In the following article we will review all the diving requirements needed to enjoy this sport with all the safety guarantees. Do you want to try diving? Are you thinking of getting certified? Do you want to discover the underwater world? Perfect! You will only have to submit for consideration if you meet the following diving requirements. Let’s see them! This is what you need to know to prepare for your certification.
Diving requirements, am I physically fit?
You are never too young or too old to become a diver. In fact, there is only one diving requirement relative to age. You can start diving from the age of 8 and there is no maximum age.
What there is is a health related diving requirement. Contrary to what many people believe, diving is not a sport that requires great physical effort. However, before you become one of us, you will have to answer a medical health questionnaire. Don’t worry, this is not a demanding health exam. However, it is necessary to make sure that your body is in a sufficient state of health to withstand the pressure it will be subjected to underwater.
Having a collapsed lung, allergies or severe asthma, having heart problems or having diseases that affect your ears and do not allow you to compensate, may be some physical conditions that prevent you from diving. If you have doubts, go to a hyperbaric medicine doctor, he will help you.
There are no diving requirements that prevent you from diving if you have a disability. On the contrary, diving is a highly recommended practice in some cases. The diver feels light in the water and can move easily. When necessary, adaptive diving uses specially developed equipment. For example, there are palm gloves for divers who cannot move their fins to move forward.
Diving requirements, feeling at ease in the water
Many people wonder if knowing how to swim is one of the requirements of diving. You don’t have to be an Olympic swimmer, but you do have to move comfortably in the water.
To be able to be a diver you have to pass a series of underwater tests and you have to be confident enough not to panic. Diving is a wonderful experience that can change your life, but first, make sure you enjoy it.
First, you will learn the theory, then you will acquire the basic skills in the pool and finally, you will be able to dive in the ocean and enjoy the beauty that lies at the bottom of the sea.
Diving requirements, knowledge and equipment
To be a diver you must acquire a series of theoretical and practical knowledge. These are indispensable diving requirements. In fact, the diving requirements increase as you go through the levels. The first level is the certification to be an autonomous diver.
Of course, the equipment is an unavoidable diving requirement, but, generally, you will be able to rent it for your first dives. As you become an experienced diver, you will want to acquire your own equipment and adapt it to you, but that is a subject that gives for another post.
Diving requirements, what to eat before a dive and other care
When the human body is immersed in water it has to adapt to the environment and make some adjustments. For example, diuresis increases, which means that we lose more fluids than on the surface. Therefore, staying hydrated is one of the requirements of diving that you must take into account. Proper hydration decreases the risk of decompression.
Water is the most recommended drink for this purpose. Carbonated drinks produce gases, while tea and coffee are diuretics, which increase dehydration. Other drinks, such as milk or smoothies need digestion, therefore, their consumption is not recommended just before a dive either.
As most of the immersions are made first thing in the morning, another requirement of diving to consider is to have slept well the previous night. Follow our advice and don’t go out late at night the night before your dive. However, have breakfast and do it well.
Of the most important diving requirements, having the necessary energy is the most important. Jumping into the water with a simple coffee can put you at risk of hypoglycemia. For that reason, eat, do it in a measured way (little abundant) and do it at least one hour before submerging. Carbohydrates should represent 60% of your food (bread, cereals, potatoes), you can add fruit and proteins, such as those from eggs.
