Equip for young divers

[cgvmer]

So my daughter is looking to start getting certified in the next couple months (she's 10). I was wondering from instructors if they would have an issue with her using a BP/W setup. I have a aluminum BP and a small wing.

I am going to ask the shop (where my son was certified 2 years ago ) but I was wondering if I'm off base even starting a 10 yr old on BP/W.

 

[Twiddles]

I would think go rental for awhile. Everything will be outgrown. I guess you could get octo but anything fitted just seems like throwing money away.

 

[String]

No real difference between a wing and bcd - they both perform the same function.
However i'd insist the instructor had EXACTLY the same kit for the child to copy to avoid confusion.
A wing and harness at least SHOULD fit a small person and not be grown out of although ive never seen a plate on a young child to be sure.

Although in my world a 10 year old wouldn't be learning to dive anyway

 

[Thalassamania]

As log as the plate is not too big, the BP/W will likely fit her better and be easier for her to use.

 

[cgvmer]

String, I'm confused by your comment
"However i'd insist the instructor had EXACTLY the same kit for the child to copy to avoid confusion." In the OW classes I have seen, (my own, and my son's )the diversity of equipment was pretty wide such that the instructor had to explain the differences to a couple of students.

As for the backplate, I chose aluminum for the weight and it fits on her back pretty well and with a little strap adjustment it will be fine on her.

 

[cgvmer]

String, I'm confused by your comment
"However i'd insist the instructor had EXACTLY the same kit for the child to copy to avoid confusion." In the OW classes I have seen, (my own, and my son's )the diversity of equipment was pretty wide such that the instructor had to explain the differences to a couple of students.

As for the backplate, I chose aluminum for the weight and it fits on her back pretty well and with a little strap adjustment it will be fine on her.

As for growing out of it, this would replacing the harness webbing .

 

[String]

String, I'm confused by your comment
"However i'd insist the instructor had EXACTLY the same kit for the child to copy to avoid confusion." In the OW classes I have seen, (my own, and my son's )the diversity of equipment was pretty wide such that the instructor had to explain the differences to a couple of students.

Although a wing works the same as a BCD it does look different. Demonstrating skills such as remove and replace both underwater and on the surface are not the same. Weight belt remove and replace is made more complex by a crotch strap. Given we're dealing with a young child here to avoid any confusion at all id want the instructor wearing the same kit to give extremely clear demonstrations of these skills. Once qualified then go for diversity.

As i said though, i don't think 10 years is old enough to dive safely anyway

 

[Thalassamania]

Although a wing works the same as a BCD it does look different. Demonstrating skills such as remove and replace both underwater and on the surface are not the same. Weight belt remove and replace is made more complex by a crotch strap. Given we're dealing with a young child here to avoid any confusion at all id want the instructor wearing the same kit to give extremely clear demonstrations of these skills. Once qualified then go for diversity.

As i said though, i don't think 10 years is old enough to dive safely anyway

A crotch strap is not an essential part of the rig for a child with a single cylinder. Once that goes away I think that most of the potential confusion is taken care of. In my experience there are 10 year olds who are ready to dive and 10 year olds that are not, just like adults, only the ratio of those who are not is higher.

 

[Jimmer]

I agree it entirely depends on the child in question. I guarantee there will be some students that will get everything faster and easier and adapt and be more natural in the water than any of the adults in the class.

 

[cgvmer]

I understand the issues surrounding 10yr olds diving or not. I have been dealing with scouts for years now, spending time every summer teaching swimming and lifesaving at summer camp and I'm accustomed to seeing the difference between kids comfortable and not comfortable in the water.

My daughter has been a competitive swimmer since age 5, has taken to snorkeling (except when swarmed by stingrays in Stingray city when 6), SASSY and this summer SNUBA.

I have already started her to watch the OW DVD so she can ask questions ahead of time.