Dive manual and books for kids.

[Chugwhump]

So my son who is 10 years old wants to learn to dive.
And I am talking proper training, and then onto a 12' reef escorted by me and other people that know their stuff.
Let us just call it a beach drag or grassy flats and patch reefs inside Carysfort Light type stuff.
Does anyone have suggestions as to what books I ought to hunt up for him?
PADI?
NAUI?
OTHER???
I know about the PADI Bubble Maker program (he thinks that is...and I quote...Baby Crap), but he is a good snorkeler, can equalize, and grew up on the beach.
He chases sharks, and woe betide the first Lion Fish he sees.

My first Scuba book was the "New Science of Skin and Scuba Diving" in 1977.
It was a pain for a 12 year old.
I mean really......
Boyle's law, Charles Law, Martini's Law, Dalton's Law....Blah, Blah, Law, Law.
Somehow I have not killed myself in 33 years of diving without total frikkin' recall of the gas laws by name.
I forgot them about immediately after my scuba lessons a long time ago, but not their associated physics.
I figured out that we needed to be huffing Nitrox long before the internet or even heard of Dick Rutkowski, and I am about a moron at physics.

I intend to get him some books and then he needs to invest the time and read them and understand something before we toss out the money for lessons.
I will be as committed as he is.

I am just not exactly sure when he will really be ready for the hardware.

Chug
He's gonna be a slayer someday folks, just not sure he is ready.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Dennis Gravers "Scuba Diving 4th Edition". Clear, concise, and well written. It should be ok for a 10yr old with some coaching. The gas laws are explained in practical terms. And to a point I agree that what counts is an understanding of them and how they apply vs the names. Gravers book is also missing something. Advertisements and stupid cartoons. There are illustrations but they are not cutesy or demeaning to the person reading the book. He sounds like he will appreciate that!

I would caution against getting more than one book to start. It could get confusing. Gravers book does not push other courses. It gives good solid info on the basics of scuba diving but can also be used as a primer for advanced courses as there is info on basic deco ( which we cover in our OW class and why we use his book as our text for SEI Diving), gas management, and well thought out equipment selection. You can get it on Amazon, from SEI HQ, or through me. SRP is 24.95. I sell it new for $25 shipped any where in the states. Or you could get an older third edition for maybe 15 bucks used on Amazon.

This is not a kids book per se but I have a 12yr old who is having no problems with it. She also appreciates that it does not talk down to her. I could also probably find an instructor down your way who uses the book. Problem would be that he would need to be 12 under our system.

 

[Chugwhump]

Thanks Jim.
Chug

 

[Sandbar]

Chug, please keep us posted on his progress. My son will be 10 in a year and is on the countdown to dive training. He sounds very similar to your son. Good luck.

 

[Chugwhump]

Chug, please keep us posted on his progress. My son will be 10 in a year and is on the countdown to dive training. He sounds very similar to your son. Good luck.

Will do.
Took Mr. Lapenta's advice and ordered the third edition.
Chug
A new kinda bed time story around here is in the offing.

 

[riftvalley84]

Our youngest was 11 when we she got certified. She read through the OW PADI book and took all the quizzes along with the rest of us and did very well. She also breezed through the practical portion as well and is a very conscientious diver.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Might have the NAUI JR. OW stuff around someplace... And my kid love the Scuba Diver magazine.. if only for the pics!

 

[Chugwhump]

Cool Jenny.
Kayak dive this weekend?
I have three days off!
S,S,M.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Yeah!!! Sounds good to me!! I have the same days off!