course with children and then go deeper. Adult certification courses can be taken by teens and adults. You must be at minimum 15 years of age and have some experience. The physical and medical requirements for each certification level are outlined below.
You must be at least 18 to scuba dive.
The recreational scuba training committee (RSTC) advises that anyone under 15 not scuba-dive. However, children as young eighteen can learn to scuba diver and take training. This age requirement does not apply to all children. There is very little scientific evidence on the impact of scuba diving on children. It can also vary from person-to-person. It is important that children are trained by qualified instructors.
There is no set minimum age to learn to scuba dive. PADI and other schools will instruct children as young as ten. Under 10-year-olds are usually considered junior divers. If they reach the required age, they will be elevated to the appropriate adult diving level. The British Sub-Aqua Club permits young people to train, although they must have attained the age of 12 in order to participate.
Medical and physical requirements
Divers with certain conditions may have difficulty safely diving. Certain medications or chronic conditions may impact the ability of a person to dive safely. Diving requires regular physical activity. Pregnant women should not attempt scuba diving. If you have any of these conditions, you should consult your doctor before taking the plunge. Learn more about the medical and physical requirements to scubadive.
To begin, you'll need to fill out the Recreational Scuba Training Council's medical questionnaire. This organization is located in North America. This form is available from many sources. After completing the questionnaire, the RSTC determines whether the prospective diver will need to have a medical examination. Answering "yes" to any medical questions does NOT automatically disqualify you from diving. However, this indicates that you may have a preexisting medical condition that could cause problems while scuba diving.
Courses available
For scuba diving, you need to be at the least eighteen years of age. This age may vary depending on where you live. The PADI Bubblemaker program is designed for children if you are unsure if you are old enough. It teaches them how to dive, including pressure and buoyancy. They also practice in a pool. During this training, they can go as deep at 12 feet.
To be a fully qualified diver, you must be eight years old. Most agencies offer courses for children as young as eight, but they won't get you certified to dive in open water. For younger divers, PADI offers programs such as the Bubblemaker program and Seal Team. This program is great for getting a taste of the experience, even though it may not be the best option for beginners.
Certification requirements
You can keep your Scuba Diving certifications valid for life. However, to be able to teach beginners or start your own business, you will need an Instructor's Card. Reputable dive centers will ask you about your certification, dive history, and number of dives. Refresher courses may be required if you have not dived in six months. While the certificate doesn't expire, you should take a refresher course every now and then to ensure you're still up to date on the latest rules and regulations.
Five types of diving knowledge is required in order to attain scuba certification. The first two are open-water and the second is classroom. Each dive is a simulation of an emergency situation. You'll need to be able return to the surface quickly. This portion of your course is similar in nature to obtaining a driver's permit. You will need to pass your open-water dive knowledge exam and complete the required knowledge tests.