Coldwater_Canuck
Contributor
That's exactly the issue: no one really knows if the risks are manageable. With baseball and everything, the risks are well understood and an informed decision can be made. Diving has risks for anyone, but for adults these risks are for the most part understood. Diving will always have risks, like the other activities you list, but they can't be managed when they aren't understood. But this also isn't some phantom "what if" I'm talking about, there are many valid reasons that suggest diving may be very problematic.It's odd that parents let their kids play baseball, football or soccer knowing that they WILL get injured but they shun the idea of diving because they MIGHT get hurt. Same with go-karts, dirt bikes and off-highway vehicles. New poll: how many around here allow their kids to ride dirt bikes?
We have a smorgasbord of opportunities for kids to get hurt. Diving isn't unique in this regard, but the risks are manageable.
Of course not, I don't think people are bad parents for letting their kids dive. But that's why I say the agencies need to set an appropriate minimum age. I'll go back to driving: when a child turns 16, it's still up to the parent if they are allowed to drive or not; but that is the level they are being told it is relatively safe to get on the road.For those who don't want their kids to dive until later: no problem. But it is worth noting that not all parents feel that way. That doesn't make them bad parents.
The decision when it is relatively safe to dive is not one that should be left to the parents, because 99% of people are in no position to be making this call. Even if experts don't know exactly what happens to kids underwater, they at least understand the science a lot better to have some idea. Whether or not to let their kids do it should be the parents call, but safety is largely something they know too little about.
My point is I seriously hope that the agencies saying 10 is an appropriate age to dive are basing this on science and not dollar signs. Maybe the few experts against children diving are just paranoid nutcases, I don't know. I guess I just don't trust agencies when there is money involved.
Okay I wasn't aware of that, that's definately good to know. I realized that it would be unlikely two ten year olds would go diving together, but didn't know it was actually a restriction. Good to hear.I think you are overlooking the restrictions placed on Junior Open Water divers. Not only are they limited to 40' but they can only dive with a certified parent/guardian or a Dive Master/Instructor. They can not go diving with the kid down the street.
In other words, someone is holding their hand and guiding their experiences for the next 5 years.
Richard
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