What is the minimum age that a kid can start diving?
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I agree, that is why I thought it necessary to work on her skills.
You missed my point. They are contraindictations to diving, but they are normal for children. Young children should not be diving. Their bodies are not ready.
You missed my point. They are contraindictations to diving, but they are normal for children. Young children should not be diving. Their bodies are not ready.
No actually I got that point. I should have just quoted "That could be either a lack of emotional maturity or simply a lack of training designed to reduce the likelyhood of panic."
I remember asking an instructor why it was that they wouldn't certify kids for Nitrox until they were 15, and he answered "they can't handle the maths". Well, my son can handle the maths... why should he get held back?
Heck, I am 47 and sometimes I can't handle the math.
For PADI atleast, the minimum age to get open water certified is 15 years of age, however PADI does offer junior diver courses for children I believe 10 and older.
For SSI I believe the minimum age is also 15, but it might be 14. SSI also offers junior course for children under that age.
CMAS, no longer around, but their requirement was 13 at one point, and they did not offer anything for children. This certification you could only get through the YMCA, but the YMCA no longer offers any scuba courses.
Always, always have them dive with an instructor or divemaster that really cares. One on one. I have seen way to many dads that were way to busy with their camera. And then by the time those kids are 12 they are excelent divers, because on every dive the will learn something, because thats just what caring instructors do.
For SSI I believe the minimum age is also 15, but it might be 14. SSI also offers junior course for children under that age.
There is no "junior" course in SSI, unless you count Scuba Rangers.
Children under 15 take the same course as adults. But to be certified as an adult, you must be 15 or older. The minimum age to enroll in the Open Water Diver course is 10. Children 10 to 14 recieve a "Jr. Open Water Diver" card.
Upon certification, SSI Standards state, children 10 and 11 must dive with a certified parent or guardian or instructor, to a depth not to exceed 40 feet. Children 12 to 14 must dive with a certified adult (it doesn't say age, so I assume 18 is the "adult" age) to a depth of no more than 60 feet.
15 and above are treated the same as an adult.
Last edited by GrandpaScuba; September 15th, 2009 at 02:03 PM.
Reason: add
PADIs minimum age for a junior open water cert is 10 years old.
"Most" ten year olds in my opinion don't grasp the information well & lack the attention span to absorb said information.
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Originally Posted by ggora
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