| Are you intending to become a professional | | | | years old are mandated by state laws to undergo |
| underwater diver? The splendor of aquatic life alone | | | | open water training before a Junior Open Water |
| is reason enough to desire a recreational diving | | | | (OW) Diver certification can be issued. The |
| career. Nonetheless if you are inclined to pursue the | | | | certification grants a maximum depth of 12 meters or |
| more functional aspects of deep sea diving, you can | | | | 40 feet but the junior diver should be accompanied |
| undergo training and get certified as a commercial | | | | by a certified adult diver during the dive. Junior divers |
| diver. Commercial diving would require related | | | | intending to extend their depth options to a |
| proficiencies such as a degree in nautical engineering | | | | maximum of 30 meters, dive at night or learn |
| or welding skills that are in demand with the inland | | | | specialization skills can obtain certification through an |
| diving industry. Other professional divers are engaged | | | | Advanced Open Water Program. |
| in search and rescue operations, scientific exploration, | | | | Prospective divers above 15 years old will be required |
| underwater photography or employed as dive | | | | to enroll in the regular Open Water Program. Being |
| masters. | | | | the entry-level certification for non-junior OW divers, |
| So just how do you get started? | | | | the introductory program entails intimate focus and |
| Like all professions, it would be best to get into diving | | | | dedication since this is considered as the foundation |
| at a young age. By initially pursuing leisure or | | | | of a diving career. An OW certification authorizes |
| recreational diving as a hobby, your combined | | | | divers to dive on their own at a maximum depth of |
| experience and training early on will become a solid | | | | 60 feet or 18 meters. Training can go rigid and be |
| springboard to advanced certification. Indeed, there | | | | completed in a week's time or move at a leisurely |
| are courses a budding diver needs to complete in | | | | pace over the course of a few weeks and even |
| order to obtain certification that is laddered to a | | | | months. Meanwhile, divemasters, dive cons and |
| higher level of diving expertise. Again, progressing to | | | | commercial divers are required to take additional |
| advanced levels would require the uptake of technical | | | | courses and are issued respective certification or |
| courses prior to the issuance of another certification. | | | | diving authorities thereafter. |
| Diving enthusiasts between the ages of 8 and 15 | | | | What you will need? |