Do you need to be 18 years old to learn to scuba-dive? This question is dependent on your personal situation. You can take your junior certification course with children and then go deeper. Adult certification courses can be taken by teens and adults. 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.
Scuba diving is only for those over 18
The recreational scubatraining council recommends that people younger than 15 years old should not scubadive. However, children under eight can learn to dive and are eligible for 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. Always have a qualified instructor train children in scuba diving.
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. 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. 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
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 physical activity is required for diving. Scuba diving is not for women who are pregnant. Before you dive, make sure to talk to your doctor about any of the above conditions. Learn more about the medical and physical requirements to scubadive.
The Recreational Scuba Training Council in North America will require you to complete a medical questionnaire. This form can be downloaded from many places. The RSTC will then determine if the prospective divers needs to be examined for medical reasons. 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 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 also learn how to dive in a pool. During training they can reach depths of up to 12 feet.
To be fully certified, you need to have at least eighteen. 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 programs and the Bubblemaker program for younger divers. While it might not be the best for beginners, this program can give you a taste.
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. Most reputable dive centers ask about your certification, number of dives, and dive history. You may need to refresher your certification if you haven’t dived for six months or more. 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.
You will need to have at least five types diving knowledge in order for you to become a scuba diver. The first two components are the classroom and the second an open-water dive. Each dive will be a simulation of an emergency situation, wherein you'll need to be able to return to the surface quickly. 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.