Is 8 too young to start (physiologically)

[justonemore]

Hi all,

While looking into a refresher course, my 8 year old daughter became interested in SCUBA. While she meets the PADI "seal team" age requirements..."can do" doesn't always equal "should do". While I wouldn't mind getting her into it and being able to dive together in the future, my wife and I (mostly my wife) worry a bit as to whether or not it might be unhealthy for a "growing" body. I can't find much on it and part of me says that if PADI approves, then they probably checked it all out beforehand...but still...Has anyone researched the topic recently? Any links that I can use to ease my wife's worried mind?

Thanks in advance...

 

[diver 85]

IMO, too early-----for several reasons....There's plenty of time to 'dive together' in a few short years,,,--unless, one of you's not planning on hanging around for a while..

 

[Hawkwood]

Keep in mind that Seal Team is a pool experience only.

 

[justonemore]

Thanks for the prompt responses...

Hawkwood...Indeed...It's one of the things I liked about it. The program consists of 10 pool dives (which seem to give a good intro to the technical aspects of the sport versus the distractions of open water dives).

Diver85...While I agree that there will be (should be) plenty of time to do so in the future, would you mind expanding a bit on the "for several reasons" part?

 

[diver 85]

Thanks for the prompt responses...

Hawkwood...Indeed...It's one of the things I liked about it. The program consists of 10 pool dives (which seem to give a good intro to the technical aspects of the sport versus the distractions of open water dives).

Diver85...While I agree that there will be (should be) plenty of time to do so in the future, would you mind expanding a bit on the "for several reasons" part?

For one-mentally , you think an 8 YO is capable of running dive tables & understanding the physics of diving??......

 

[maj2]

My daughter (now 11) started her diving "education" at age 8 in PADI's Bubblemaker experience.

I would highly recommend Bubblemaker as a starting point. It is more of a "discover scuba" for kids, and is very much focused on underwater fun and games. It was a great way for me to judge her comfort from the pool deck and then talk to her instructor after about how she did. She LOVED the experience.

After Bubblemaker, she did both Seal Team and Master Seal Team between Bubblemaker and getting her Jr OW at age 10. These programs are great to spread out additional experiences over the couple of years before being able to do her Jr OW. Seal Team introduces a lot of the skills that a child will need for OW. Master Seal Team introduces concepts more in line with AOW. My daughter's Master Seal Team course included a night dive in the instructor's home pool, use of a lift bag to bring a few pounds of lead up from the bottom of the pool, underwater photography, and navigation. I forget the fifth "mission" that she did.

Both Seal Team programs are more task oriented. I am glad she did Bubblemaker first as it was more appropriate for an 8 year old and provided more of a basis for the Seal Team programs.

The programs for which an 8 year old will be eligible are all pool-only and there should be little concern. Once OW certified, Jr divers have depth restrictions since we do not really know the physiologic implications of deep diving on growth plates, or the ability of a Jr diver to assist his/her parent in an emergency, etc.

And NO... and 8 year old will not be capable of running dive tables or understanding the physics. However, that is not the point of either Bubblemaker or Seal Team. They are all "discovery" programs. Even at age 10, it took a bit of work with my daughter to get through the physics. She eventually got it. She did struggle with the eRDP though. Believe it or not, it was after I went through the scenarios with my tables that she figured it all out. The light just went "on" when she saw it done on tables for the first time, and then she mastered the eRDP very quickly.

I definitely do recommend Bubblemaker before Seal Team though. It is a less intensive (and very fun!) experience and gives you a better idea of your child's readiness for anything more.

 

[Water Boy76]

I've had this quandry myself. My son is 8 and will be 9 in a few months. He can swim like a fish. But he is not mentally ready to learn and fully understand the dangers involved with SCUBA. I plan on waiting until he proves that he will take the class seriously. If he's like his father, it will be a while.

 

[TMHeimer]

Most know my opinion--8 is way too young to do anything with scuba (body or mind wise). I think 15 is probably OK to start. I base this on my years of teaching 11 year olds and up in school band, and recalling my own youth. I'm in a small minority.

 

[divad]

Hi all,

While looking into a refresher course, my 8 year old daughter became interested in SCUBA. While she meets the PADI "seal team" age requirements..."can do" doesn't always equal "should do". While I wouldn't mind getting her into it and being able to dive together in the future, my wife and I (mostly my wife) worry a bit as to whether or not it might be unhealthy for a "growing" body. I can't find much on it and part of me says that if PADI approves, then they probably checked it all out beforehand...but still...Has anyone researched the topic recently? Any links that I can use to ease my wife's worried mind?

Thanks in advance...

That's a cognition question..... right?

 

[gr8jab]

Everyone has an opinion, and they frequently differ.

Mine is: Yes, do it! The sooner the better. My son did Bubblemaker and Seal Team and loved every moment of it. Don't listen to those comments about 'learning physics' and all that. They don't teach that anyway. They have fun and teach the kids about the gear, all while under extremely close instructor supervision.

Doing it in the pool is fine, but if you can work it out, go somewhere exciting. We went to Kids Sea Camp (Family Dive Adventures) and the whole family had a blast. The instructors were EXCELLENT, having run the kids programs for years, with lots of experience and skills (100s of kids). I also hear good things about Joe's Dive Locker in Hawaii and Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan, but have no 1st hand experience.

My son did SASY at age 7. SASY is Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth, where they wear kids size SCUBA gear, but only float on the surface (as if snorkeling). We were in Curacao at Kids Sea Camp (which is no longer one of their destinations), and they did SASY in the Sea Aquarium tanks!

Later, at age 9, my son did Seal Team at Grand Cayman's Kids Sea Camp They spent several days in the pool getting familiar with the gear. They then were allowed to dive off the dock (10 feet deep), with an instructor. They had one instructor for each pair of kids. The instructor swam just behind the kids, and physically held each kid during the whole dive. I was amazed at how natural all the kids were in the water. Finally, at the end of the week, we all went to Stingray City for a dive excursion. They picked a spot on the sandbar and I had my first dive ever with my son (again, only 10 feet). The instructor was there too, doing the same thing, fully in charge and controlling my son from behind.

At every turn, I was impressed with how great the instructors were, and how well they interacted with the kids. At times where fun and play were OK, they were in with the kids. When they needed kids to obey and pay attention, they somehow managed to get them all to behave and listen.

I asked the instructors if any kids have problems, such as not listening, or fear, or equalization, or unable to dive for whatever reason. The instructor said that the kids are much easier to teach than adults. They learn faster, master the skills with ease, and are much more comfortable in the water than many adults.

I know very little about Jr Open Water, but wonder if a 10 year old can safely do this. Some yes, some no. My son is now 15, but won't get his OW until our next trip (when my daughter is old enough for Kids Sea Camp