Jr diver cert dives at 50'?

[DeputyDan]

during the certification process.

None of you should be past 60 feet

and the 11 year old should be doing skills at 20 to 25 feet and shouldn't dive past 40 feet.

Don't take this trip. Find a new instructor.

Sorry, but can't think of anything positive that could happen here.

 

[boney]

All of them are excellent suggestions!!! Although if it is your LDS and you do plan on going to them for further training I would see them first and try to explain your concerns and your situation.
If they still seem like they don't care then that is not the LDS for you and follow the other suggestions... RUN!

 

[mariesp]

THANK YOU Drew, Frank and everyone for your responses. I wish I had found this board before starting my training!

Our plan is to talk to the Dive Shop owner. He's been supportive so far so I definitely want to make him aware of our concerns and give him a chance to respond. Our instructor is also in the process of training other instructors so its even more important that the owner knows what's happening. We'll see what the response is and then decide what we want to do.

I really appreciate all the advice that was given. Since we're knew to this sport, we're limited to what we experienced...having your input definitely helped put it in perspective.

 

[Welsh_Dive_Pro]

Hi there,
I agree with what has been said previously. I dont think there are bad agencies just bad instructors, so going to another agency isn't necessarily going to mean better luck.

It does sound like this guy needs a serious kick up the behind though. As an instructor if i have under 14s I will only take them in two at a time.

This might sound like stating the obvious but, you say that your daughter wears ear plugs for when she's flying, make sure that when she is diving that she NEVER wears anything inside her ears.

Hope this helps.

 

[mariesp]

One more thing about the equalizing problems. I am going to take the advice of finding my daughter an ENT preferably w/dive experience that can take a look at her ears.

I also saw a link under the 'diving medicine' forum led me to this:http://www.proplugs.com/. The response from 'Welsh_Dive_Pro' specifically advise against having her put anything in her ears. Are these plugs not recommended?

Thanks again!

 

[scuba-punk]

The thing that makes them work is that they are vented... They allow the water pressure to get directly to your eardrum in order for you to equalise. Please make absolutely certain that you are getting the vented ones! The non-vented ones are not meant for diving and you can really bugger your ears using them. Just remember that using ProPlugs is not something that you would do in order to dive when you normally wouldn't. Also, make sure to keep them clean - the equalising hole isn't that big, and a healthy dose of dried sea salt (or worse yet, ear crud ) can render them useless. Simply put, it's just something to add to your predive checklist.

An ENT is definitely the way to go - make sure that she doesn't have any potential problems that could get her injured. One thing to keep in mind, there are ENT's that are familiar with diving, but some are not. If yours is not, acquaint them with D.A.N. - www.diversalertnetwork.org - your doctor can consult with them. Your instructor/dive shop may have mentioned them to you.

-Frank =-)

 

[Welsh_Dive_Pro]

I don't personally know of pro-plugs so I can't comment on their usefulness. However the ears need to be able to clear to prevent a baro-trauma. Having 'normal' ear plugs in is dangerous for two reasons:-

1. Blocking the ears prevents proper equalisation, leading to possible ear problems, and a possible lay off from diving.

2. Pressure increase of the water pushing the plugs too far into the ears, therefore again preventing proper equalisation (point 1), but also meaning that you have to go to your nearest A&E (ED dept.) to have them removed.

HTH

 

[MikeFerrara]

I know a diver who uses the pro-ear because he has a perferated ear drum and it keeps the water out. To my knowlege they can't really do anything to help you equalize.

Equalization can get easier with practice but if there's a medical or structural problem a pro-ear isn't going to help.

In regards to this thread, ear problems are something that all instructors need to watch ver carefully for. I have had many students with no history of ear related medical problems find out they have them when the try to dive. At the first sign of trouble beyond the "normal" learning curve, I get the student out of the water and insist they see a doctor. They don't get back in the water with me (including pool) until a doc tells me (by way of a signiture) that it's ok. Even with a docs ok if it looks to me like there's a problem I'll keep them out of the water anyway.


Kids and ear trouble...
I wouldn't be surprised if a child had alergies or structural issues preventing easy equalization that may streighten out later in life. That is, provided that no gamage is done now.

 

[MikeFerrara]

mariesp once bubbled...


My 11 year old has done great w/the skills but has had problems equalizing in a 12' pool (she has to wear special ear plugs for air travel because her ears won't pop). I'm concerned about what's going to happen when we get in open water. (another reason not to go deeper than 40'!). Any others out there who were able to overcome deficiencies in how their ears equalize?

I am grateful for any feedback/advice anyone has. Thank you!

If I'm not mistaken there is a question about having a history of trouble equalizing on the RSTC medical form. If the answer is yes a doctors approval is required to dive. I won't take divers to the deep end of the pool unless they can equalize in shallow water and at the surface.

Most people can get away with not equalizing in a 10 ft pool but...
Do not let your child back in the water without consulting a doctor. If you can't blow air into your middle ear at the surface you won't get it done at depth. The pressure changes in a plane are tiny compared to the pressure changes in the water.

 

[dbulmer]

MariesSp,

Find another instructor - quite honestly you are entrusting your lives to this bloke and Dutchman, Mike Ferrara are quite right (as are the others).

One thing to think about is that if your kids might develop a fear of something which need never have been there in the first place and which might spoil their enjoyment of diving in the not too distant future or even longer.

Just because someone is a skilled and enthusiastic diver does not mean that person is the best to instill good diving habits into others.