Common scuba diving questions

Questions about learning to dive

From the first try dive to staying current. Full answers are in learning to scuba dive.

• How does certification work? Theory, pool sessions, then four open water dives over at least two days.
• How old do you have to be? The main agencies certify junior divers from age 10.
• Do I need to be a strong swimmer? No. A typical test is a 200-metre swim at any pace and 10 minutes of floating.
• How long does a course take? Usually three to four days, or a few weekends.
• How deep can I dive with Open Water? 18 metres (60 feet); 12 metres for 10- and 11-year-olds.
• Does my certification expire? No, but plan a refresher after about a year without diving.

Questions about scuba gear

What each piece does and what to own. Full answers are in the scuba gear guide for beginners.

• What should I buy first? Mask, snorkel and fins, then a dive computer.
• Should I rent or buy? Rent while you learn and if you dive only on holiday; buy as you dive more often.
• How do I know a mask fits? It stays on your face by suction when you breathe in through your nose, with no strap.
• What wetsuit thickness do I need? Roughly 3 mm in tropical water, 5 mm in mild water, 7 mm or a drysuit in cold water.
• Do I need a dive computer? Most operators expect one, and it makes every dive safer and longer.
• How often should a regulator be serviced? On the manufacturer's schedule, usually every one or two years.

Questions about dive safety

The rules every diver follows. Full answers are in the scuba diving safety guide.

• What is the most important rule? Breathe continuously; never hold your breath.
• How do I equalize my ears? Gently, early and often on the way down, and never force it.
• How fast should I ascend? No faster than 9 metres (30 feet) a minute, with a three-minute safety stop at about 5 metres.
• How long before I can fly? At least 12 hours after one dive, 18 hours after repeated dives (DAN guidelines).
• What is a buddy check? A one-minute check of BCD, weights, releases, air and final OK before every dive.
• Can I dive with a cold? Best not to; congestion makes equalizing hard and risky.

Questions about dive travel

Planning a trip around diving. Full answers are in the scuba diving travel guide.

• How do I choose a destination? Match conditions to your experience, then check the season and water temperature.
• Resort or liveaboard? A resort for flexibility and mixed groups; a liveaboard for lots of dives at remote sites.
• What should I pack? Certification card, logbook, insurance details, your personal gear and reef-friendly sunscreen.
• Do I need dive insurance? Usually yes; many travel policies exclude diving and recompression treatment.
• When should I make my last dive? At least 18 hours before flying after several days of diving.

Who writes these answers?

The answers follow published guidance from the training agencies and diving medicine organisations such as Divers Alert Network. They are general information only and never replace training from a certified instructor or advice from a doctor who understands diving medicine.