Minimum Age to Learn to Scuba Dive Cairns?

Children Age 10 Years to 11 Years Old

Children, age 10-11 years can obtain the PADI junior open water diver license. This license is restricted to a maximum depth of 12 meters. Children must dive with a dive guide/instructor or experienced diver at all times.

Upon turning 12 years of age children would then be allowed to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters but still must dive with a dive guide/instructor or experienced diver at all times.

Children Age 12 Years to 14 Years Old

Children aged 12 thru 14 years can obtain the PADI junior open water diver license. This certification at this age group allows them to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Junior open water divers still must dive with a dive guide/instructor or experienced diver at all times. After turning 15 years of age the PADI junior open water diver license automatically turns into the PADI open water licence.

Children Age 15 Years to 17 Years Old

Children ages 15 Years thru to 17 Years will be able to obtain the PADI open water dive license. This will allow them to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters with a dive buddy. Please note a parent or guardian will need to sign all waiver forms and paperwork as the Children are still under 18 years of age.

Adults Age 18 Years and Older

Persons 18 years and older are classed as Adults they can obtain the PADI Open Water Dive License at their own leisure. This allows scuba diving to a maximum depth of 18 meters deep. Unless further diver education is obtained all PADI open water divers are required to dive with a dive buddy at all times. All general safety requirements also apply please read below.

SSI Open Water Learn to Dive Courses:

Please note everyone needs to be 12 years or older to learn to dive with SSI.
Please note children 12 years thru to 15 years will receive the Junior SSI open water learn to dive course (Which allows a maximum depth of 12 meters ) and once they turn 16 years this automatically roles over into the Open Water License allowing a max depth of 18 meters. In Cairns, there is a fantastic 3-Day/2-Night SSI Learn to Dive Course with Reef Encounter.

Safety while Learning to Scuba Dive.

To learn to scuba dive everyone must be medically fit with no asthma and not be taking any prescription medication. PADI Recommends allowing up to 24 hours after diving before flying in an aeroplane or going to high altitude.

In general, to learn to scuba dive you should be a good swimmer, in good general fitness and if you are over the ages of 45 years you will be required to obtain an Australian Standards Dive Medical AS4005.1.

All students no matter what age will be required to fill out a dive medical questionnaire and waiver forms. If you have any doubt about passing a dive medical questionnaire then it is recommended to seek a dive doctor and complete the Australian Standards Dive Medical AS4005.1.

In Conclusion:

The minimum age to learn to scuba dive in Cairns is 10 years old. The restrictions are 10 years to 12 years old are limited to a maximum depth of 12 meters and must dive with a dive guide/instructor or experienced diver at all times.