What age do you need to be to learn how to scuba dive. Your personal circumstances will dictate the answer. Junior certification can be completed by children who wish to dive deeper. Adult certification can be pursued by both teens and adults. For both courses, you must be at least 15 years old and have at least a little bit of experience. Below are the requirements for each level of certification.
You must be at minimum age to scubadive
The recreational scuba training council (RSTC) recommends that people under the age of 15 should not scuba dive. However, children as young eighteen can learn to scuba diver and take 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. Qualified instructors should be trained to teach children.
Scuba diving can be learned at any age, but there is no minimum age. PADI is one of the schools that will teach kids as young as ten years old. 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 exercise is necessary for diving. Women who are pregnant should avoid scuba diving. Before you take the plunge, consult your doctor if you have any of these conditions. 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. You can obtain this form from many sources. 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
At least eight years old is required to go scuba diving. This age may vary depending on where you live. You can still check the PADI Bubblemaker program if you're unsure whether you're old enough. The program teaches them basic diving skills, including pressure and buoyancy. They also learn to dive in a swimming pool. During this training, they can dive as far as 12 feet.
You must be at least eighteen years old to become a fully-certified diver. Most agencies offer courses for children as young as eight, but they won't get you certified to dive in open water. PADI offers Seal Team, the Bubblemaker program, and Seal Team for younger divers. While it might not be the best for beginners, this program can give you a taste.
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. A refresher course is recommended if you haven’t scuba dived for at least 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.
You must have five types of diving knowledge to be able to obtain your scuba certification. The classroom component and open-water diving are the two main components. Each dive will represent an emergency situation in which you must be able to quickly return to the surface. This portion of your course is similar in nature to obtaining a driver's permit. For open-water diving, you must pass both knowledge and exam.