Loading ...unless things have changed since my last dive a few years ago…you cant Rent a tank of air without showing your dive card from a certifying agency like NAUI,PADI,or YMCA ..its proof that you have done trainingto get at LEAST “open WATER” certification. Thats the Minimum to get passage on a dive boat in the US…outside the US they do not have mandatory rules .Mexico ,Bahamas want your money so they do the minimum like a 1 hour crash coarse which is absurdly risky .and they know it but usually restrict you to maximun depth of 30 feet which is almost risk free from bends.The biggest risk there is busted ear drum if you havent been trained to clear your ears as you decend by various techniques like holding your nose and gently blowing to equalize the pressure every foot down .some can do it simply by stretching the Eustacian tube as I do by sticking your jaw forward and clicking your ears every foot down….its possible to bust an ear drum in 10 feet of water if the pressure is not equalized and it CANT be repared ! Equalizing the pressure is a must ! As I said, in the US YOU MUST SHOW A CARD FROM A CERTIFING AGENCY as proof of training…I have trained under both NAUI and PADI ….If I recall correctly you cant teach diving without obtaining a MASTER level or the highest level which is “Instructor” from one of the certifying agencies. It is NOT a teach yourself sport in the US…some people panic in two feet of water from anxiety and bolt for the surface risking drowning .You must learn to remove your mask underwater and replace it underwater clearing it by ex hailing through your nose ..Thats minimum training along with ear clearing before you can dive in the US…as it should be….
Snorkling with mask & fins is a good alternative for those sqeemish in the water about diving its also the best way to start out …also if I recall there is a minimum age of about 12 even when accompanied by an adult parent for diving…Snorkling can be fun at any age…it also gets you comfortable wearing a mask and fins ,its the best way to start out.