Father and son

[Terrific]

Hi,

The decision to scuba dive has been made and my 12 year old son is the instigator. Neither of us have ever done it before, so my question is this:

Is it obvious that we learn to dive together, or should I, being the adult, undertake a different course on how to dive? I know that we will have instructors but to be honest I would feel a bit perverted splashing about in a pool with a bunch of kids and me being the only one over 5 foot tall.

I hope this is not a stupid question, but I would dearly like to know what to go looking for and which school can accommodate the best for us.

Has anyone got any real beginners advice?

Thanks

 

[doctormike]

There isn't (or shouldn't be) child-oriented scuba instruction. No one should undertake to become a certified diver until they have the emotional maturity to study this relatively complex topic, including the human physiology and math that you need to know to keep yourself alive. Although some agencies recognize "junior" levels of certification for kids under 15, they are still certified divers. As such, they need to be able to survive in an underwater environment without depending on a parent or other diver (note that this is different from saying that they must be certified to dive solo, EVERY certified diver should be able to do this, in case of buddy separation).

Now, some 10 year olds are mature enough to do this, some 20 year olds aren't. PADI certification starts at age 10, but whether or not your son can do it is a call that you need to make yourself.

That having been said, there are some instructors who may be better at teaching kids than others, that's a discussion you would need to have with a convenient dive shop or instructor in your area.

If you are going to dive together, I see no problem in you training together.

If you feel "perverted" in a scuba class with people younger than you, you might be doing it wrong!

 

[Terrific]

Thanks,

Maybe perverted was the wrong word...more like 'stick out like a sore thumb'. There is a nearby Scuba school that offer a scuba class for kids and then a separate one for adults, which all seemed a bit strange for a layman. As you quite rightly point out, emotional maturity is just as important, and so is safety. I thought that learning to dive from scratch would involve all the same basics regardless of age.

Thanks for the feedback. I will take on board the having a chat with the instructor and take it from there. Thought I would get your opinions.

The local dive instructor is called De'Ath...which doesn't bode very well

Much appreciated

 

[fjpatrum]

I suspect it's a matter of different teaching styles for the junior class to "make it more fun" and make the math/physics less obvious. Either way, sit in the class with him or have him sit in the class with you and double your educational opportunities or find a class you can both attend.

 

[Terrific]

Good point. Thanks

 

[rhwestfall]

two contradicting thoughts, though neither is an absolute:

1. Training together is great as you become familiar with your buddy. A great thing.

2. Training with someone you have "responsibility above being a buddy with" can be problematic. Caution here as you cannot become the replacement for the skills necessary.

None of this should preclude you from doing it together, but there are pitfalls to avoid.

Enjoy it!

 

[nimoh]

I don't think there is anything wrong with being in the same class as your son, but you should try to resist the urge to do things for your son. If your son is having trouble with a particular skill, allow the instructor or divemaster to decide on whether or not they should step in or allow your son to struggle through it. Stepping in will normally be for an issue with safety and this decision is best left to the instructor that has experience dealing with such issues, allowing your son to struggle through any issues is part of the learning process, and your son will likely be a better diver for it.

 

[mikeycanuk]

We've been there. Our son wanted to dive at age 9 after seeing a diver who was our guide at Chinchorro banks on a snorkelling trip.

Since he was 9 we took him for the PADI Seal Team and did the 5 Aquamissions in the local pool.

When he was 10 we all did the classroom locally and did the checkout dives in Barbados.

To be honest it wasn't quite that simple. I find females to be better DM's overall, why I have theories. But some guys have s**t to prove and just aren't good with kids (no patience). Don't go to Akumal to get certified (search my posts). Our checkout dives were with a private DM in Barbados, just the 3 of us. Easy and relaxed (compared to the Akumal debacle).

Not to push gear but the Atomic Cobalt is super easy for my son to use. We all have one.

 

[diver 85]

Back in '85, wife-daughter-& myself took the same course.......I think you'll be just fine together......

 

[drbill]

Whatever you decide, enjoy the opportunity to share this activity with your son. We thought my son wouldn't be able to dive due to asthma, but his doctor approved it and we now dive together when we can (not often enough since he has started his own business and a family).