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. Below are the required physical and medical requirements to be certified at each level.
Minimum age to scuba dive
The recreational scubatraining council (RSTC), advises that no one under 15 years of age should scuba dive. However, children as young eighteen can learn to scuba diver and take training. Due to limited scientific research on the effects of scuba divers on children, this age requirement may not be met. Individual results will vary. It is important that children are trained by qualified instructors.
There is no set minimum age to learn to scuba dive. Some schools, such as PADI, will train kids as early as age 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 offers training for young people, but they must also be at least 12 to take part in any programs.
You will need to meet your medical and physical needs
Divers with certain conditions may have difficulty safely diving. Some chronic conditions or medications can make it difficult for someone to safely dive. Regular physical activity is required for diving. For this reason, women who are pregnant should not attempt to scuba dive. You should consult your doctor if any of these conditions are present before you attempt to scuba dive. Learn more about the medical and physical requirements to scubadive.
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 can be obtained from many places. 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. This age may vary depending on where you live. If you're still unsure about whether you're old enough, check out the PADI Bubblemaker program, designed for kids. It teaches them how to dive, including pressure and buoyancy. They can also practice their skills in the pool. During training they can reach depths of up to 12 feet.
To be fully certified, you need to have at least eighteen. Although most agencies offer courses for children under eight years old, they will not give you certification to dive in open waters. For younger divers, PADI offers programs such as the Bubblemaker program and Seal Team. Even though this might not be the best program for beginners it can provide a great opportunity to experience the diving lifestyle.
Certification requirements
You can keep your Scuba Diving certifications valid for life. However, to be able to teach beginners or start your own business, you will need an Instructor's Card. Divers who have been to reputable centers are required to provide information such as your certification, number, and dive history. If you haven't dived in six months or more, you may need to take a refresher course. 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.
Five types of diving knowledge are required to get scuba certified. The first two are open-water and the second is classroom. Each dive will be a simulation of an emergency situation, wherein you'll need to be able to 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.