If you are looking for the scuba diving depth for beginners, then you’ve come to the right place! Here we will look at the official PADI Discover Scuba Diving depth limit, other agency limits for beginners, and additional limits for the most popular scuba diving courses.

DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING DEPTH LIMIT

Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) is the first level in PADI’s scuba diving training. This is the equivalent of the SSI Try Scuba Diving (TSD) beginner course. These ‘try dives’ are not a certification, but the chance to learn some basic underwater skills and ‘try a dive.’ This will sometimes take place in a swimming pool, or straight out into the ocean. You will need to learn the skills in ‘confined waters’ which means pool-like conditions, where it is safe and contained. The depth for the training should be in water that you can stand up in. Once the basic training is complete, you will then progress to deeper water. The PADI DSD and the SSI TSD scuba diving depth for beginners is 12 meters or 40 feet.

If you are comfortable and want to continue exploring the underwater world, then we would also recommend you try the Open Water course. The Open Water diving course is not hard at all, and this is your full certification or licence to dive around the world. The best part about this certification is that it never runs out! You will need to dive regularly to keep up your skills, but if you haven’t dived for a while, then you can always undertake a ‘Refresher’ course. This is generally a few hours where you just practice and run through most of the skills. You won’t believe how fast you pick it up again!

SCUBA DIVING DEPTH FOR BEGINNERS

The Open Water course from PADI and SSI is a mixture of theory, a swim and float test, confined dives, and open water dives (usually in the ocean). You will run through basic and more advanced skills, along with practicing skills for unlikely events. At the end of the course, you will understand the theory behind diving, what are the best and safe practices as a scuba diver, how to use a dive computer, how to set up and check your own equipment, and best of all, learn about your buoyancy underwater! The scuba diving depth for Open Water beginners is 18 meters or 60 feet.

There are many other scuba diving organizations around the world. While PADI and SSI are arguably the most known, BSAC, RAID and NAUI and others are also scuba diving organisations that have their own Open Water equivalent and depth limits.

• BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) Ocean Diver limit is 20 meters or 65 feet.
• RAID Open Water 20 limit is 20 meters or 65 feet.
• NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) is 18 meters or 60 feet.
• CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques) 1 Star Diver limit is 20 meters or 65 feet.
• SDI (Scuba Diving International) Open Water Scuba Diver limit is 18 meters or 60 feet.

WHY IS DEPTH IMPORTANT?

Restrictions are placed in scuba diving as there are risks involved, and these risks are minimised by diving within your training limits. Scuba diving is a very safe sport when following the rules. (That’s why I do it everyday!) But when you go past your physical and mental limits, this is when problems can arise.

In scuba diving, depth is important as the deeper you go the more factors you will need to consider. These include but are not limited to:

• The deeper you go, the more air you will use
• Because you are using more air, your air will run out more quickly
• As you go deeper, you will be absorbing more nitrogen in your body and tissues
• You will need to be more mindful of your No Decompression Limits (NDL) as the times will be shorter due to your deeper depth
• Beyond 25 meters or 80 feet, you have a high chance of experiencing gas narcosis
• Your buoyancy will change as you go deeper, your wetsuit will be less buoyant so you will need to compensate for this
• The visibility can dramatically change in deeper water, usually for the worse
• You may find it harder to breathe at deeper depths, this is because there is more pressure and your regulator will be impacted by this

HOW CAN I GO DEEPER?

Personally, I love going deeper underwater. The sensation is similar to what I imagine as going into space. So after your Open Water course, your option for going deeper is taking the next certification course. 

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver limit is 30 meters or 100 feet.
• SSI Advanced Adventurer Diver limit is 30 meters or 100 feet.
• BSAC Advanced Ocean Diver is 30 meters or 100 feet.
• RAID Explorer 30 limit is 30 meters or 100 feet.
• NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver limit is 40 meters or 131 feet.
• CMAS 2 Star Diver is 40 meters or 131 feet.
• SDI Advanced Adventure Diver is 30 meters or 100 feet.

Please note, some organizations will require a certain amount of logged dives before you can proceed with your Advanced course.

WHAT ARE THE SCUBA DIVING DEPTH LIMITS FOR CHILDREN?

Check with each organisation but most will allow children from the age of 10 to participate in an Open Water certification. There will be different depth limitations however.

For PADI, 10 to 11 year olds will have a maximum depth limit of 12 meters. This will increase to 18 meters after the age of 12. For their Advanced Open Water course, the limit will be 21 meters from the ages of 12 to 14 years old. This will increase to 30 meters when the child turns 15 years old.

WHAT PREVENTS SCUBA DIVERS FROM GOING DEEPER THAN 40 METERS?

Physically, there is nothing stopping you from going past your certification limits. However, as mentioned before, this is when you may not be trained for certain scenarios or situations.

The industry limit for recreational scuba divers is 40 meters or 130 feet.

This is because any deeper than this, and you will need to consider taking more tanks (due to how much faster air consumption), and also the toxic effects of oxygen at a deeper depth. This is when you enter the very cool realm of ‘technical diving.’

BUT MY INSTRUCTOR IN [RANDOM COUNTRY] ALLOWED ME TO GO DEEPER THAN MY AGENCY LIMIT

Sadly, as current working instructors, we hear this A LOT. We know the main culprits (we won’t mention it here) where the instructors are quite ‘relaxed’ with the depth limits. I would never, ever condone this, as I’ve heard many horror stories of accidents and instructors or dive shops losing their licences over such a silly, and avoidable situation.

CONCLUSION

Scuba diving is an amazing adventure that is accessible to most people. However, like with anything, there are rules and limits to follow. The scuba diving depth for beginners who are taking their Open Water certification course or equivalent is generally 18 meters or 60 feet, to 20 meters or 65 feet. Whereas the Discover Scuba Diving depth limit or Try Dive is 12 meters or 40 feet. Always check with the dive agency that you are diving with, and make sure that the instructors sticks to this limit!

Scuba diving is an activity that you might be interested in, especially when you’re on a tropical holiday. But how hard is it to scuba dive? And are there certain requirements to meet?

HOW HARD IS IT TO SCUBA DIVE?

Honestly, scuba diving is considered an extreme activity (at least, that’s what my insurance cover says!) and there are some factors to consider when trying scuba diving for the first time. But whether scuba diving is hard or easy is relative to each person.

If someone is very comfortable in the water, then they may consider scuba diving easy.

If someone is struggling a bit with understanding physics then they may consider scuba diving hard or slightly difficult.

No matter your starting level of comfort, scuba diving is a very accessible hobby that can bring a lot of enjoyment on your holiday! And a lot of things that may initially seem hard with scuba diving can quickly become easy with practice!

Let’s have a look at some of the factors to consider when looking into scuba diving as a beginner.

PRACTICAL SCUBA DIVING SKILLS

Scuba diving will consist of some practical skills that you do in the water. Your instructor will brief and tell you how to do a certain skill. They will then demonstrate the skill underwater and you will copy them. This is easier if you speak the same language as the instructor, as knowing the steps to a skill is important to do it correctly. It is also important to know why this skill is important and when you would use it underwater. For this reason, there are certain age requirements in scuba diving.

DO I NEED TO BE A CERTAIN AGE?

Yes! There is a minimum age for scuba diving and no maximum age. However, there are some factors you will need to consider as an older diver.

The reason for having a minimum age is so that the child has a level of understanding of scuba diving and the risks. Generally, the minimum age for an Open Water certification is 10 years old. At this age, the child can possibly understand the physics of diving, the risks involved, and the physical aspects of diving (carrying a tank, lifting a weight-belt, etc.)

Read More: What is the Minimum Age to Try Scuba Diving?

However, this is up to the instructor’s decision whether a child meets the requirements for scuba diving. Children learn at very different stages, and I have had a 10-year-old girl who found scuba diving very easy to understand and was a mermaid underwater. I have also had a 13-year-old student who was easily distracted and physically could not take remove and replace his weight-belt on the surface (a very important skill in the Open Water course). In this case, the boy found scuba diving quite hard and could not complete his Open Water course, but could undertake a Try Dive (we will go into the differences below).

HOW FIT SHOULD I BE?

Scuba divers come in all shapes and sizes. The beauty of diving underwater is that you are in control of your movements and it doesn’t matter if you are small, big, tall, square, round, triangle etc. However, you will need to be able to do certain physical things in order to receive your scuba diving license. For example; you will need to remove and replace your equipment on the surface and underwater. This will require some agility and coordination.

Read More: Common Scuba Diving Dangers

But, if you are struggling with something, sometimes we can adapt and make it easier for you. For example, some people find it difficult to walk and jump into the water with the BCD and tank on their back. This may be due to back problems, a smaller or larger frame, or weak legs. In this case, we would ask you to get into the water first and then put on your equipment, BCD and tank, on the surface of the water. Many times this is easier as the weight is not as noticeable when in the water! 

So while you do not have to be super fit, you will need a level of fitness. Especially when it comes to the swimming requirements for your scuba diving certification.

DO I HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO SWIM?

If you are looking for a 1 day Try Dive with no certification, then there is no swimming requirement. You will need to practice some basic skills, but after that you instructor may take you by the hand or hold your tank and swim you alongside them. All you have to do is breathe and enjoy the scenery underwater!

If you are looking for a certification or license to scuba dive, then there is a swimming requirement. Different agencies may have different standards. With the PADI Open Water course, the swim test is 200 meters swimming unaided, or 300 meters with a snorkel, mask, and fins. You will also need to float comfortably on the surface of the water for 10 minutes with no equipment or aid. This means you will need a level of comfort in the water. But you do not need to be a strong swimmer as this swim test is not timed!

Read More: Do I Need to Know How to Swim to Snorkel?

IS DIVE THEORY HARD TO UNDERSTAND?

Another aspect of scuba diving is the physics and physiology and understanding the theory behind it. Don’t worry, these words are not as scary as they sound! Basically, it’s about water pressure and what happens to your body when under that pressure. Your instructor will teach you about all of this.

In a Try Dive, they will mention the basics of this theory. In the Open Water course, you will go more in-depth about it. A good instructor will go at your pace, and explain the theory in a simple and easy manner. Remember, scuba diving is open to kids age 10 and up, so if they can understand it, you will too!

Read More: NAUI vs. PADI? Which Agency Should I Choose?

HOW DOES THE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT HOW HARD SCUBA DIVING IS?

As a tropical diver, I would say a big factor for ease of scuba diving is the pleasant conditions we have here. The water is warm so you can dive in your swimsuit or a thin rash guard. This is a big difference in diving in a cold climate and having to wear a cumbersome and awkward dry suit.

Diving in calm conditions is also going to be very different than diving in strong waves or currents. Waves can make the surface conditions uncomfortable eg. Being seasick on the boat, or being tossed around on the surface before descending.

Currents will also impact on whether you find scuba diving hard or easy. Swimming peacefully at your own pace is very different to swimming in a strong current with your rental fins falling off. When kicking hard to fight a current you will certainly find it more difficult to breathe and use your air faster. If you are unsure about your ability to dive in certain conditions, always speak to your instructor before getting into the water.

HOW HARD IS IT TO SCUBA DIVE?

So we mentioned the factors you will need to consider when learning how to scuba dive. If you meet the basic criteria then you will be able to scuba dive. Whether you find it hard or easy is up to you. 

Some people may find scuba diving quite easy and take to it like a fish. We show the student a skill, and they copy it straight away. We teach them the dive theory, such as why it’s so important to ascend slowly, and Boyle’s Law, and they pick up the concept instantly. Whereas some people may find breathing underwater difficult and take a bit longer to perfect the skill. Or take a bit longer in the classroom to understand decompression theory.

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Regardless of whether you think scuba diving is hard or easy when you first begin, does not matter. What matters is that with each dive you will get better. You will perfect the skills, whether it takes 4 dives or 40 dives. You will get more comfortable with each dive. And over time you may consider how hard is it to scuba dive, and realize that it is not hard anymore.

Did you find scuba diving hard or difficult when you first started? Let me know in the comments below!