Here you will find frequently asked questions about diving and dive courses. If you have any questions that are not listed here you can always email us.
How can I get to the dive centre?
What does a dive course consist of?
How many days does it take to obtain a certification?
How old do you have to be to get a diving licence?
Are there any special rules or considerations to join a dive course?
My ears often hurt when I dive to the bottom of the pool. Does that mean I cannot dive?
Can medical conditions such as ear problems, diabetes, asthma, allergies or smoking possibly prevent you from diving?
How deep are you allowed to go in a dive course?
What happens if I run out of air underwater?
What is in a diving tank?
How many minutes can you stay underwater with a cylinder?
In movies and on TV you always see divers near sharks, rays and moray eels. Do I have to worry about certain animals underwater?
Is diving a dangerous sport?
Diving sounds exciting and I’m not sure if it’s for me. Can I try it out without signing up for a course right away?
How can I get to the dive centre?
The dive centre is located at Playa Chica. We pick up our divers and family/friends for free from their hotel or villa in Puerto del Carmen.
What does a dive course consist of?
Almost all courses for learning to dive consist of three parts:
One part is the theoretical knowledge – to learn on-line with eLearning.
Sheltered water diving – learning diving skills in the pool or shallow part of the sea.
Outdoor diving in the sea
How many days does it take to obtain a dive licence?
It is possible to complete the complete beginner’s course – Open Water Diver course – in just three to four days. Or start with Scuba Diver and get your first certification in 2 days. You do the course at your own pace – faster or slower depending on the time you need to become a confident diver. We can plan your course flexibly.
How old do you have to be to get your certification?
To do a dive course you must be at least 10 years old. You will then be certified as a Junior Open Water Diver. Ten- and 11-year old Junior Open Water Divers always dive with a certified parent, guardian or professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters. For 12 to 14 year olds they always dive with a certified adult. From the age of 15 the Junior certification will be replaced by the regular Open Water Diver certification.
Are there any special rules or considerations to participate in a dive course?
No. In general, anyone who is 10 years of age or older and in good general health can participate in a dive course. However, you do have to fill in a medical questionnaire. If you can answer all questions with NO, sign the form and you can start. If you have a YES you need to see a doctor to be sure. He or she will assess your health with regard to diving and if everything is in order he or she will sign the form and confirm that you are fit to dive. You also need to be able to swim to start a dive course.
My ears sometimes hurt when I dive to the bottom of the pool. Does that mean that I cannot go diving?
No, if we assume for a moment that you have no abnormalities in your ears and sinuses. The discomfort in your ears is completely normal and is due to the pressure under water. Fortunately, our body is designed to adapt to pressure on your ears – you just have to learn how to do that. During your course you will learn this technique.
Can medical conditions such as ear problems, diabetes, asthma, allergies or smoking possibly prevent you from diving?
You don’t have to. A medical condition that affects the ears, sinuses, respiratory or heart function or your consciousness is a cause for concern. However, only a doctor can determine the possible risk per person. Before you start the course, you must first complete a medical questionnaire. Download Medical statement
How deep do you dive?
With the necessary training and experience you can dive to a depth of up to 40 metres as a recreational diver. Novice divers stay shallower up to about 18 metres. There are also depth limits for 10 and 11 year old divers.
What happens if I run out of air underwater?
It is unlikely to happen because you have a pressure gauge that indicates exactly how much air you have left at any time. If you do run out of air, your buddy will have a spare regulator with which you can make a safe ascent together. There are also other possibilities and you will learn them all during your course.
What is in a diving tank?
Most recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. Just like the air you normally breathe, the air in a cylinder is only filtered and dried to remove impurities and moisture.
How many minutes can you stay underwater with a tank?
This is not the same for everyone because not everyone breathes at the same speed and because you consume more air at depth. Lung volume and exertion also affect your air consumption. That is why divers have a pressure gauge that indicates exactly how much air is in their diving tank. In general, divers can spend about an hour in calm and warm water at a depth of 5-10 metres with a normal diving tank.
In movies you always see divers near sharks, rays and moray eels. Should I worry about certain animals that are dangerous?
Most underwater animals are shy and prefer to swim away from people. Some animals can bite or sting but you can prevent that by not touching them. Divers are not natural prey for sharks. Shark attacks are therefore rare.
Is diving a dangerous sport?
No, there are potential dangers, but if you have the right training and stick to the rules, diving is a safe sport.
Diving sounds exciting and I’m not sure if it’s for me. Can I try it out without signing up for a complete course right away?
Yes you can. The try dive gives you the opportunity to make a shallow dive together with one of our instructors. This program takes 2 hours.