Diver Under 18

[jsmith89]

I recently read an argument present by an instructor. He refuses to instruct anyone under the age of 18. I would just like to hear what everyone's opinions are on divers between the ages of 12 (the prerequisite age to become a Jr Open Water Diver) and 18.

-Jacobi

 

[Diesel298]

place i worked wouldnt do under 16
some people dont wanna work with kids who generally dont have attention spans longer than 30 seconds

 

[Gary D.]

It's his business and he can restrict who he instructs.

I have a recumbent bike business on the side and I don't allow very many kids to ride them. Not much different than what he's doing.

Gary D.

 

[jsmith89]

I have no problem with the fact he will not instruct people under 18 that is his call there are plenty of others who will. What bothers me is that his reasoning I found to be rather insulting and misinforming. He tended to generalize everything too much. I will try and find the link to the information he presented.

-Jacobi

 

[jsmith89]

Here is the link
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt/kids.htm

-Jacobi

 

[ghostdiver1957]

I recently read an argument present by an instructor. He refuses to instruct anyone under the age of 18. I would just like to hear what everyone's opinions are on divers between the ages of 12 (the prerequisite age to become a Jr Open Water Diver) and 18.

-Jacobi

I'm an Instructor... and I love teaching 12 - 17 year olds... they generally make better students than adults, they learn quicker and for the most part show more intelligence and discipline than older students. They don't present with as many fears and anxiety issues. In open water I've never had a problem with a young person, but I've had plenty with adults. The instructor you speak of is ignorant - period.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I recently read an argument present by an instructor. He refuses to instruct anyone under the age of 18. I would just like to hear what everyone's opinions are on divers between the ages of 12 (the prerequisite age to become a Jr Open Water Diver) and 18.

-Jacobi

Actually many agencies are certifying divers as young as 10 for junior open water diver now.

I've certified 10 year olds and refused to train a 14 year old. Not all kids are the same. I require an interview where the parent watches but doesn't speak.

 

[Chad Carney]

(You guys type faster than I do!)

Yes, 10 year olds can now take the OW course with SDI. I believe PADI and SSI also dropped their standard to 10 as well. They get the Jr OW cert. until 15 years old.

I've taught a lot of young people over the last 28 years, and some 10 year olds since about 2000 or so when it was enacted. Many of the youngest were fine, very attentive and with good equipment and water skills. Much better than a lot of the troublesome older teenagers. They have always been taught in families with at least one parent student. I use the small HP 80 tanks and XS BCs.

I encourage these young divers, as long as they have an active parent to dive with. SDI felt that it's better for a pro to teach them than a parent, which was what often happened when the limit was 12 years of age.

Chad

 

[Gary D.]

I just glanced over it as I lost interest in his story rather quickly.

I have to agree with you that he is very misinformed. Kids can be much better students than a lot of adults. In what little I read I think he has an ego issue.

I don't let many ride the recumbents for a lot of reasons. First is size, most kids just don't fit them. My grandson won't ride a regular bike anymore because he loves his recumbent. But I had to build him a small one he could fit on.

Another reason is that they are mostly road bikes and trikes not designed for jumping and sliding which kids love to do. Getting that rough on them can do thousands of $$ worth of damage.

I learned to dive at 14 and did well. Had I been on a recumbent I would have totaled it rather quickly.

Gary D.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

On his site he says...

Many times over the last two decades I have been told that in the business of selling c-cards, there is no column in the ledger sheet for health & safety, quality of education, or in some cases, adherence to US law

He has been told this MANY TIMES? If I were told that once I'd be gone.

Idiot.