The Ultimate Guide to Teen Scuba Certification

Diving is by far the best way to explore the ocean beyond just the surface and In this post, you will find my experience with scuba certification and my tips and tricks for the process.

Which Dive Organization?

There are many different dive organizations to choose from when getting the basic open water dive certification. Between PADI, SSI, and more, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out with program is best for you. At my local dive shop, I was certified with PADI, which is the organization that I personally recommend, especially for teens.

First, PADI is the world’s leading scuba dive organization. Most international dive shops use PADI, making it much easier to get your first certification and more advanced certifications abroad. Second, they accommodate kids really well with a Junior Open Water Certification. I was certified at my local dive shop, which uses PADI, and was really happy with the process (see below). PADI is also sure to be around for a long time, so you won’t ever have to complete the certification process again.

What is the process?

I was certified with PADI, which has a simple, three-step process for earning a scuba certification. Those three steps are knowledge development, confined water diving, and open water diving. I completed my certification mostly at my local dive center and aquarium and then I did the last part abroad.

With PADI, you get do part of your certification online and in your hometown and then complete it abroad, giving you more flexibility with diving on an upcoming trip.

I decided to complete the knowledge development portion of the certification online, which is definitely what I recommend. My mom took the this part in the classroom, which is another option, but it makes the in-person process much longer. The online option includes 8-10 hours of learning the basics of diving and it may seem like a lot at first, but it is doable when the time is divided between a few days (I was able to finish it in 4). This purpose of this part is solely to help you understand the principles, concepts, and terms of diving.

The next step in the open water scuba certification is confined water dives. These dives are typically done in a 13ft-14ft pool or water with pool like conditions at your local dive shop. During this step, you will apply what you learned in the knowledge development part to the water. You will be able to set up equipment, descend, equalize, maintain buoyancy, and ascend, as well as many other skills, while completing one or more “mini dives”.

The last step of scuba certification are your first four open water dives. While diving during this portion, you will be asked to demonstrate all of the scuba skills from the past parts of process.

How Long Will The Process Take?

The whole scuba certification process will could be anywhere from 3-6 days. The time will differ depending on how you choose to complete the knowledge development portion. Most dive shops offer the basic open water certification course on the weekends, so it is still possible to get certified during the school year. However, there are more class times available in the summer. I completed the online part in about 8 hours, spent about a day and a half in the pool, and spent 2 days doing 2 open water dives a day.

Example Overview Schedule

Day 1: Knowledge Development (In classroom or online)

Day 2: Knowledge Development + Final Exam (In classroom or online)

Day 3: Confined Water Dives + Scuba Skills (In pool)

Day 4: Open Water Certification Dives (Local area or abroad)

Day 5: Open Water Certification Dives (Local area or abroad)

What Gear Is Necessary?

When you are getting scuba certified, it is most likely that your scuba dive shop will provide you with all of the gear you will need. However, once you get your official certification you can rent gear or buy gear your own gear. Below is a list of all of the gear you will use on all of your dives:

-A mask

-A regulator

-A wetsuit

-A BCD

-A pair of fins

-A tank

-A dive computer

All of the above gear can be rented for every dive you do, but if you plan on becoming an avid diver or diving multiple times a year, I recommend investing in your own gear.

Especially as a teen, getting some of your own gear will really impact your diving. As someone who has to travel to dive, I only have my own regulator, but having a wetsuit that is tailored to you or a mouthpiece that fits comfortably inside your mouth can make all the difference. If you wear glasses or contacts, having a prescription mask can also make it easier to see under the water. However, it is important to remember not to buy an expensive wetsuit or BCD until you are done growing. If your budget only allows for you to purchase minimal gear for diving, I recommend either a mask if you need it for vision improvement or a regulator for cleanliness and for comfort, as you don’t know how well the rented regulators are being cleaned or how hard you may have to bite down for it to stay in your mouth. The major takeaway should be to assess how many times a year you will be diving and whether or not it is worth it and from there decide what to invest in.

Do I Ever Have To Certify Again?

Nope! Getting certified to scuba dive young has so many positives, the biggest one being practice. Just like any sport or activity, more experience and practice will result with more comfort in the water and around the wildlife. It is also easier to master diving when you are a teen and you will have heaps of time to earn more advanced certifications, including PADI’s Advanced Open Water Diver Course and Enriched Air Course. While you never have to get certified again, PADI offers a “touch-up” course, where you can review the basic scuba skills. I haven’t taken this course yet, but it is a great way to get back into diving after taking a long break (which will probably be most of us after this pandemic!).

Where Will I Be Able To Dive?

You can dive everywhere! While it may not be world-class diving, even land locked places have somewhere. At the Denver Aquarium, diving is available in many of the bigger tanks, which is were I completed two of my certification dives, and similar dives are offered at many aquariums around the US. I’ve been diving in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in Maui Hawaii, with bull sharks in Fiji, and with manta rays in Bora Bora.

Overview

Which dive organization?: PADI is definitely the dive organization I recommend going with. The instructors are amazing and they offer world class diving in almost every destination around the world.

What is the process?: Find a dive shop to get certified at, complete the knowledge development portion in class or online and take a final exam, learn the essential scuba skills and do some “mini” dives, and conquer some open water dives and that’s it!

How long is the process?: The process can be anywhere form 3-6 days

What gear do I need?: None to start, but you can choose to buy some of your own gear once you are certified.

Do I ever have to re-certify: You never have to certify again!

Opinion + Experience

As a young diver, I encourage every teen, even the ones who are considering it, to get scuba certified. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to do it and it will give you an entirely different perspective on the ocean. Diving gives you an indescribable feeling of gratitude and appreciation towards the wildlife and environment around you. It opens countless doors to possibility and experiences, which will always give you something to look forward to. I never regret getting certified and I hope this guide inspires you to take a leap and join the underwater world.