Children becoming certified in some countries before 12

[vladimir]

If it were my child, I would investigate the scientific literature concerning long term effects of diving. There is some suggestion that diving may have a cumulative deleterious effect on pulmonary function and on the central nervous system.

 

[augie]

My intentions were to get the DM certification before either of my sons got certified, but I never have the free time available to complete the DM course.

So when my oldest got his junior OW card at age 12 two years ago I was (and still am) only certified up to Recue Diver. My brother and I both "tagged along" for his class' checkout OW dives, just so the instructor would have more sets of adult eyes and ears with her in the water. We had no official responsibility, but as relatively experienced divers we could help keep an eye on "the herd".

After his checkout dives my son did several dives with us, off of the boat of the operator I've used for years and feel comfortable with. He does very well in the water, but when he dives with us my dive is a completely different experience - as much as I enjoy being underwater with him, I constantly keep an eye on him, and can't relax as much as I can when he's not along.

Next month, my youngest son will begin his training. Between the two of them and their mother I'll be a wreck when we dive as a family!

 

[MSFD923]

I don't know what level of certification my kids have but my 12 yr old son and 11 yr old daughter are both certified as of last spring which would have made them 10 and 11 at that time. I believe the course was thru SSI and not PADI.

 

[jva]

I have heard an read several times that it is also dangerous for children who are still growing.
A quick google resulted:
"Young divers may be at risk of dysbaric osteonecrosis (bone bends) at growth plates but statistical evidence for this being a problem is lacking. (...) Fourteen is generally regarded the minimum age"
http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/articles/fitnesstodive.html
and on scubadiving.com:
"There are issues to consider with children diving, such as diving's potential effects on lung, bone and other developing tissue. Children divers should stick to dive profiles that minimize their DCS risk to eliminate possible injury to growing tissues, such as the growth plates of bones. There are no studies that indicate that these growth plates (epiphyseal plates) are a particular problem—just suspicion that an area of increased vascularity might be more susceptible to bubbles. Since the damage that can be done to bone is directly proportional to the length of time at depth, time and depth should be restricted in the growing teenager. A teenager's ascent rates and safety stops should be carefully monitored."
http://www.scubadiving.com/training/your_body/is_it_safe_to_exercise_after_diving?/1/

 

[mikeclarke99]

I understand about not relaxing during a dive as much with a child. I have keep looking at the guide and back at my son. I am responsible for him so it's natural that I keep an eye on him. We are both newly qualified so I guess I am as much a beginner as he is. We love it though. We are just about to test the UK north sea once the conditions settle. I have managed to scrounge a dry suit for him. We need to do a dry suit course first though.