What age do you need to be to learn how to scuba dive. It depends on your situation. The junior certification course can be completed by young children. They can then move on to more challenging dives. Adult scuba certification is also available for teens and adults. Both courses require that students be at the least 15 years old with some experience. Below are the required physical and medical requirements to be certified at each level.
You must be at least 18 to scuba dive.
The recreational scuba training council (RSTC) recommends that people under the age of 15 should not scuba dive. However, children as young as eight can learn how to scuba dive and undergo 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.
You don't have to be at least 18 to learn to dive. PADI and other schools will instruct children as young as 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 permits young people to train, although they must have attained the age of 12 in order to participate.
Physical and medical requirements
Certain conditions can make it challenging for someone to safely dive. 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. If you have any of these conditions, you should consult your doctor before taking the plunge. For more information, see the following page.
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 downloaded from many places. Upon completion of the questionnaire, the RSTC will determine whether the prospective diver needs to undergo a medical examination. The answer to the medical questions does not automatically disqualify a person from diving. However, it indicates that they might have a pre-existing condition that could affect their safety.
Courses available
To dive, you must be at minimum eight years old. Depending on where your are from, this age could be lower or higher. The PADI Bubblemaker program is designed for children if you are unsure if you are old enough. They learn the basics of diving like pressure and buoyancy. They also practice in a pool. During this training, they can dive as far as 12 feet.
To be a fully qualified diver, you must be eight years old. 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 programs and the Bubblemaker program 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
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. Divers who have been to reputable centers are required to provide information such as your certification, number, and dive history. A refresher course may be necessary if you haven’t dived in six or more months. You can still keep your certificate valid, but it won't expire. However, you should make sure you are up-to-date on the most recent rules and regulations.
Five types of diving knowledge are required to get scuba certified. The first two are the classroom component and the second is an open-water dive. Each dive will be a simulation of an emergency situation, wherein you'll need to be able to return to the surface quickly. This portion of the course is similar to getting a driver’s license. The open-water dive requires you to take your knowledge tests and complete an exam in order to pass.