SCUBA.COM.SGScuba diving courses
Course names differ slightly between agencies, but the path is the same: try it, get certified, build experience, then go professional if you want to.
| Course | Level | Typical minimum age | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Try dive | First experience | 10 | A supervised first breath underwater, usually in a pool or calm shallow water. No certification, no prior experience needed. |
| Open Water | Entry level | 10 | The first full scuba certification. Theory, pool sessions and four open-water dives, qualifying you to dive to about 18 m with a buddy. |
| Advanced Open Water | Continuing education | 12 | Five adventure-style dives, typically including deep and navigation, extending your limit to about 30 m. |
| Rescue Diver | Continuing education | 12 | Problem prevention, self-rescue and assisting other divers. Usually requires a current first aid and CPR course. |
| Nitrox (enriched air) | Continuing education | 12 | Diving with oxygen-enriched air for longer no-decompression times on recreational dives. |
| Speciality courses | Continuing education | 10 | Focused skills such as deep, wreck, night, navigation, buoyancy and underwater photography. |
| Divemaster | Professional | 18 | The first professional level: guiding certified divers and assisting instructors. |
| Instructor | Professional | 18 | Instructor development and evaluation, qualifying you to teach and certify divers. |
| Technical diving | Technical | 18 | Training beyond recreational limits: decompression, gas switching, sidemount and trimix. |
| Freediving courses | Freediving | 12 | Breath-hold courses covering relaxation, equalisation, safety and depth or pool disciplines. |
| Kids programmes | Children | 8 | Pool-based scuba experiences designed for children, with age-specific depth limits. |
Minimum ages and depth limits vary by agency and course. Confirm the current standards with the centre before booking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first scuba course I should take?
Most people start with a try dive to see if they enjoy it, then take an Open Water course, which is the first full certification.
How deep can I dive after Open Water?
Open Water divers are typically trained to dive to about 18 metres. Advanced Open Water extends this to around 30 metres.
Do I need to be fit to learn scuba diving?
You need reasonable fitness and basic swimming ability. Before training you will complete a medical questionnaire, and some conditions require a doctor's sign-off.
Is a Nitrox course worth it?
For divers who do several dives a day, as on dive trips and liveaboards, enriched air can extend no-decompression time. It is one of the most popular continuing courses.