What age do you need to be to learn how to scuba dive. Your personal circumstances will dictate the answer. Children can finish their junior certification and dive to greater depths. Adult certification can be pursued by both teens and adults. You must be at minimum 15 years of age and have some experience. Below are the required physical and medical requirements to be certified at each level.
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. 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. A qualified instructor should instruct children.
You don't have to be at least 18 to learn to dive. PADI is one school that trains kids as young a ten year old. The majority of children under 10 years old are junior-level divers. When they reach adult level, they will be upgraded. 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
Scuba diving can be dangerous for some people. Some chronic conditions or medications can make it difficult for someone to safely dive. Regular physical activity is essential for diving. Pregnant women should not attempt scuba diving. Before taking the plunge, it is a good idea to consult your physician if you have any conditions. You can find more information on the physical and medical requirements to scuba dive.
The Recreational Scuba Training Council in North America will require you to complete a medical questionnaire. This form can be downloaded from many places. After completing the questionnaire, the RSTC determines whether the prospective diver will need to have 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. If you're still unsure about whether you're old enough, check out the PADI Bubblemaker program, designed for kids. The program teaches them basic diving skills, including pressure and buoyancy. They also practice in a pool. During this training, they can go as deep at 12 feet.
You must be at least eighteen years old to become a fully-certified diver. Most agencies offer courses even for children as young at eighteen, but these won't allow you to be certified to dive open water. PADI offers Seal Team and Bubblemaker programs for young 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. Refresher courses may be required if you have not dived in six months. The certificate does not expire but you should refresh your knowledge every so often to keep up with the latest regulations and rules.
Five types of diving knowledge is required in order to attain scuba certification. The classroom component and open-water diving are the two main components. Each dive is a simulation of an emergency situation. You'll need to be able return to the surface quickly. This portion of your course is similar in nature to obtaining a driver's permit. To pass the open-water dive, you will need to complete a knowledge test and take an exam.