diving with kids ...

[freewillie]

Just got back from a day trip to Catalina with my 13 year old daughter. We hired a DM since this is her first dive since certification in the tropics. She put on a wetsuit for the first time. I confirmed several times that they had gear for her and was reassured that they routinely outfit kids and had scuba gear in smaller sizes. The wetsuit was not a problem, we found one that fit really well. Unfortunately the hood was too big, she kept having problems with her mask flooding, there wasn't a pair of gloves small enough for her, and the fins they provided were full foot fins and didn't have pair booties for her.

We then suited up at Casino Point, had our dive briefing, and got in the water. I was really glad to have the DM since once in the water she took a little to adjust to the weights and the weight belt. I also had never dived there and this site was new to me as well. My daughter looked cold underwater. I tried holding her hands to try and keep warm but didn't really work. I also noticed that she kept clearing her mask, and she complained later that it kept leaking. That didn't help her air consumption either.

After the dive she did complain that it was cold. My computer put the bottom temp at 58 degrees. I remember once I had to take off my gloves in similar temp water to fix my mask and OMG were my hands cold. I can only imagine how my poor daughter felt. After our surface interval she looked very nervous about gearing up again. I asked her if whe wanted to dive one more time or if she would prefer to thumb the dive. She said she was cold and didn't want to try it again. Despite my disappointment I decided to cancel the dive and opted not to dive myself either. This is afterall, supposed to be fun!! The last thing I wanted was to turn this into a bad experience. Up to that point she was enjoying herself, she just didn't want to get in again and be cold.

Lessons learned. 1) hire a DM for new dive sites when diving with new divers. takes all the stress and makes diving with new divers in new locations safer. 2) kids need proper gear for themselves!!! 3) diving should be fun.

As to point #2. My daughter is 4' 10" and a whopping 85 lbs soaking wet. If any of you have any advise on finding extra small gear I would appreciate it. With Christmas coming up and a trip already booked to Hawaii next year she is going to get mask, fins, gloves, and booties that fit !!

Thanks.

PS. I met Dr. Bill at Casino point. It was great to meet him and chat with him.

 

[mselenaous]

Sounds like you had a fun day and a great dad/daughter bonding experience. Casino Point is a great place for kids, especially with a divepro leading and taking care of details.

As for gear, you are absolutely correct. Comfort and enjoyment in the water is greatly affected by comfort in the gear. So I have a few suggestions:
1-Wetsuits - Aqualung makes a great 7mm suit for kids which I used to recommend to students (parents) when I taught in SoCal. They are in SoCal and ANY Aqualung dealer can order and have it in stock rather quickly.
Kids 7mm High Stretch Tsunami FullsuitAqualung also make hoods in XS, but if that doesn't fit then consider custom neoprene products.
There are several custom wetsuit makers in SoCal and they make not just wetsuits, but also hoods, vests, gloves.
These folks are in Fullerton, call for a fitting appt. Horizon Wetsuits Scuba Diving Surfing Jet Skiing Swimming Snorkeling KayakingRemember that youngsters especially teensy ones get colder faster and stay colder longer than adults so they may need to be in a thicker suit than an adult (or wear more layers like shorty over full suit, hooded vests, etc.).


2-BCDs
She's growing so get something she can grow with that is very adjustable. Although several companies make kids jacket style BCDs, these will require replacing frequently as she grows. A small/short backplate (aluminum or Kydex) and small wing will get her well into adult hood. Deep Sea Supply and Dive Rite both make these small backplates and tiny travel wings. The web harness is easy, and cheap to replace as she grows. And with time, you can increase the wing size if needed without purchasing a whole new rig. Tobin from DSS (in SoCal ) (coolhardware52 here on SB) is always available for consultation.

PS Dive Rite is running a special this month $299 for their smallest 25lb wing/ aluminum back plate package and you can add integrated weight system.

Hope you and your daughter have many happy safe dives together!

 

[Thiad]

I wish it had been a better time for her. Hopefully, finding gear that has a good fit will help with her enjoyment.

I am sorry that I can't help with any gear recommendations except I've seen some really tiny ladies out there and some have no issues finding gear while others struggle. The Zeagle Junior which might be worth looking into for a BC.

A friend of mine who's tiny, too, likes the Scubapro JetFins. They're not overly long and while they're a bit stiff, I've dove with them and found them comfortable.

 

[birdwrasse]

always best to call a dive if everything is not perfect! diving with your daughter is a gift! take her back to warm tropical waters and keep her diving. cheers, --c

 

[aichtwooh]

Not a kid, but a full "grown" 5'2" 90+/-5lb female. After extensive and exhausting searching, I have a Mares Kaila BCD in XXS (yup XXS not xs). It's cushy and weight integrated and adjustable...so as she matures physically it should work. As far as wetsuits/hoods/gloves etc. Get a close fit and have it customized/altered to fit and consider adding a vest in cold california waters. A good dive/surf jacket helps a lot during surface intervals as well as hot tea and ginger.

 

[freewillie]

Quick update. Thanks to all for advice so far. Found a Pinnacle 7 mm on closeout special at Scuba.com for $49!!! In xs small. We'll see if it fits, as well size 4 boots $10 and xs hood also $10 all on xs closeout special. Their used section had Aeris fins for $29 as well. We'll see if she fits when they arrive and more importantly if she likes them!

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

OP,
I'm glad you getting her gear. Rentals are hard enough for adults in cold water. Many stores will do trade ins on kids' gear too, as they grow. As for teh bc, you have some really good ideas. I like the Zeagle bc's because they are modular and you can buy larger bits as they grow. The others sound good also. Good luck and have fun. My kids started diving when they were that small framed and we worked it out. Keep it up.

 

[ThomasScherrer]

here is my oldest daughter, almost 13 playing in a florida pool
Frederikke Florida 2011 on Vimeo
the water is nice and warm, the 30cf pony is close to neutral, so no need for bcd for some playing arround,
if she feels like real scuba next time we go on vacation, I think we can start bublemaker and OW training,
as long as this is something she wants, but I am affraight it is a bit too technical for her, she just want to have fun

here is another one of my girls, only 6
http://www.vimeo.com/26842067
they learn stuff fast