The PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience offers an easy and immediate introduction to scuba. After an initial briefing about safety and equipment, the dives can be conducted in a swimming pool, in confined water or an open water environment and there are no limits the number of times beginners can participate in this diving activity. However, because it is aimed at participants with no previous diving experience, there are some limitations to the Discover Scuba Diving program.

Limitation 1: Age limits for participants
Although children of younger age can try scuba diving with other related PADI programs for kids, the minimum age for a participant to take part in the DSD Program is ten years old. There is no upper age limit to this activity.

Limitation 2: Depth limits for participants
The first section of this scuba experience, including the scuba skills introduction, should take place in shallow water and the student should be able to stand up. Following this, there are two maximum depth limits for DSD divers depending on the PADI rating of the professional who is conducting the program. PADI Instructors may conduct the optional Open Water portion to a maximum depth of twelve meters (40 feet) whereas a PADI Divemaster with the DSD Leader rating may conduct the program in confined water only and to a maximum depth of six meters (20 feet).

Limitation 3: Equipment requirements for participants
Student divers who are taking part in the discover scuba program should be equipped with at least the following dive gear; Mask, Fins, Scuba Cylinder, Buoyancy Control Device, Regulator and Submersible Pressure Gauge.

Limitation 4: Discover Scuba Diving Program Limitations for participants
Assuming that you tried scuba diving through this highly supervised & quick and easy introduction, you should be itching to do more diving and see more of the underwater world. The limitations of this activity mean that you should always dive with a PADI professional on any future diving programs and this 'try dive' does NOT result in a diving certification or license to do so. However, the good news is that your instructor may be able to credit any or all of the underwater scuba skills that you practiced towards either of the two PADI Scuba Certifications, the one day course Scuba Diver and the full diving license Open Water Diver, which could save you both time and money.

Please Note: This information is meant as a guide for scuba divers and does not replace proper training and a Dive License