Diver and writer

[Franzilla]

Hi, I've been diving for years but only recently decided to write a fictional book based on a scuba theme (for children). That's how I came to this site because I was hunting for information on diving qualifications for children aged 12 (murky waters, it seems!).

I also used to write for DIVE magazine in the UK. It's now a free digital magazine if anyone's interested. It's fabulous too! Dive Magazine Free (I don't work for them anymore so this is not a plug for myself, it's just a great mag.)

 

[ROXANNE]

Welcome!

 

[Danielle@Rubidjad.com]

Hi Franzilla, I'm new, too, on this site. Like you, I am an author of children's books, which I plan to release in December.

 

[boulderjohn]

Hi, I've been diving for years but only recently decided to write a fictional book based on a scuba theme (for children). That's how I came to this site because I was hunting for information on diving qualifications for children aged 12 (murky waters, it seems!).

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

I'm not sure what you mean by murky waters. Most agencies will certify 12-year old children the same as they would adults. The primary difference is the depths to which they are allowed to dive.

 

[Franzilla]

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

I'm not sure what you mean by murky waters. Most agencies will certify 12-year old children the same as they would adults. The primary difference is the depths to which they are allowed to dive.

By murky waters I mean that the regulations aren't always crystal clear. For example, I found it quite tricky to find out whether a 12-year-old has to dive with a qualified adult parent/guardian once they've qualified as a Junior Diver or whether they can dive with any other diver. And also what age that other diver has to be. Apparently, it depends on the country. In some places any qualified diver over the age of 18 can take a Junior Diver out on a dive; in other places the diver could be 16. It depends on how the country defines 'an adult'.

I also found it difficult to find out whether a 12-year-old has to take a test or not.

Maybe the phrase 'murky waters' is a little loaded. I just mean that it seems there's a bit more variation than, say, with a straightforward adult certification for open water.

---------- Post Merged at 09:13 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:11 AM ----------

Hi Franzilla, I'm new, too, on this site. Like you, I am an author of children's books, which I plan to release in December.

Excellent! Is it also about diving?

 

[boulderjohn]

By murky waters I mean that the regulations aren't always crystal clear. For example, I found it quite tricky to find out whether a 12-year-old has to dive with a qualified adult parent/guardian once they've qualified as a Junior Diver or whether they can dive with any other diver. And also what age that other diver has to be. Apparently, it depends on the country. In some places any qualified diver over the age of 18 can take a Junior Diver out on a dive; in other places the diver could be 16. It depends on how the country defines 'an adult'.

I also found it difficult to find out whether a 12-year-old has to take a test or not.

Maybe the phrase 'murky waters' is a little loaded. I just mean that it seems there's a bit more variation than, say, with a straightforward adult certification for open water.

I don't know about any laws in any countries that might exist relative to this. I only know the PADI rules.

Certifying a 12-year old is absolutely the same process as certifying an adult. Once certified, the only difference is that 12-year olds get a junior open water certification and are not supposed to go deeper than 60 feet until they are 15.