One of the most common questions we get is: "At what age can a child start diving?" The answer is from the age of 8, and they can take a course from the age of 10.
Children can start diving as early as the age of eight through a so-called Discovery or Intro dive, where they dive under the guidance of an instructor to a maximum depth of 6 metres. From the age of ten they can take the Junior Scuba Diver course, which allows them to dive to 12 metres, while children from 12 to 14 can go to a depth of 18 metres, also with appropriate supervision. Once they turn 15 they can obtain the full Open Water Scuba Diver certification and dive independently to 18 metres, according to the applicable standards.
However, it is important to stress a few key conditions. The child must be in good physical health and of suitable build. The weight of diving gear can represent a significant percentage of a child's total body mass, so children who are too small should not yet be scuba diving.
There is a standard medical statement form. Naturally, it has to be signed by a parent or guardian. If you have doubts about any aspect of your child's health (say bronchitis, allergies or similar), consult your family doctor. If there is any doubt, they will recommend a specialist examination by a doctor of hyperbaric medicine. Only a doctor of hyperbaric medicine can tell you whether a child may dive or not. Doctors often want to play it safe and say NO, but that is a consequence of their unfamiliarity with recreational diving for children. This type of diving is far easier than commercial diving, where the strain is far greater and the health requirements are therefore stricter.
Children of average height and build for their age usually have no problems with the gear and can safely start diving as early as the age of 10. For them there is a special entry level course called Junior Open Water Diver.
It is important to know that Junior divers must not dive alone, they always have to be accompanied by an instructor, a parent or another adult with appropriate experience and at least an OWD certification.
When a child turns 14, their category is automatically upgraded to the standard Open Water Diver certification, without an additional course. That is why it is recommended to choose the digital certification card (C-card) already when enrolling in the course, because it can easily be updated and transferred to the higher category.
