Is it necessary to be at least 18 to learn to dive. Your personal circumstances will dictate the answer. Children can finish their junior certification and dive to greater depths. 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 physical and medical requirements required for each certification level.
To scuba-dive, you must be at least 18
The recreational scuba training committee (RSTC) advises that anyone under 15 not scuba-dive. However, children as young as eight can learn how to scuba dive and undergo 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.
You don't have to be at least 18 to learn to dive. PADI is one of the schools that will teach kids as young as ten years old. Kids under the age 10 are generally considered junior level divers. Once they reach the appropriate age, they will be upgraded to the adult level. 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.
Physical and medical requirements
Scuba diving can be dangerous for some people. A person's ability to safely dive can be affected by chronic or certain medications. Regular physical activity is essential for diving. Scuba diving is not for women who are pregnant. If you have any of these conditions, you should consult your doctor before taking the plunge. For more information, see the following page.
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 is available at many locations. The RSTC will decide if the potential diver requires a medical exam after completing the questionnaire. 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
To dive, you must be at minimum eight years old. The age required to dive depends on where you live. Check out the PADI Bubblemaker Program, which is specifically designed for children. They learn the basics of diving like pressure and buoyancy. They can also practice their skills in the pool. During this training, they can dive as far as 12 feet.
To be fully certified, you need to have at least eighteen. Most agencies offer courses even for children as young at eighteen, but these won't allow you to be certified to dive open water. For younger divers, PADI offers programs such as the Bubblemaker program and Seal Team. 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. Most dive centers that are reputable will want to know about your certification and diving history. A refresher course is recommended if you haven’t scuba dived for at least six months. 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.
To obtain scuba certification, you need to complete five different types of diving knowledge. The first two are open-water and the second is classroom. Each dive simulates an emergency situation. This portion of your course is similar in nature to obtaining a driver's permit. You will need to pass your open-water dive knowledge exam and complete the required knowledge tests.