Is it necessary to be at least 18 to learn to dive. It depends on your situation. 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. You must be at minimum 15 years of age and have some experience. Below are the medical and physical requirements for each certification level.
You must be at least 18 to scuba dive.
The recreational scubatraining council recommends that people younger than 15 years old should not scubadive. Children as young as 8 years old can learn to scuba dive, and receive 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 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.
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. Divers with chronic or severe conditions, such as diabetes or medication, may have difficulty diving safely. Regular exercise is required to dive safely. Women who are pregnant should avoid scuba diving. Before you take the plunge, consult your doctor if you have any of these conditions. More information about medical and physical requirements for diving can be found here.
To start, you will need a Medical Questionnaire from the Recreational Scuba Training Council. It is an organization in North America. This form is available at many locations. The RSTC will assess the completed questionnaire and determine if the prospective diver must undergo a medical exam. 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
At least eight years old is required to go scuba diving. The age required to dive depends on where you live. The PADI Bubblemaker program is designed for children if you are unsure if you are old enough. The program teaches them basic diving skills, including pressure and buoyancy. They also learn how to dive in a pool. During this training, they can dive as far as 12 feet.
To be fully certified, you need to have at least eighteen. Many agencies offer courses that are suitable for children aged 8 and up, but will not allow you to dive in open water. For younger divers, PADI offers programs such as the Bubblemaker program and Seal Team. This program is great for getting a taste of the experience, even though it may not be the best option for beginners.
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 reputable dive centers ask about your certification, number of dives, and dive 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 will represent an emergency situation in which you must be able to quickly return to the surface. This portion of the course is similar to getting a driver’s license. To pass the open-water dive, you will need to complete a knowledge test and take an exam.