BurhanMuntasser:It should be noted that NAUI still has the minimum age for training children at 12 years old.
I believe they also lowered their minimum age to 10 a couple of years ago.
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BurhanMuntasser:It should be noted that NAUI still has the minimum age for training children at 12 years old.
I can argue either side of the age minimum coin. Some food for thought:
- Why the rush to train and certify?
- Many dive operators will not allow divers under a certain age to dive. (If you plan to dive with a child under the age of 15, call ahead to the dive operator.)
- What opportunities will the child have to keep current and learn new skills?
- Will the child have opportunities to relate diving to their academic studies? Find a school assignment, project or presentation where the child can use what they learned.
- Ask the child why they want to learn to dive. Have them put it in writing.
I guess PADI approves this but I would not let a 10-year-old dive in the cold Monterey waters. I just find it hard to believe that a 10 year old has the mental and emotional maturity to handle the intensity of scuba diving and dire results of panic or foolhardy behavior of a pre-teen.
I can argue either side of the age minimum coin. Some food for thought:
- Why the rush to train and certify?
- Many dive operators will not allow divers under a certain age to dive. (If you plan to dive with a child under the age of 15, call ahead to the dive operator.)
- What opportunities will the child have to keep current and learn new skills?
- Will the child have opportunities to relate diving to their academic studies? Find a school assignment, project or presentation where the child can use what they learned.
- Ask the child [-]why[/-] IF they want to learn to dive. Have them put it in writing.
Over the summer we did lot of OOA drills, buddy breathing drills, etc... I know his skills are above that of many new divers and adults that don't dive much already. My only concern is picking appropriate sites he can handle. Of course in a rescue situation were he had to pull my 220lbs butt in the boat I would be screwed but in other areas I am confident he will be a perfect buddy.