Take this free quiz and discover in under two minutes what kind of diving experience could suit you.
Breathing underwater can feel incredible, exciting or even a little intimidating. Answer a few questions and find out whether scuba diving could be a great experience for you.
Many people can try scuba diving with no prior experience, as long as they meet age, health and basic comfort-in-water requirements. A supervised first dive (such as Discover Scuba Diving or a try dive) is designed for beginners: the instructor explains the gear, practises with you and stays with you the whole time. The goal of this quiz is not to decide for you, but to guide you on the kind of experience that might fit your attitude and your doubts.
You don’t need to be an expert swimmer for an introductory experience. What matters is feeling reasonably comfortable in the water and being able to follow the instructor’s directions. Many centres — including a good instructor team — work every day with people who don’t swim perfectly and adapt the pace to each participant. If you have doubts about your swimming, mention it in advance: it’s better to clarify early so the experience can be organised more calmly.
Yes. Nerves — and even intense fear — before the first dive are very common. A Discover Scuba Diving helps with exactly that: instructions before entering the water, basic skills to build confidence, then a dive with direct supervision. At our PADI school we do this with a maximum of 3 people per instructor. You can stop the experience at any time if you don’t feel comfortable; that is part of responsible practice, not a failure.
On a Discover Scuba Diving (try dive) under PADI standards, the process usually looks like this. At Cidade Velha Diving we do it with a maximum of 3 people per instructor and direct supervision at all times:
In general, heart, respiratory or neurological conditions, recent surgeries, pregnancy and certain medications may require a medical assessment before diving. This is not an absolute ban list or a diagnosis: the official medical questionnaire and, when needed, written clearance from a physician are the documents that guide the decision.
It depends on the answers on the programme’s official medical questionnaire (for example, PADI standards). If any answer triggers a review, the participant needs written clearance from a physician before in-water activities. Completing an indicative quiz on this page does not replace that form or that assessment.
Done with professional training, direct supervision and recognised standards (such as PADI), a Discover Scuba Diving is a very safe activity. Even so, diving is never completely risk-free. Safety depends on several factors:
The minimum age depends on the programme. For Discover Scuba Diving in open water, the minimum age in PADI standards is 10 years. Minors need parental or guardian consent and are subject to specific limits and ratios set by the training organisation and the centre.
Before booking, it’s worth checking:
Santiago offers a dive experience that isn’t overcrowded, with volcanic formations, anchors, caves, historic wrecks and a wide variety of marine life. Depending on the season and conditions, it’s common to see tropical fish, groupers, moray eels and nudibranchs; sometimes also rays or turtles. If you’re visiting Cidade Velha or Praia and want to do a first dive, Cidade Velha Diving can help you organise the experience at your pace.
Not automatically. Many people can try it if they meet age, health and basic comfort-in-water requirements, but each case is assessed with the official medical questionnaire and, when needed, with a doctor.
No. Introductory programmes are designed for people with no experience. The instructor guides you at every step.
For a try dive you don’t need to be an expert swimmer, but you should feel reasonably comfortable in the water. Mention it to the centre before booking.
It’s common. On a Discover Scuba Diving there are first instructions on land and basic skills so you feel safe before the dive. Tell the instructor: you can practise more, slow the pace or leave the water. At our PADI school there is direct supervision and a maximum of 3 people per instructor.
Yes. You can stop if you don’t feel comfortable. Safety and your wellbeing come first.
It depends on your answers on the official medical questionnaire. If any answer requires review, you’ll need written clearance from a physician before in-water activities.
There is no simple absolute list published that way in PADI standards. Certain conditions or form answers require evaluation and written medical clearance. An online quiz cannot decide that.
It depends on the medication and your health. Note it on the official questionnaire and, if appropriate, consult a doctor before diving.
Scuba diving is not recommended during pregnancy. Always consult a healthcare professional and the dive centre.
It depends on the programme. For Discover Scuba Diving in open water, PADI standards indicate 10 years as the minimum age, with parental or guardian consent and specific limits.
A Discover Scuba Diving usually takes several hours in total: instructions before the water, basic skills so you feel safe, and the supervised dive. The underwater part is shorter and adapted to your pace and the conditions.
A try dive or Discover Scuba Diving is a supervised introductory experience (at our PADI school, maximum 3 people per instructor). Open Water Diver is a certification course that trains you to dive independently within the limits of your level, with more theory and training dives.
Many people dive with glasses or contact lenses; prescription masks or equivalent solutions are often used. Ask the centre what options they have.
Beginners do not dive alone: the first dive is done with an instructor. Certified divers must also follow the centre’s rules and good practice (usually diving with a buddy).
On Santiago island you can organise it with professional centres such as Cidade Velha Diving, in Cidade Velha, near Praia. Always choose a centre with recognised training, well-maintained equipment and clarity about medical requirements.
Ready to find out if scuba diving is for you?
Take the quizThis quiz offers general information and does not replace an instructor’s assessment, the official medical questionnaire or advice from a healthcare professional. Results do not guarantee that a person is fit to dive. Each activity must be organised according to local conditions, age, experience and the participant’s health.