This is because all dive op's in Murcia are bound by the national law of Spain regarding Scuba diving which concerns people below the age of 16. It is an offence to teach Scuba diving to anyone under the age of 16 in Murcia. This even includes in swimming pools. We are aware that other regions of Spain have lower age limits and we are also aware that the minimum age for a PADI entry level Scuba course as per PADI standards is 10 years of age. However as we said we are bound by the national law of Spain, anyone advertising or teaching entry level Scuba diving in Murcia to people aged under 16 years of age is doing so against the law and in violation of all PADI standards of teaching status and all insurance agreements.
So thats it, no under 16's can dive or take part in Scuba diving Courses or even Scuba dive in the pool?
Spanish law states that "no hyperbaric conditions" are permitted by under 16's. This even includes confined dives in a swimming pool even 1 metre of water in depth is classed as hyperbaric conditions. The PADI Discover Scuba along with Bubblemaker and Seal programmes cannot be taught even in swimming pools to under 16's.
PADI standards say that a "junior diver" is below the age of 15 at the age of 15 a PADI junior diver can upgrade to PADI "adult diver" status.
Yes your right, but we have to abide by Spanish law which in this case overwrites the age limit to being 16.
Any other Spanish laws we should know about.
Yes if your are aged 16 and over and wish to dive in Murcia you must provide a signed Medical statement from a practicing doctor declaring fitness to dive, you must also provide details of your insurance cover for diving and proof of certification. All PADI courses also require the signed fitness to dive statement. The doctors statement is valid for 1 year from date of issue.
How long does a PADI Scuba diving course take to complete?
A PADI course is performance and student based (not time based), but as an example the PADI Open Water course can take an absolute minimum of 3 days, some courses for experienced divers can be completed in as little as a day.
What do i get for my course fee?
Again this depends on the type of course that you take, however we can assure you that you will receive the necessary PADI Crew Pack (yours to keep), Boat fees, Dives, Air fills, Equipment, Training and PADI Certification fees all these things are included in your course fees, there are no hidden extras the price you see is the price that you pay for the complete course package.
How often do i have to update my PADI certification?
As a general rule "never" however a course such as Emergency First Response primary care (EFR) has to be renewed every two years. All we suggest for divers who maybe a bit rusty is to give us a call and we can put you through a Scuba review an ideal way to nudge your memory on things that you may have forgotten.
How safe is scuba diving?
The PADI system of scuba diving is very safe. PADI as a diving agency was formed in 1966 and over those last 43 years has become the model for almost all the other scuba diving agencies to base their structure on. The PADI system is is based on recreational scuba diving whereas we make scuba diving fun and stay well within safe limits. Its a fact based on statistical percentages that recreational scuba diving is safer than most other participant sports including football, tennis and even 10 pin bowling.
What are the depth restrictions regarding recreational scuba?
The depths listed below are PADI standards and may not apply to the diving in Murcia due to Spanish diving laws. Remember that diving beyond your certification could well void any insurance.
- Bubble Maker 2m
- Discover Scuba Diver 12m
- Scuba Diver 12m
- Junior Open Water Diver 12m (10 and 11 year old)
- Junior Open Water Diver 18m (12+ years)
- Open Water Diver 18m
- Junior Advanced Open Water Diver 21m
- Advanced Open Water Diver 30m (15+ years)
- Deep Diver Specialty 40m (15+ years)
Remember what you are reading below are PADI standards and Do not necessarily apply to Murcia Junior Open Water Diver (ages 10-14) Young people can take the full PADI Open Water Diver scuba certification course and upon completion will become Junior Open Water Divers with certain age limitations for scuba diving:
Junior Open Water Divers ages 10-11 years old must dive with a PADI Professional or certified parent/guardian. Dives must not exceed 12 metres /40 feet.
Junior Open Water Divers ages 12-14 years old must dive with a certified adult. (13+ years old can take the Open Water Diver course online.
PADI Junior Adventure Diver and PADI Junior Open Water DiverJunior Advanced Open Water Diver(ages 12-14)
Young people can continue the adventure and build their skills by taking the Advanced Open Water Diver course with a few limitations
Junior Open Water Divers ages 10-11 years must complete three adventure dives to become a Junior Adventure Diver. They must dive with a PADI Professional or certified parent/guardian. Dives must not exceed 12 metres/ 40 feet.
Junior Open Water Divers ages 12-14 years may complete three Adventure Dives to earn the Junior Adventure Diver rating or five Adventure Dives to earn the Junior Advanced Open Water rating They must dive with a certified adult.
What about danger from Sharks?
You would be amazed at how often we get asked this question and we always give out the same answer. Sharks have more reason to be scared of us than we are of them. If you should happen upon a shark while diving in Mazarron then it would more than likely be a Basking Shark unless your as small as plankton then you've nothing to fear just savour the moment, be thankful that for a short period in your life that you have been close to such a beautiful creature.The risk of Shark attack is minimal combined dives for our instructors in the bay of Mazarron number well over 1500 and we have never come across a Shark and sadly we dont think we ever will.
Subaquamundo support both Project A.W.A.R.E and the Shark and Marine Conservation group Bite-Back and you can help too by signing an online petition and by letting other people know how to help bring Sharks back from the edge of extinction. In the first 5 months of 2009 38 million Sharks around the world were killed un-necessarily.