Diving with a Junior Diver

[Karibelle]

As a PADI professional, the only depth related standard I am held to outside of training is with 10 or 11 year old divers.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Not having paid any attention to the detail of the Jr Diver cert, this may seem a stupid question.

Why do they require a private DM? A buddy, certainly. But if there's a group in the water, is there some reason why two certified divers, one of whom happens to be 11, can't simply dive the shallower portion of the reef while others choose to dive deeper?

There's never been a jr Diver in the group, but when we dive Cozumel, it's not at all uncommon for buddy pairs to be at different depths.

 

[Mossman]

Not having paid any attention to the detail of the Jr Diver cert, this may seem a stupid question.

Why do they require a private DM? A buddy, certainly. But if there's a group in the water, is there some reason why two certified divers, one of whom happens to be 11, can't simply dive the shallower portion of the reef while others choose to dive deeper?

There's never been a jr Diver in the group, but when we dive Cozumel, it's not at all uncommon for buddy pairs to be at different depths.

According to PADI:

• Junior Open Water Divers ages 10-11 years old must dive with a PADI Professional or certified parent/guardian. Dives must not exceed 12 metres /40 feet.

---------- Post added November 19th, 2013 at 04:14 PM ----------

And really, there is nothing stopping a junior diver from going to 100 feet in other places (and if you search the boards you'll see parents who take jr. divers well beyond the limits). But in Cozumel, everyone has to have a DM, so that would be the only reason the restriction is 'policed'. Are there any marine park DMs who are not affiliated with an agency that has these rules (I assume they have to have some agency affiliation).

I believe SSI is more restrictive than PADI. On the page dealing with 10- to 14-year-old divers: "Certified Scuba Divers are entitled to go diving under the direct supervision of a Dive Leader up to a maximum depth of 40 feet/12 metres"

 

[mjatkins]

Not having paid any attention to the detail of the Jr Diver cert, this may seem a stupid question.

Why do they require a private DM? A buddy, certainly. But if there's a group in the water, is there some reason why two certified divers, one of whom happens to be 11, can't simply dive the shallower portion of the reef while others choose to dive deeper?

There's never been a jr Diver in the group, but when we dive Cozumel, it's not at all uncommon for buddy pairs to be at different depths.

Hi Dirty-Dog,
We require a private DM to conform with the marine park rules. The rule says that all divers must be lead in the water by a Cozumel Marine Park certified guide. If we have some folks at 40ft and some at 80 or more, I can not in good conscience say that I am effectively leading and supervising all the divers. We would not be in a position to give an adequate amount of care and attention, or be able to react effectively in case of an emergency. In order to meet the intent of the rule, and in order to be prudent guides, we require this for anyone who wishes to stray significantly from the group.

 

[WheelsUSN]

I think he is trying to contrast this with the "60 foot limit" on OW, and the recent discussion that after training there is no scuba police.
So do PADI standards say DMs affiliated with PADI must keep to the restriction for children in all dives, but it is only a training issue and not a general restriction for adults?

If he is a PADI DM then he is violating the PADI Code of practice.


"As a PADI Member, you agree to the following:
14. Respect and reinforce the depth and supervisory restrictions as displayed on restricted PADI certification cards, such as PADI Scuba Diver and Junior Diver.


If you breach the Code of Practice, your PADI Membership is at risk."

An OW certification card does not have a depth restriction printed on the card but a Junior certification card does.

 

[Ron Lee]

Is the depth limit for the young divers based upon concern about possible negative physical impacts by diving deeper? If so, why would a parent place them at risk? Wait a few years and the deep stuff will still be there.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

We just put them and their parents on their own boat. If the parents won't go with the kid, the Kid doesn't go unless a private DM, very unusual as the parents always want to be with the junior diver. In most all cases it is easy to do when mixing with new or novice divers, using multiple boats.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[cvchief]

If he is a PADI DM then he is violating the PADI Code of practice.


"As a PADI Member, you agree to the following:
14. Respect and reinforce the depth and supervisory restrictions as displayed on restricted PADI certification cards, such as PADI Scuba Diver and Junior Diver.


If you breach the Code of Practice, your PADI Membership is at risk."

An OW certification card does not have a depth restriction printed on the card but a Junior certification card does.

Ah Ha. So there are scuba police just limited to anything less than OW diver. OW divers can do as they please. (And who gets certified as a scuba diver and not OW?)

Do SSI and Naui speak the same language?

This is getting educational.

 

[Karibelle]

When do you arrive, Chief? We're going to need more than just one drink.

 

[Skittl1321]

(And who gets certified as a scuba diver and not OW?)

People who didn't do a good job in the OW class (we had one person end up with a scuba diver certification; surprisingly it was not me). I suppose also don't have time for the full OW class.