The Scuba Diver course is a subset of the Open water course. If you’re short on time but really want to become a diver, the Scuba Diver rating might be right for you   ̶ particularly if you expect to go scuba diving primarily with a dive guide. This course is an intermediate step for earning an Open Water Diver certification, if that’s your ultimate goal.  To enroll in a Scuba Diver course (or Junior Scuba Diver course), you must be 10 years old or older. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with scuba diving is required, but you can try it first through the Try Scuba program.