Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving.

Avoid disappointment, download and review the Diver Medical form to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a scuba course. Instructors, divemasters and dive shop staff are not physicians and should not be asked for medical advice; only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive.

If you (or your physician) have questions about medical fitness to dive, contact the experts at Divers Alert Network (DAN).

Course prerequisites:

• to be able to swim, comfortable in the water

• medically fit for diving,

• Minimum age: 10

Children eight or older can try scuba diving in a pool (or pool-like environment).

For your convenience please finish the PADI Discover Scuba Diving eLearning before the in-water part.

If not possible you will watch a DVD, or receive a briefing lead by a PADI Dive Professional.

It takes approximately 30 minutes.

You will learn the basic safety guidelines and skills needed to dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Dive Professional.

If you make an open water dive, you'll practice a few more skills in shallow water to prepare for your adventure.

Get ready to:

• Go over the scuba equipment you use to dive and how easy it is to move around underwater with your gear.

• Find out what it's like to breathe underwater.

• Learn key skills that you'll use during every scuba dive.

• Have fun swimming around and exploring.

Hear about becoming a certified diver through the PADI Open Water Diver course.

PADI eLearning: 20-30 minutes

Entire program: 2-3 hours