DIR REC course for 12 year old

[seaseadee]

My oldest desperately wants to scuba dive with me and I would like him to take a thorough course that will develop the muscle memory that will keep him safe. This would be for open water only.
I don't think kids his age have the ability to extrapolate and would benefit from a DIR type course. I have looked online at my local GUE instructor's site and it seems that the minimum age for their REC 1 course is 16. Are there any other options? I realize that one option is to wait until he's 16, but I don't think I could handle the badgering for that long Seriously, I will wait if I can't find something that I feel will give him the best training.


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[gsk3]

Many GUE instructors also have certifications through other agencies. Find a such an instructor and ask them if they could teach an OW class.

 

[mer]

OP,
I suggest you talk to your local GUE instructor about your particular situation and the possibility of your child taking GUE's Rec 1 (Learn-to-Dive program) at some point in the future. GUE's standards (section 1.7) do allow waivers for divers younger than 16, but it will be up to each instructor which/any potential <16 yo they feel comfortable accepting into training (and requesting such waiver from HQ).
Best,
mer

 

[WhiteSands]

Not sure what UTD's minimum age is but you could check it out. Training would be similar.

 

[TSandM]

I'd look for a PADI instructor who has either GUE or cave training of his own, and then talk to him about the fact that you'd like to start your child out along those lines.

We probably wouldn't put a kid that age in a full GUE gear setup -- we'd start with either a 40" or 5' hose and necklace, and teach primary donate. Depending on the child's size, even a 36" hose might do, with a right angle adapter on it. But a small backplate and wing isn't any harder than any other gear to manage, and can be adjusted nicely for a kid.