What age do you need to be to learn how to scuba dive. It depends on your situation. Children can complete their junior certification course and go to deeper depths. Teenagers as well as adults can take adult scuba certification courses. Both courses require you to be at least fifteen years old and have a minimum of a few years experience. The physical and medical requirements for each certification level are outlined below.
To scuba-dive, you must be at least 18
The recreational scubatraining council recommends that people younger than 15 years old should not scubadive. Children as young as 8 years old can learn to scuba dive, and receive 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.
Scuba diving is not a sport that requires a minimum age. PADI and some schools may train children as young at 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. Young people can also train with the British Sub-Aqua Club, but they must be atleast 12 years old to participate in any training programs.
You will need to meet your medical and physical needs
There are some conditions that make it difficult for a person to safely participate in scuba diving. The ability to safely dive may be affected by certain medications and chronic conditions. Regular physical activity is required for diving. For this reason, women who are pregnant should not attempt to scuba dive. If you have any of these conditions, you should consult your doctor before taking the plunge. For more information, see the following page.
You will first need to fill out a questionnaire from the Recreational Scuba Training Council. This is an organization located in North America. This form is available from many sources. The RSTC will assess the completed questionnaire and determine if the prospective diver must undergo a medical exam. 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
Scuba diving requires that you be at least eight years of age. Depending on where you are, this age can be a lot lower or higher. You can still check the PADI Bubblemaker program if you're unsure whether you're old enough. It teaches them the basics of diving, such as buoyancy and pressure. They also practice their skills 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. 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. 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
Although scuba diving certifications are non-expiring, you'll need an instructor's card if you wish to teach scuba or start your own business. Most reputable dive centers ask about your certification, number of dives, and dive history. A refresher course may be necessary if you haven’t dived in six or more months. The certificate does not expire but you should refresh your knowledge every so often to keep up with the latest regulations and rules.
To obtain scuba certification, you need to complete five different types of diving knowledge. The first two are the classroom component and the second is an open-water dive. Each dive is a simulation of an emergency situation. You'll need to be able return to the surface quickly. 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.