Do you need to be 18 years old to learn to scuba-dive? Your personal circumstances will dictate the answer. The junior certification course can be completed by young children. They can then move on to more challenging dives. Teenagers and adults can also pursue adult scuba certification courses. Both courses require that students be at the least 15 years old with some experience. Below are the medical and physical requirements for each certification level.
You must be at minimum age to scubadive
The recreational scuba training committee (RSTC) advises that anyone under 15 not scuba-dive. However, children under eight can learn to dive and are eligible for training. Because there is limited scientific study on the effects of scuba diving on children, this age requirement is not absolute and can vary from person to person. Qualified instructors should be trained to teach children.
There is no minimum age requirement to learn to scuba diver. 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.
You will need to meet your medical and physical needs
There are some conditions that make it difficult for a person to safely participate in scuba diving. The ability to safely dive may be affected by certain medications and chronic conditions. Regular exercise is required to dive safely. For this reason, women who are pregnant should not attempt to scuba dive. Before you dive, make sure to talk to your doctor about any of the above conditions. More information about medical and physical requirements for diving can be found here.
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. 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
For scuba diving, you need to be at the least eighteen years of age. Depending on where you are, this age can be a lot lower or higher. 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 this training, they can go as deep at 12 feet.
To be fully certified, you need to have at least eighteen. Most agencies offer courses for children as young as eight, but they won't get you certified to dive in open water. PADI offers Seal Team and Bubblemaker programs for young divers. This program is great for getting a taste of the experience, even though it may not be the best option for beginners.
Certification requirements
The validity of your scuba diving certificate is never expired. However, if teaching scuba to novices or starting a business, an instructor's license will be required. Reputable dive centers will ask you about your certification, dive history, and number of dives. A refresher course may be necessary if you haven’t dived in six or more months. 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.
You will need to have at least five types diving knowledge in order for you to become a scuba diver. The classroom component and open-water diving are the two main components. Each dive will simulate an emergency situation and require you to be able quickly to return to the surface. This is similar to getting your driver's licence. The open-water dive requires you to take your knowledge tests and complete an exam in order to pass.