Do you need to be 18 years old to learn to scuba-dive? Your individual circumstances will determine the answer. Junior certification can be completed by children who wish to dive deeper. Teenagers as well as adults can take adult scuba certification courses. Both courses require that students be at the least 15 years old with some experience. The physical and medical requirements for each certification level are outlined below.
You must be at least 18 to scuba dive.
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. The effects of scuba dive on children is still not well-studied and may vary from one person to another. Always have a qualified instructor train children in scuba diving.
Scuba diving is not a sport that requires a minimum age. PADI and some schools may train children as young at 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. The British Sub-Aqua Club also allows young people to be trained. However, they must be 12 years or older before they can take part in any training programs.
Needs for medical and physical care
Divers with certain conditions may have difficulty safely diving. Some chronic conditions or medications can make it difficult for someone to safely dive. Regular exercise is required to dive safely. Scuba diving is not for women who are pregnant. Before you take the plunge, consult your doctor if you have any of these conditions. Find out more about the requirements for scuba diving.
To begin, you'll need to fill out the Recreational Scuba Training Council's medical questionnaire. This organization is located in North America. This form is available at many locations. After completing the questionnaire, the RSTC determines whether the prospective diver will need to have a medical examination. Those who answer "yes" to the medical questions do not necessarily disqualify themselves from diving, but they do indicate that they may have a pre-existing medical condition that would interfere with their safety while scuba diving.
Courses available
You must be at least 8 years old to dive. This age may vary depending on where you live. 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.
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. Although this program may not seem like the best choice for beginners, it can be a great way to get a taste of the experience.
Certification requirements
Scuba diving certifications never expire, but if you want to teach scuba to beginners or start a business, you will need to have an instructor's card. Many reputable dive centers require information about your certification, number and history of diving. A refresher course may be necessary if you haven’t dived in six or more 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.
To obtain scuba certification, you need to complete five different types of diving knowledge. The first two components are the classroom and the second an open-water dive. Each dive simulates an emergency situation. This portion of your course is similar in nature to obtaining a driver's permit. The open-water dive requires you to take your knowledge tests and complete an exam in order to pass.