What age do you need to be to learn how to scuba dive. Your individual circumstances will determine the answer. Junior certification can be completed by children who wish to dive deeper. Adult certification courses can be taken by teens and adults. You must be at minimum 15 years of age and have some experience. Below are the physical and medical requirements required for each certification level.
You must be at least 18 to scuba dive.
The recreational scuba training committee (RSTC) advises that anyone under 15 not scuba-dive. Children as young as 8 years old can learn to scuba dive, and receive training. Although there are limited scientific studies on the effects of diving on children, this age requirement can be adjusted to suit individual needs. Always have a qualified instructor train children in scuba diving.
You don't have to be at least 18 to learn to dive. PADI and some schools may train children as young at ten. Kids under the age 10 are generally considered junior level divers. Once they reach the appropriate age, they will be upgraded to the adult level. The British Sub-Aqua Club offers training for young people, but they must also be at least 12 to take part in any programs.
Medical and physical requirements
Divers with certain conditions may have difficulty safely diving. Some chronic conditions or medications can make it difficult for someone to safely dive. Diving requires regular physical activity. Women who are pregnant should avoid scuba diving. You should consult your doctor if any of these conditions are present before you attempt to scuba dive. For more information, see the following page.
The Recreational Scuba Training Council in North America will require you to complete a medical questionnaire. This form can be downloaded from many places. After completing the questionnaire, the RSTC determines whether the prospective diver will need to have a medical examination. While those who answer yes to the questions will not necessarily be disqualified from diving, they can indicate that they may be suffering from a medical condition that would affect their safety.
Courses available
You must be at least 8 years old to dive. The age required to dive depends on where you live. The PADI Bubblemaker program is designed for children if you are unsure if you are old enough. It teaches them about buoyancy and pressure. They can also practice their skills in the pool. During this training, they can go as deep at 12 feet.
To be a fully qualified diver, you must be eight years old. Many agencies offer courses that are suitable for children aged 8 and up, but will not allow you to dive in open water. PADI has programs for younger divers such as the Seal Team and Bubblemaker. While this may not seem like the best program for beginners, it is a great way of getting a taster of the experience.
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. Many reputable dive centers require information about your certification, number and history of diving. Refresher courses may be required if you have not dived in six months. Although the certificate is not valid for expiration, it's a good idea to take a refresher course each now and again to stay current on all the rules and regulations.
Five types of diving knowledge are required to get scuba certified. The first two components are the classroom and the second an open-water dive. Each dive will represent an emergency situation in which you must be able to quickly return to the surface. This section of the course works in the same way as obtaining your driver's license. You will need to pass your open-water dive knowledge exam and complete the required knowledge tests.