To learn to scuba diver, how old must you be? Your personal circumstances will dictate the answer. Children can finish their junior certification and dive to greater depths. 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.
To scuba-dive, you must be at least 18
The recreational scuba training committee (RSTC) advises that anyone under 15 not scuba-dive. Children as young at eight years old can learn how to dive and get training. Because there is limited scientific study on the effects of scuba diving on children, this age requirement is not absolute and can vary from person to person. Always have a qualified instructor train children in scuba diving.
Scuba diving is not a sport that requires a minimum age. Some schools, such as PADI, will train kids as early as age ten. Generally, kids under the age of 10 are classified as junior level divers and will be upgraded to the appropriate adult level when they reach the appropriate age. Similarly, the British Sub-Aqua Club allows young people to become trained, though they must be at least 12 years old before they can participate in any training programs.
Physical and medical requirements
Some conditions make it more difficult to dive safely. The ability to safely dive may be affected by certain medications and chronic conditions. Regular physical activity is essential for diving. Diving is not recommended for pregnant women. You should consult your doctor if any of these conditions are present before you attempt to scuba dive. You can find more information on the physical and medical requirements to scuba dive.
To start, you will need a Medical Questionnaire from the Recreational Scuba Training Council. It is an organization in North America. This form can be obtained from many places. The RSTC will decide if the potential diver requires a medical exam after completing the questionnaire. 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. Depending on where your are from, this age could be lower or higher. If you're still unsure about whether you're old enough, check out the PADI Bubblemaker program, designed for kids. It teaches them how to dive, including pressure and buoyancy. They can also practice their skills in the pool. During this training they can dive to as much as 12 feet.
At least eight years of age is required to become a fully certified diver. Although most agencies offer courses for children under eight years old, they will not give you certification to dive in open waters. PADI offers Seal Team, the Bubblemaker program, and Seal Team for younger divers. Even though this might not be the best program for beginners it can provide a great opportunity to experience the diving lifestyle.
Certification requirements
The validity of your scuba diving certificate is never expired. However, if teaching scuba to novices or starting a business, an instructor's license will be required. Many reputable dive centers require information about your certification, number and history of diving. A refresher course is recommended if you haven’t scuba dived for at least six months. Even though your certificate will not expire, you should still take a refresher class every now and again to ensure that you are current with all rules and regulations.
Five types of diving knowledge are required to get scuba certified. The first two are open-water and the second is classroom. Each dive will simulate an emergency situation and require you to be able quickly to return to the surface. This portion of the course is similar to getting a driver’s license. You will need to pass your open-water dive knowledge exam and complete the required knowledge tests.