Kiddo working on her PADI OW cert a few questions because of her young age

[jal102]

Hi everyone!

I have been actively diving for over a decade and adore every moment spent underwater. My almost 11 year old daughter (turns 11 in January) has been swimming competitively for almost 5 years and has been given my permission and credit card to become a certified diver. She has done SNUBA 3 times to a pretty decent depth (no clearing and sinus issues) and snorkels (open water, boats, shark snorkeling, shore walk-in, etc.) every time it is an option. She has done these activities in Belize, Roatan, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Cozumel, and the list goes on for the past 4 years. I believe she is mentally ready to at least give it a try and if I feel the training is not where it needs to be then I will continue to SNUBA with her until she is ready.

I chose our local dive shop instead of a chain retailer for a class size of 3 and have asked the instructor to NOT make anything easier or modified on her behalf. I learned in very cold CA with 3 foot viz and she will be doing open water dives in a barely 60 degree, nasty lake with 10 foot viz at best.

Here are my 2 questions now that I have shared a little background:
1-What are people's opinions of my decision, keeping her water skills and experience in mind, at allowing her to get certified?

2-We are heading to Jamaica for Xmas and I am hoping to take her for her first dive if class goes well. I would like to find a dive shop that will do a more shallow dive for her abilities (or lack there of) and also pay an extra DM to be our 3rd buddy so that someone besides Mom is nearby. Your thoughts?

If anyone has been to Jamaica and knows of a dive shop as great as say Three Amigos in Belize Please do share...

Thank you for your help and I am sincerely looking forward to reading everyone's opinions/advice,
Jacky

 

[Jax]

Jacky, welcome! :wavey:

Your logic and reasoning seemed really quite wonderful and I was going to say, "Kudos!" . . .

Until I saw your location. I'm guessing the misnamed Lake Pleasant . . . . for her first dive? NOooooooooo . . . .








:joke:


You rock, mom.

 

[TSandM]

We haven't certified an 11 year old, but we've certified a couple of 12 year olds and 13 year olds. It all depends on the kid, both in gumption and just plain in size. We had one young student who was simply too small to handle the equipment -- she couldn't wrap her hand around her inflator, and couldn't get the inflator hose on and off. She was game and brave, but just still too small. We've had other kids who just break down at the physical effort that's required to dive in cold water, and would probably be fine somewhere where they could dive with an Al50 and no exposure protection.

Hopefully your daughter is mature enough to realize, from her snorkeling experiences, that not everyplace is like where she is getting certified, and keep her eyes on the real goal. And I also hope that she is big enough and strong enough not to get hopelessly discouraged from the challenge of managing dive gear.

 

[jal102]

Thank you Jax,

Oh yes it is the ever so awful Lake Pleasant that I will not be a part of! If all goes well, she will have the honor of diving with beer fish and fallen branch reefs or maybe sneakers LOL

She is super excited, but I am one of those annoying safety stickler people, so this one she has to earn! I will let you guys know how it goes. Her confined dives are 12/7 and 12/8 and then the next weekend it is Lovely Lake Pleasant time.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond!

Jacky









:joke:


You rock, mom.[/QUOTE]

---------- Post added November 17th, 2013 at 07:16 PM ----------

Dear TSandM,

Thanks for replying. She will be AOK with the filth of that lake, but honestly I never even considered the size issue you mentioned. She lugged her own tank (50) and weights, etc for the few times she went SNUBA, but it never occurred to me that maybe she can't tighten in the tank or attach the reg. Hmmmmm I will let you know what happens after she tries the first time. There should be no surprises to her about the tedium of lugging and setting up gear since she has been on countless dive boats and snorkeled while I dove. She is actually strong as an ox, BUT short and quite small for her age.

Fingers crossed,
Jacky

 

[flots am]

1-What are people's opinions of my decision, keeping her water skills and experience in mind, at allowing her to get certified?

2-We are heading to Jamaica for Xmas and I am hoping to take her for her first dive if class goes well. I would like to find a dive shop that will do a more shallow dive for her abilities (or lack there of) and also pay an extra DM to be our 3rd buddy so that someone besides Mom is nearby. Your thoughts?

I'd wait. 11 is about three years earlier than I'd be comfortable with.

She's probably going to be just fine, however if something bad happens, panic will start easily, and a paniced young diver is likely to forget all training and bolt for the surface, possibly not breathing.

If you're set on doing this, I'd hire an instructor to take her diving someplace, 1:1, really shallow (pool depth) with a hard bottom and no current.

Note that I'm extremely risk averse with other people's children (and adults), so you may make a different decision than I would.

flots.

 

[oly5050user]

I would suggest a private ow class.Not right for a under 12 year old to be in a group with adults , and not fair to the adults that are in the class. Kids learn at different rates and need more attention to be safe.
None of the instructor staff here will take a child under 12 yrs in a group class,only private. Proper fitting bcd is usually not available at most LDS or vacation resorts. Same for wet suits. Buy the kid a wet suit for the ow class ,even in the pool.They get cold way easy and then their limited attention span ( which is about the same as a gnat) is gone..While at it get the correct fitting mask/snorkel/fins/boots as well, not hand me downs from a parent that do not fit properly. Be sure to call the resort ahead of getting there ,or better yet, if the LDS has kid size stuff (very few do) buy it or rent it and take it with you. Get the ow training dives in a private arrangement also. Have a PRO dive with the child and be ready to pay them. Once certified either a parent or dive pro (prefer the dive pro) should dive with the child. If a parent it should be the most experienced one. Have the less experienced parent buddy up with someone else as the parent with the child is watching and responsible for the child ONLY and no one else! No one said it will be cheap!
I have taught many 10 yr olds, private class only, here at Scuba NY and currently have a course with one that should end next week. Her family is going to Bonaire next month.

 

[Frosty]

Jal102-Im dad to five younger divers.(10-17) four fully certified one still not mature enough to do the course.
I can't say I agree with your tough love aproach. Ie dumping her in the "deep end" in a low vis lake in cold conditions.
For certain if she does the course and gets certified she will be a great diver in those conditions.
Personally I prefer to ramp up the task loading for kids rather than the deep end aproach.
Keep in mind its the end result that counts.
So my kids have all started out their diving in ideal conditions. Tropical -sandy bottom and 30foot minimums for viz.
Back home and we have 10 foot viz days steering back to the dropoff spot by compass we have 7mm wetsuit with gloves n hood dives.
Just easing up the task loading step by step. Heck They've got a lifetime to do the "lake pleasant"(here its called lake pupuke) experience.
By "i and me" in reference to training -the kids have been lucky to in essence always have private tuitition by the instructor.
Just the way the timing worked out.
Alll Im trying to say is you might well scare her off -when theres going to be perfect dive conditions to learn to dive over in Jamaca.

 

[diversteve]

Does the LDS have a BC small enough for her? You might see if you can rent it for your trip as I doubt you'll find one small enough in Jamaica - most rental gear there is probably standard rental jackets like the ScubaPro Pilot - one size fits no one well...

Or get one of these: Ranger Junior - Recreational BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems

Might check if they have 50's also - I see 63's at Caribbean destinations but I don't think I've ever seen a 50.

Viz is up a little as it gets colder - 15-20' at around 64^o
http://arizonascuba.com/showthread.php?366-Diving-Tomorrow-and-Sunday-at-Vista-Point&p=1900#post1900

Do a referral and let the kid do her first dives in warm water...

 

[jal102]

Thank you flots am. It is very true that panic can surely set in with a kid a whole lot easier than most adults. That is definitely something to consider. I did not like diving in the Bahamas compared to Belize and other destinations, so it will be interesting to see what Jamaica offers up! The ideal location if I hand picked a spot for a first OW dive for a kid would be Hol Chan Marine Park in Belize as the depths are super shallow and the marine life is plentiful.

My overall plan was to allow her to do this very small class as the local dive shop owner has trained quite a number of kids (I asked) and then have her to an extra paid 1:1 class….almost like a cross check between a refresher and a skill check session.

Thinking over here and thank you again for sharing your thoughts,
Jacky

---------- Post added November 18th, 2013 at 06:04 AM ----------

1- Buy the kid a wet suit for the ow class ,even in the pool.They get cold way easy and then their limited attention span ( which is about the same as a gnat) is gone..While at it get the correct fitting mask/snorkel/fins/boots as well, not hand me downs from a parent that do not fit properly. Wetsuit and personal gear is purchased, so that is one good check mark

2-Be sure to call the resort ahead of getting there ,or better yet, if the LDS has kid size stuff (very few do) buy it or rent it and take it with you. Get the ow training dives in a private arrangement also. I had 2 ideas on this. If she seems to enjoy this, I will purchase her a BCD, if it seems like "fun" to her at the moment, I will rent one here as you suggested to guarantee she has good fitting clothes.

I had planned on hiring/paying for an extra DM to be her buddy so that I can take the time to observe her skills and see what she needs help or strengthening. Thank you again for your ideas. I'll spend some time looking into proper fitting BCDs and see how that works out.

---------- Post added November 18th, 2013 at 06:07 AM ----------

It is great to get advice from a Dad of younger divers! I conjured up that idea because it seemed to match my philosophy of people who go and get certified at a resort in optimal, warm conditions do not have the extra skill sets that I feel I acquired in freezing cold and not so nice water. I have never really considered scaring her off since I seriously think she is half fish and loves all bodies of water, unlike me!

Lots for me to consider and please know I seriously appreciate the advice,
Jacky

---------- Post added November 18th, 2013 at 06:10 AM ----------

Dear Diversteve,

Never thought about finding out if they had 50s so that will be a quick phone call to the resort later today. I will check out the links for BCs as I have found that most times if you use something for an entire week, it is literally cheaper to buy than rent. Since she is small, fit will most likely be an issue so I might alleviate a problem that arises once we get there.

Or get one of these: Ranger Junior - Recreational BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems


Viz is up a little as it gets colder - 15-20' at around 64^o
Diving Tomorrow and Sunday at Vista Point

YUCKY lake, and there is no way I am entering it…although 15-20' is better than the 10 it was when some friends I know to certified recently LOL

Thank you,
Jacky

 

[Dive-aholic]

I've trained 10 and 11 year olds. I've trained 30 somethings. Some of the 30 somethings were more difficult to deal with in the water than the 10 and 11 year olds.

I would be hesitant to put her in a class with 2 others. Some agencies won't even allow that. One of the agencies I teach through limits student ratios to 2 when a 10 or 11 year old is in the class. Dividing the instructor's attention among 3 students with one of them being so young is not a great idea. That being said, contact Kris and Mindy Przeor - Salva Vida Scuba. They are great instructors and have lots of experience with kids. Mindy is a grade school physical education teacher. My wife and I taught them as students and Divemasters and we volunteered for a program Mindy started at her school. We went in and put all her students through Project AWARE and then certified several of the kids and their families. Then we moved to Florida so Kris and Mindy became instructors to keep on with the program. That was 7 years ago. They've been teaching kids to scuba dive since then. You can't go wrong with them.

As for Jamaica, which part of Jamaica are you visiting? Jamaica is a huge island and there are several areas to dive.