To learn to scuba diver, how old must you be? This question is dependent on your personal situation. Children can finish their junior certification and dive to greater depths. Adult scuba certification is also available for teens and adults. Both courses require you to be at least fifteen years old and have a minimum of a few years experience. Below are the requirements for each level of certification.
You must be at minimum age to scubadive
The recreational scuba training committee (RSTC) advises that anyone under 15 not scuba-dive. However, children as young eighteen can learn to scuba diver and take training. The effects of scuba dive on children is still not well-studied and may vary from one person to another. Children should always be trained by a qualified instructor.
There is no minimum age requirement to learn to scuba diver. PADI is one school that trains kids as young a ten year 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. 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
Some conditions make it more difficult to dive safely. Certain medications or chronic conditions may impact the ability of a person to dive safely. Regular physical activity is essential for diving. Diving is not recommended for pregnant women. Before you dive, make sure to talk to your doctor about any of the above conditions. You can find more information on the physical and medical requirements to scuba dive.
To begin, you will need to complete a medical questionnaire provided by the Recreational Scuba Training Council, an organization in North America. This form is available from many sources. The RSTC will then determine if the prospective divers needs to be examined for medical reasons. 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. The PADI Bubblemaker program is designed for children if you are unsure if you are old enough. It teaches them about buoyancy and pressure. They also learn how to dive in a pool. They can go as deep as 12 feet during this training.
At least eight years of age is required to become a fully certified diver. While most agencies offer courses to children as young as 8, they won't give you the certification to dive in open-water. 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. Divers who have been to reputable centers are required to provide information such as your certification, number, and dive history. You may need to refresher your certification if you haven’t dived for six months or more. 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.
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 section of the course works in the same way as obtaining your driver's license. To pass the open-water dive, you will need to complete a knowledge test and take an exam.