Divers age 10 to 14 are certified as a PADI Jr. Open Water Diver. This means if you are age 10 or 11, you may only dive to a depth of 40 feet and must dive with a PADI professional or certified parent/guardian. If you are age 12, 13, or 14, you must dive with a certified adult. Once you turn 15, you can submit the paperwork, photo, and fee to get your junior certification card upgraded to a PADI Open Water Diver rating.
How does Junior Open Water training course differ from standard training?
Although the course requirements are the same for all Open Water Diver students regardless of age, we recognize from experience that our younger students often need more time to develop the comfort and mastery that a certified diver needs. And so, step-by-step, we prepare our students, never forgetting that diving should be fun. We schedule extra time when needed and we promise we won’t take shortcuts when training.
Why does training for 10 and 11 year olds cost more?
When there are 10 or 11 year olds in training, we are limited to how many students we can work with at once. Having a student who is 10 or 11 means there can be only four students per instructor. Normally we could have as many as 10 students per instructor. We also know that it takes extra training time for students to master the skills. So because of student limits and extra training, we charge more.
Does it cost more for 12, 13 or 14 year olds?
No. Although we expect some extra pool time is needed, it usually is less than for our 10 & 11 year olds. Plus, there are no extra limitations on the instructor’s student count like there are for 10 & 11 year olds.
Is there a minimum age requirement to dive?
You must be at least 15 years old to receive a regular certification. Students who are between 10 and 14 years old may take the course with a parent and receive the Junior Open Water Diver certification.
Should I have my child wait until they turn 12?
No, not when there is an opportunity to dive now! You know your child’s capabilities.
Is scuba diving safe?
Statistically, scuba diving is a very safe sport when properly trained and when following proper procedures. There are very few incidents in scuba compared to the number of dives performed annually. In addition, scuba diving is a nonimpact and noncompetitive sport.
Are there any medical restrictions for learning to dive?
All students complete a brief medical statement which asks about certain conditions that could be problematic while diving. If any of these apply, your physician would be able to evaluate your medical history and make an informed decision based on medical diving guidelines. These guidelines are available upon request at MDC Sports.
How long does it take to get certified?
Your scuba training can start as soon as you sign up and get your student materials. Your home study will take about 10-12 hours. After that, your pool and open water dives can be done in as little as four days.
Do we need to purchase any equipment to learn to dive?
MDC Sports will provide all necessary scuba gear for training except for mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit boots. We recommend your child purchase their own mask, snorkel, fins and boots although they may be rented for the class.
What are some of the benefits of diving?
Divers learn about science and environmental issues in a new and meaningful way. Diving gets you active outdoors and away from the video games and also provides an opportunity for parents and kids to bond. There is nothing like sharing an exciting dive with your family! Your child can even earn the Boy Scout Scuba Diving Merit Badge or college credit for being a certified diver.