Is fear of an accident or confusion about the many certifications still stopping you from fully enjoying the wonders of the ocean? This complete guide to scuba diving will make your approach safer by breaking down each step, from your first try dive to full technical mastery and autonomy. Learn how to select your equipment, understand physiological risks, and take out the right insurance so that every dive becomes a fully controlled experience.
First steps underwater: from try dive to certification
The try dive: an unforgettable first breath of bubbles
A try dive is pure initiation, always carried out under the direct supervision of an instructor. We forget about technical performance here, because only the pleasure of discovery really matters. You are there to observe, not to act.
The instructor handles all of your equipment, you only need to kick gently. Depth remains very shallow, often between 2 and 6 metres maximum.
It is the ultimate test to see if this aquatic sport really suits you. Before aiming for technique, it is a unique sensory experience. That strange feeling of breathing underwater for the first time is something you never forget.
From discovery to training: why take your first level
If the try dive has given you a taste for salt water, certification unlocks real exploration. Taking a first level is the logical next step for those who want to see further.
Level 1, or PE-20, allows you to go down to 20 metres under supervision. It is during this practical course that you learn the vital reflexes of diving safety.
Having your own certification card radically changes things underwater. You are no longer just a bag of lead being dragged around, but an aware participant. Your confidence underwater immediately shoots up.
Prerequisites: are you fit for immersion?
Let us talk about age: the minimum is generally 14 years for Level 1, sometimes 12 under strict conditions. This varies according to federations and countries. Beyond the numbers, maturity and the ability to understand instructions are what really matter.
Physically, you do not need to be an Olympic athlete to start. Generally good health is more than enough. Being able to swim is obviously a basic requirement before putting on scuba gear.
The medical certificate is a non-negotiable step to validate your registration with a club. Some conditions, such as severe asthma, require the opinion of a specialist. That can complicate access to what is sometimes classified among high-risk sports, so do not skip this check-up.
Equipping yourself like a pro: essential scuba gear
Now that you feel like it and the prerequisites are clear, let us talk concrete. Equipment is your lifeline in scuba diving. You need to understand it, not just wear it.
The “PMT”: the basics for seeing and breathing at the surface
We start with the PMT: fins, mask, snorkel. It is the basic kit for any exploratory water sport. Your mask must fit your face like a second skin to stay perfectly watertight. If water seeps in, the magic of the view disappears instantly.
For fins, do not try to play the hero with models that are too stiff. You will simply end up with a terrible calf cramp if your legs cannot keep up. The snorkel is mainly used to save your precious air at the surface before submerging.
The heart of the system: tank, regulator and buoyancy control device
The tank is your survival reservoir underwater. Contrary to a persistent myth, it contains compressed air and not pure oxygen. Breathing pure oxygen at these pressures would be toxic for your body.
Then the regulator transforms this high pressure into breathable air. It is precision mechanics that delivers air on demand, exactly when you need it. We always add an octopus, that second yellow mouthpiece, to help a buddy who is out of air.
The buoyancy control device, or BCD, acts like a technical back-mounted float. You inflate it to float at the surface or vent it to descend towards the bottom.
To see things clearly, here is how experts classify scuba equipment:
- Basic gear (fins, mask, snorkel, wetsuit)
- Breathing and safety gear (tank, regulator, BCD, weights)
- Control and support gear (dive computer, compass, surface marker buoy)
Control instruments: your underwater dashboard
The pressure gauge is your vital fuel gauge. It tells you exactly how many bars you have left in the tank. Checking it every five minutes must become a reflex. Running out of air on the bottom is not an option.
The depth gauge indicates your depth, but the dive computer has replaced it. This small device on your wrist manages your decompression and has become the absolute standard.
Finally, do not overlook the compass for orientation. Even if you are following a guide, knowing where you are guarantees a degree of autonomy. It is the difference between a simple tourist and a real diver.
Progressing with confidence: dive levels explained
Having the right equipment is good. Knowing how far you can go with it is better. Certification levels are not just badges, they define your playground and your responsibilities.
Level 1 (PE-20): the gateway to guided exploration
The French Sports Code defines Level 1 as the real starting point of scuba diving after a try dive. This certification validates the PE-20 qualification, allowing you to dive down to 20 metres.
At this stage, you always remain under the direct responsibility of a dive leader who manages safety.
It is similar to the Open Water Diver certification of the PADI system, recognised worldwide. The goal is the same: acquire the technical skills to dive safely while being supervised.
Level 2: the step towards autonomy and deeper dives
Level 2 represents a major double technical competence. It is no longer just about following, but about opening the door to real autonomy underwater.
Your scope expands: you can dive autonomously (PA) down to 20 metres with other Level 2 divers, and descend under supervision (PE) down to 40 metres.
This freedom comes with a serious responsibility: knowing how to navigate, manage your air and react to unexpected events. That is why the legal age of 18 is strictly required to validate full autonomy.
Levels 3 and 4: towards expertise and leading others
Level 3 is considered the highest grade for a “recreational” diver. It allows full autonomy down to 60 metres (PA-60), the limit for air diving.
Level 4 marks a turning point: it is no longer a recreational level, but the first leadership step. A Level 4 becomes a dive leader for others.
| Level | Main qualification | Maximum depth (supervised) | Maximum depth (autonomous) | Minimum indicative age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Supervised diver (PE-20) | 20 m | Not applicable (or 12 m with PA-12 option) | 14 years |
| Level 2 | Autonomous (PA-20) and supervised (PE-40) | 40 m | 20 m | 16 years (18 for full autonomy) |
| Level 3 | Autonomous diver (PA-60) | 60 m (if allowed) | 60 m (if allowed) | 18 years |
| Level 4 | Dive leader (GP) | Leads groups to 40 m | N/A (leader) | 18 years |
Safety first: golden rules of a responsible diver
Levels and equipment set the framework, but real safety in diving is based on behaviour. There are non-negotiable rules, and the first is that you do not mess around with the ocean.
The central role of the dive director
The dive director (DP) is not there just for show. They are the legal and technical manager of the activity at a given site. They are the one who gives the green light. In short, they validate your ticket to the big blue.
Do not even try to negotiate their instructions. Their decisions are not up for discussion. They may impose a refresher dive or cancel an outing due to weather or safety reasons. Their judgement always prevails.
Communicating underwater: hand signals you must know by heart
Forget long speeches. Talking is impossible once submerged. Hand signals are therefore the only language. Your hands become your only tool to pass on vital information.
You must master the survival vocabulary: “OK”, “not OK”, “out of air”, “turn back”, “look”. A single misunderstood gesture can change the whole experience.
The most famous is still the “OK?” sign (thumb and index finger forming a circle). It is both a question and an answer. You must use it and respond to it constantly during the dive with your buddy.
Preparing the dive team: never leave anything to chance
You never dive alone. That is the basic rule of scuba diving. Explaining the buddy system is simple: each diver’s safety depends on the other, and vice versa. This solidarity is non-negotiable.
Before jumping in, the pre-dive briefing sets the rules. It defines the objectives, maximum depth, dive time and procedure in case of separation from your buddy.
The cross-check before entering the water allows no approximation:
- Buoyancy: check inflator and dump valves are working.
- Weights: make sure the weight system is secure and can be released.
- Releases: check all straps and buckles are closed.
- Air: open the tank, check pressure and breathe from the regulator.
- Final: last visual check of your buddy’s gear.
Managing depth and time: the key to incident-free diving
We have set the safety basics. Now let us tackle the more technical side, which often scares beginners but is simple when you follow the rules: managing pressure and time.
The dive computer: your best friend underwater
Forget risky mental calculations. This piece of equipment has become your modern life insurance. This small device on your wrist calculates in real time how saturated your tissues are with nitrogen. It is technology serving your immediate safety.
The screen shows current depth, dive time, water temperature and one vital piece of information: the no-decompression limit remaining before entering the risk zone.
But owning this tool is not enough, you must know how to read its audible and visual alarms. It is not a gadget for show. It is literally a survival instrument.
Understanding decompression stops (and how to avoid them)
Many beginners fear this technical term, but the physics behind it is straightforward. Under pressure, your body absorbs nitrogen that must be released gradually. Decompression stops are simply mandatory pauses during ascent to eliminate this gas safely.
In recreational scuba diving, the aim is generally to stay within the “no-decompression limits”. That means surfacing before your body has taken on too much nitrogen. Most tourist dives fit within this reassuring framework.
Your computer manages this constantly for you. It shows a precise countdown before you enter the red zone of mandatory stops. The goal is simple: always stay in the green to ascend calmly.
The ascent: a critical phase to master
Here is a golden rule ignored by too many beginners in a hurry to reach the surface. Never ascend faster than your smallest bubbles. Modern computers usually set this vital limit at around 9 to 10 metres per minute.
Even without any technical requirement, a “safety stop” of three minutes is systematically carried out. You stop between 3 and 6 metres before breaking the surface. It is an extra margin to prevent silly decompression accidents at the end of a dive.
The surface marker buoy: more than an accessory, an obligation
The surface marker buoy (SMB) is that long coloured tube, often orange or red. You deploy it from the bottom to mark your position at the surface. It is your only way to be seen before you come up.
Its use goes beyond simple signalling, it is a matter of life and death. It warns nearby boats not to pass over you. It also allows your dive boat to track you if the current carries you away.
Beyond the dive: insurance, health and logistics
The dive is over, everything went well. But the adventure does not end when you get out of the water. There are administrative and logistical aspects that are just as important to keep diving a pleasure.
Dive insurance: essential protection
You think you are covered by your bank card? Wrong. Dive insurance is not optional. Standard insurance policies rarely cover dive-specific accidents. Yet a session in a hyperbaric chamber or a search at sea costs a fortune.
Your federation licence often includes basic third-party liability. That is fine, but insufficient for your own injuries. To cover medical expenses or disability, you need additional individual insurance. Do not skimp on this. It is vital for a high-risk sport like ours.
The medical certificate: mandatory for your safety
The CACI (certificate of absence of contraindication to diving) is strictly compulsory in France. This medical certificate is essential to obtain a licence or validate a level. It is generally valid for one year. Never forget it before going to the club.
Some profiles require more than a simple visit to a GP. The opinion of a federal or specialist doctor becomes necessary in certain cases. Take, for example, the complex link between asthma and sport. Underwater pressure brings very specific risks. Do not play guessing games with your health.
Diving and flying: no-fly rules to follow strictly
Flying after a dive is a real physiological risk. The drop in cabin pressure is a serious issue. If your body still contains too much residual nitrogen, bubbles will expand.
Follow these general recommendations to the letter. They are not optional suggestions. Ignoring them puts you at direct risk of severe decompression sickness.
Here are the strict intervals established by DAN (Divers Alert Network) to avoid the worst:
- After a single no-decompression dive: minimum surface interval of 12 hours
- After multiple dives in one day or multiple days of diving: minimum surface interval of 18 hours
- After dives with mandatory decompression stops: a surface interval of more than 24 hours is strongly recommended
Choosing your playground: dive sites and their challenges
Once you have mastered the rules and equipment, the world opens up. Scuba diving is above all about exploration. But not all seabeds are the same.
Coral reefs, wrecks, drop-offs: each site has its own atmosphere
Coral reefs are still the number one choice for a gentle start. You will find rich marine life and bright colours at shallow depth. It is ideal for observing wildlife without stress. Light is often perfect there.
Wrecks offer a radically different atmosphere, steeped in history and mystery. Exploring these metal structures often requires more advanced technique to avoid accidents.
Drop-offs, those vertical walls plunging into the depths, can be dizzying. They often attract large pelagic predators such as sharks. It is impressive, but your buoyancy control must be flawless.
Adapting your dive to the site: current, visibility and depth
Never underestimate the impact of conditions on a site’s real difficulty. A strong current can turn a relaxed dive into a real physical challenge. You need to know how to fin efficiently to avoid exhaustion. Sometimes, the current dictates everything.
Visibility also plays a major role in your safety underwater. In murky water, navigation quickly becomes tricky and requires constant vigilance.
Finally, always respect the depth limits of your dive team. The dive must match the certification level of the least experienced diver in the group. No one gets left behind.
Planning a sports trip around diving
Scuba diving alone is a good enough reason to cross the globe to discover outstanding underwater worlds. Destinations like Indonesia or Egypt offer unforgettable sights. For many divers, that is the whole point of the trip.
But why limit yourself to immersion only? You can alternate underwater exploration with land-based discoveries to enrich your holiday. That allows you to organise a truly active, balanced sports trip. It is the best way to make the most of your time away.
Exploring the seabed is a magical experience that demands rigour and humility. From choosing equipment to respecting safety stops, safety remains the top priority for every diver. Once you are well prepared and insured, all that is left is to enjoy the blue silence.
