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. Adult certification can be pursued by both 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.
To scuba-dive, you must be at least 18
The recreational scuba diving council (RSTC), recommends that children under 15 years old not scuba dive. 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. Qualified instructors should be trained to teach children.
There is no set minimum age to learn to scuba dive. Some schools, such as PADI, will train kids as early as age ten. Children under 10 years old are considered junior divers. They will then be promoted to the appropriate adult level once they reach the right 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
Scuba diving can be dangerous for some people. Certain medications or chronic conditions may impact the ability of a person to dive safely. Diving requires regular physical activity. Pregnant women should not attempt scuba diving. You should consult your doctor if any of these conditions are present before you attempt to scuba dive. For more information, see the following page.
To start, you will need a Medical Questionnaire from the Recreational Scuba Training Council. It is an organization in North America. This form can be downloaded from many places. Upon completion of the questionnaire, the RSTC will determine whether the prospective diver needs to undergo a medical examination. While those who answer yes to the questions will not necessarily be disqualified from diving, they can indicate that they may be suffering from a medical condition that would affect their safety.
Courses available
For scuba diving, you need to be at the least eighteen years of age. Depending on your location, the age requirement can vary greatly. You can still check the PADI Bubblemaker program if you're unsure whether you're old enough. It teaches them about buoyancy and pressure. 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. 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 it might not be the best for beginners, this program can give you a taste.
Certification requirements
While scuba diving certifications do not expire, instructors' cards are required if you plan to teach scuba, or start a business. Many reputable dive centers require information about your certification, number and history of diving. If you haven't dived in six months or more, you may need to take a refresher course. Although the certificate is not valid for expiration, it's a good idea to take a refresher course each now and again to stay current on all the rules and regulations.
You will need to have at least five types diving knowledge in order for you to become a scuba diver. The first two are open-water and the second is classroom. 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. The open-water dive requires you to take your knowledge tests and complete an exam in order to pass.