Start Diving

Getting started with diving

The way to a diving licence for children and adults

The very first step towards a diving licence is a medical examination by a diver's doctor to determine fitness for diving. Only then can the training to become a scuba diver be started.

There are several training organisations. The best known are the VDST (Verband deutscher Sport Taucher), CMAS, PADI, SSI or NAUI. All these associations offer courses for beginners, advanced to instructor level. The individual courses are based on each other. With each higher or more specialised certification, divers acquire more knowledge and practise different situations in practice.

Children from the age of 8 can take their first fin strokes under water. For children there are special safety rules, they are only allowed to dive with an adult and special limits apply to the depth of the dives. If a child is healthy and curious, there is nothing to be said against diving with children.

What makes diving so special

Communicating nature and environmental protection
The more people experience the underwater world, the more important it becomes for them to preserve this unique ecosystem. Divers are ambassadors of the underwater world, they report on this paradise and see with their own eyes how important the protection of the oceans is.

Developing self-confidence
Jumping into the seas with a breathing apparatus on your back requires a certain amount of courage. This experience of finding one's way in the underwater world allows confidence in one's own abilities to grow.

Taking responsibility
You are rarely alone under water. Normally you dive in teams of two divers, the so-called buddy team. Or even in a larger group. In an emergency or or simply when something doesn't fit, you help each other. You take on a certain responsibility for your fellow divers.

Becoming part of the community
Divers are usually sociable, well-travelled and very open to new things. You quickly become friends with other divers on diving trips and make friends for life.

Travelling the world
The most beautiful dive sites are located in fantastic places. Whether Maldives, Indonesia, Egypt or Croatia. All these places are not beautiful under water. If you want to dive here, you should also look above the water's surface.

Diving into another world
If you go underground, you are literally immersed in another world. Turtles slowly pass by colourful reefs, a shark curiously eyes the divers. Nothing is like the world above on land. Down here you can leave everyday life completely behind.

The Diving Licences & Badges

Each of the diving associations has its own diving schools and diving clubs. Since the associations accept their licences (brevets) among themselves, you can also do different certificates with different associations. The names differ from association to association, but the contents are almost identical.

	VDST	CMAS	PADI	SSI	NAUI
Introduction programmes	GDL Pool Diver	-	Bubblemaker	Try Scuba	NAUI Skin Diver
Supervised Diver	GDL Basic Diver (DTSA Basic)	-	PADI Scuba Diver	SSI Scuba Diver	NAUI Passport Diver
Beginner/Autonomous Diver	GDL * Sports Diver (DTSA *)	CMAS * Diver	PADI Open Water Diver (OWD)	SSI Open Water Diver (OWD)	NAUI Scuba Dover
Advanced Diver	GDL * Sports Diver (DTSA *)	CMAS * Diver	PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD)	SSI Advanced Adventurer	NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver (ASD)
Rescue Diver	GDL Advanced Sports Diver (DTSA )	Training level of the previous level (e.g. CMAS*, SSI OWD etc.) and additionally: GDL Navigation Diver or similar + GDL Dive Group Leader or similar + GDL CPR + at least 25 dives, including at least 10 at a depth of 15-25 metres
Rescue Diver	GDL Advanced Sports Diver (DTSA )	CMAS ** Diver	PADI Rescue Diver (RD)	SSI Advanced Open Water Diver	NAUI Master Scuba Diver
Guide	GDL * Dive Leader (DTSA *)	Training level of the previous level (e.g. CMAS**, Rescue Diver etc.) and additionally: GDL Safety & Rescue Diver or similar + GDL Night Diver or similar or GDL Self Rescue Diver or similar + min. 65 dives, thereof min. 10 at 30-40 metres depth Recommended: GDL Dry Suit Diver, GDL Seawater Drift Diver, GDL Wreck Diver, GDL Ice Diver and GDL Cavern Diver.
Guide	GDL * Dive Leader (DTSA *)	CMAS *** Diver	PADI Divemaster (DM)	Dive Guide with Speciality "Science of Diving", SSI Divemaster	NAUI Divemaster (DM)
Dive Instructor	GDL * Instructor	CMAS * Dive Instructor	PADI Open Water Instructor (OWI)	SSI Open Water Instructor (OWI)	NAUI Instructor

Find more information on advanced and special courses at our partner VDST.

VDST Website

Questions and answers about the sport of diving

What is the diving medical examination?

The doctor tests the lung function, does an ECG and examines the ears. In addition there are general health questions. The diving fitness certificate is handed out to the diver and is required for all courses and dives with dive centres worldwide.

From what age can one learn to dive?

Children can dive from the age of 8 under certain conditions. The minimum age for the first junior diving licence is 10 to 12 years, depending on the training organisation. Young adults from 14 to 16 years can start with diving courses such as the Open Water Diver or GDL** Advanced Sports Diver.

Where can I do the diving licence?

At home and abroad, every dive centre or dive shop offers the training. You can also do the theory online and then do the practice on holiday.

How long does the training take?

The courses differ significantly in length. The extensive courses like Open Water and Advanced Open Water can be done intensively in 3-4 days or extended to a week on holiday. Special courses or taster courses can sometimes be done in one day.

How do the individual training levels differ?

Introductory or beginner courses enable you to dive under the supervision of a diving instructor. You can also start directly with the courses that train you to become an independent diver. These last longer and are much more intensive. In addition, individual training levels are subject to different depth limits

What do you learn in the training?

The training includes a theoretical part and a practical part. In theory, the student learns interesting facts about diving, equipment and the underwater world. In addition physics and diving medicine. Afterwards, the practical part takes place in the pool and in open water.

How do the individual training organisations differ?

Basically, all organizations have the goal to train divers well and safely. All of them follow the general standards and rules in diving in their training programs, even if they sometimes differ in the content of their courses. All brevets are recognized worldwide.

What does a diving licence cost?

If you want to be on the safe side, you should calculate with 400-500 euros per course, such as the Open Water Diver.

What certificates do I need?

Every diver should take the courses that suit his or her goals, interests and abilities. If you want to do independent and deeper dives, you should do the Advanced Open Water or equivalent.

What equipment do I need to dive?

Basic equipment includes a mask, snorkel, regulator, tank, suit, dive computer and fins. You can borrow this equipment during your training. If you want to dive a lot later and would like to have your own equipment, you can buy it in a specialised shop.