Children can learn to scuba dive, but separate rules on age, depth and supervision apply to them. They are set by the international diver training organisations PADI and SDI, whose programmes Divemen teaches. Below is what both organisations allow at each age, what you need before the course and what we can offer.
From 8: a first try in the pool
For the youngest, both organisations have introductory programmes in a pool or similar conditions. They are not courses: there is no certificate afterwards.
- PADI Bubblemaker: from 8, no deeper than 2 m, always under the supervision of a PADI Professional.
- SDI Future Buddies: for children aged 8–12, with parental consent, no deeper than 6 m, under the direct supervision of an instructor.
Ask us whether we can arrange such a first dive for your child, and from what age children can join our intro dive.
From 10: a try dive and the first certificate
A try dive
From 10 both organisations let children try diving not only in a pool but also in open water:
- PADI Discover Scuba Diving: from 10, no deeper than 12 m.
- SDI Scuba Discovery: from 10 with parental consent. It starts with at least 30 minutes in a pool or similar conditions; if an open-water dive follows, it is no deeper than 9 m.
The junior certificate
From the age of 10 children can complete the Open Water course and get a junior certificate: PADI Junior Open Water Diver or SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver. PADI says the junior course covers the same material as the adult Open Water Diver course. The differences are fewer students per instructor and stricter depth limits.
Until a junior diver turns 15, these rules apply:
| Age | PADI | SDI |
|---|---|---|
| 10–11 | To 12 m, only with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian | Only under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or dive professional |
| 12–14 | To 18 m, only with a certified adult | Only under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or dive professional |
The SDI course dives are no deeper than 18 m. At 15 the junior certificate can be upgraded to the adult one: PADI prints a new card without the word "Junior", and SDI needs an upgrade form (under 18, with a consent letter signed by a parent or guardian). SDI also asks for proof of diving in the last 12 months, such as a logbook or a dive computer download; without it, the diver first refreshes their skills with an instructor.
From 12: further courses
- PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver: from 12. With this certificate divers aged 12–14 may dive to 21 m.
- SDI Advanced Adventure Diver: from 10 with parental consent; divers aged 10–14 must not go deeper than 21 m.
Specialty courses have different age limits. Our nitrox course, for example, can be started from 12 with a PADI certificate and the Deep Diver course from 15. With an SDI certificate both courses are from 18.
What Divemen offers
- Open Water Diver (OWD) course: the course page gives the age as from 10–12. Ask us whether your child can start at 10 or 11.
- Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) course: from 12.
The theory takes place at our centre in Vilnius or online, the practice in the Lazdynai pool and in Lake Galvė, Trakai. PADI advises talking to the dive centre and the instructor about a child's readiness, so write to us before you sign your child up.
For parents who want to learn how to help an injured or suddenly ill child, there is the First Aid for Children course.
What you need before the course
- Parental consent. SDI requires written parental consent for students aged 10–17, and on the medical questionnaire PADI uses, a parent or guardian signs for a minor.
- Medical questionnaire. Before the course you fill in a diving medical questionnaire (Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire). If you answer "yes" to certain questions, a physician's evaluation is needed: you can take part in the course only with the physician's approval. Our Open Water course requirements list a medical statement that nothing prevents you from diving.
- Swimming. Your child must be able to swim and be comfortable in water. During the course they will swim 200 m in any stroke and stay afloat for 10 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can a child get a diving certificate?
From 10. PADI and SDI let children aged 10–14 complete the Junior Open Water Diver course, and at 15 the certificate can be upgraded to the adult one.
How deep can children dive?
Under PADI rules junior divers aged 10–11 dive no deeper than 12 m, and those aged 12–14 no deeper than 18 m. With the PADI Junior Advanced Open Water certificate, divers aged 12–14 may go to 21 m.
Can a junior diver dive without an adult?
No. Under PADI rules divers aged 10–11 dive with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian, and those aged 12–14 with a certified adult. SDI requires divers aged 10–14 to dive under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or dive professional.
From what age does Divemen teach children?
Our Open Water Diver (OWD) course page gives the age as from 10–12, and the AOWD course from 12. For younger children, ask us.