Is lowering the age of Scouts for SCUBA Diving a good idea?

[tight rope walker]

The scouts to me have always been a hands on organization, that's why the tender program. The potential diver is already exposed to diving within the troop.

Would you issue a badge for simulator time?

I know I am very old fashioned, and although a simulator would provide you with a visual experience, I donot believe it is the same as being able to hold something in your hand.

Now if the potential candidate wants to pursue farther, then by all means, bring in the simulator.
But this is just a dream of mine, and that is my only motivation as I am looking for nothing to gain.

Tenders have played an important role in our nations history, and in this small way we could keeep the tradiction alive.

That's another thing the scouts have taught me, like every time I go by my local post ofice and watch the postal employee take down our flag, roll it in a ball, and throw it in a bag.

One day after watching this for the last time I got out of my truck, and proceed to show this person how to fold a flag.....as was taught to me by a scout.

 

[KJackson60]

Max depth for Junior Open Water is 40 feet. Advanced Jr Open Water is 80'.

Divers are considered to be adult at 16 years of age.

The lowering of the BSA scuba age is in conjunction with recreational dive training standards which allow Diving Certifications at the age of 12. If the recreational dive community feels 12 is ok then there is no reason for BSA to do differently.

Note that the maturaity of the child is to be considered by the instructor to determine if the person is ready for diving.

Junior Open Water Divers must be accompanied by a Parent or Gaurdian or a Dive Professional not just any adult.

I was looking on the PADI web site and found their restrictions for Junior Open Water Divers:
"10-11 year olds must dive with a PADI Professional OR certified parent/guardian. They must not exceed 40'."
"12-14 year olds must dive with a Certified adult."

The only depth restrictions that I could find were 40' for the 10-11 year olds, 60' for Junior Open Water Divers or 100' for repetitive deep dives/130' single deep dive for Jr. AOW.

We need to have a "Dive Professional" with us when we dive as a scout group regardless of age per The Guide to safe Scouting, that does not appear to be the case for Jr. Divers outside of scouts. Your statement above seems to indicate that Jr. Divers DO need to be escorted by a Dive Professional even if not involved with Scouts. I am a little confused here. Could you please clarify?

 

[mmmeenehan]

As an additional note those scouts interested in getting the Merit Badge do not need to do the entire Open Water course. The Scuba Diver course meets the requirements for the BSA Merit Badge.

Why do you think the Scuba Diver course meets the requirements for the merit badge given the "Minimum Course Content for Open Water Diver Certification" listing on pages 5-7 of the Scuba Merit Badge book? For example, underwater navigation is listed as being part of the minimum OW course required in the merit badge book, but uw nav is not part of the PADI scuba diver course.

 

[T23]

azchipka,

Requirement 4 in the Scuba Merit Badge booklet states: "4. Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy."

Regardless of any similarities in course content between Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver the requirement hasn't been met by a scout who has earning a Scuba Diver rating.