Kids and diving

[InTheDrink]

I've two kids, 2 and 5. Both swim like fishes (they were in the water from 5 months onwards) and have zero fear of water: the higher they can jump and the deeper they can go the better from their perspective.

When they're a bit older I'd love them to get into diving, among other things. I know the data out there is sketchy but are there any received minimum ages or recommended ages to take kids diving? I'd like to get them into it as soon as is safe, but no earlier.

Also, it seems obvious to me that taking them on very shallow dives (2m?) for the first while would make sense; where would I come across good info for best practises on starting children out learning?

I've no intention of doing this soon but they are pestering me to find out at what age they can start coming with me so it would be nice to have some kind of answer or date...

TIA,
John

 

[Damselfish]

Some of the agencies will now certify at 10, but lots of people think that's usually too young. When the time comes it's going to depend on how mature the kids are physically, mentally, and emotionally. There are special not-quite-scuba programs for younger kids like Scuba Rangers.

Note that zero fear of water is not necessarily a good thing. Being comfortable is good but the water needs to be respected. Many kids feel invincible and just have no concept of danger which is not a good thing for scuba.

Shallow is not really safer than deep either. The rate of pressure change with depth is greater when you are shallow. Panicking and heading for the surface is bad at any depth and if they hold their breath they can even injure themselves in a pool. I think you're going to be told unanimously that as a non-instructor and relatively new diver you should not be considering teaching your kids diving yourself.

 

[InTheDrink]

Hi Damelfish,

Thanks for the response. I wouldn't dream of trying to teach my kids myself at this point. I would want to be a DM at the very least or whatever relevant qualification. And even then I would favour having someone to teach that is properly qualified to do so. I would not take any chances with my kids lives. But assuming appropriate tuition is available, I was just wondering when it is considered safe, physiologically, to commence the process.

And in terms of fearless: comfortable/fearless - they're pretty much interchangeable at that age I think. Healthy respect will come as they grow. The main thing I *think* is that they are natural in and under the water: it is not alien to them, whereas it was to me until I was much older.

Speaking from a position of complete ignorance, I do find it strange though why you would think that depth is not a significant factor on every major level. Nitrogen loading, water pressure on growing skeletons, the multiple less controllable factors at depth would seem to make it a no brainer to me that you keep kids shallow. Plus, much like driving slowly, it's harder diving shallow so skill levels would be better. Of course there's two sides to that last point, if it's harder, they're more likely to screw it up. But overall I find it surprising that shallow would not be considered MUCH safer for children? I am happy to be educated otherwise, but holding their breath is going to cause major issues from any depth so wouldn't currently take that on board as a proper argument for not factoring in depth - again, I'm happy to be explained why I'm wrong.

Thanks for your post.

J

 

[Underwater Ogre]

Hi Damelfish,


Speaking from a position of complete ignorance, I do find it strange though why you would think that depth is not a significant factor on every major level. Nitrogen loading, water pressure on growing skeletons, the multiple less controllable factors at depth would seem to make it a no brainer to me that you keep kids shallow. Plus, much like driving slowly, it's harder diving shallow so skill levels would be better. Of course there's two sides to that last point, if it's harder, they're more likely to screw it up. But overall I find it surprising that shallow would not be considered MUCH safer for children? I am happy to be educated otherwise, but holding their breath is going to cause major issues from any depth so wouldn't currently take that on board as a proper argument for not factoring in depth - again, I'm happy to be explained why I'm wrong.

Thanks for your post.

J

Depth related to air expansion...the greatest pressure difference are closer you get to the surface.
if your child is breathing compressed gas at almost any depth and ascends quickly while holding their breath...well...the results are not very nice. Remember the whole "never hold your breath"?...kids have to grasp the concept, not the easiest thing to remember when you are playing Mr. Submarine.

I have a 13 year old that has been a fish since she was born. We started Discover Scuba at 11 and after 4 of these I have decided to let her take her OW. I am still apprehensive as she, like all kids can have lapses in responsibility and judgment...not good in this sport. Will keep her on a tight leash with lots of back up buddies for the next few years.

Good Luck,
O

 

[adurso]

There are a number of factors to consider as some have mentioned:
mental maturity-one of the arguments against young certification is Piaget's theory of cognitive development, children around 10 are in the concrete operational stage; they are very literal, the argument is that they cannot absractly ascertain a solution to an emergency
physical maturity-little kids cannot lug gear, small children are more prone to hypothermia due to surface area and mass
physiological issues-smaller eustachian tubes, more difficult to clear
effect of nitrogen on epiphyseal plates, some information suggests negative effects on growth

With this in mind, my daughter was certified at age 10, and has never looked back.

You must keep in mind when diving with kids that you are for all intents and purposes diving solo. You must watch them like a hawk.

The payoff is that seeing your children gaze in wonder at the new things they see can never be duplicated. You are giving your children a gift that few other children ever dream of.

 

[Gene_Hobbs]

The papers below are from the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal.

(I know this is a long list so if I were picking one, the article by Drew Richardson sums up the PADI position.)

Vandenhoven G, Collard F, Schamp E. Children and diving: medical aspects. Eight years sports medical follow-up of the first scuba diving club for children in Belgium. SPUMS J 2003; 33: 70-73. RRR ID: 7774

Cvitanovich, A, Langton, P. Children and diving: a paediatric perspective. SPUMS J 2003; 33(2) (Editorial) RRR ID: 7775

Davis FM. Decompression sickness in a 14-year-old diver. SPUMS J 2003; 33: 75-76 RRR ID: 7776

Assessing childrenÃÔ fitness for scuba diving. SPUMS J 2003; 33(2) (Letter to Editor, Medical Journal of Australia) Published as: Walker RM. Assessing childrenÃÔ fitness for scuba diving. MJA 2002; 176: 450. RRR ID: 7777

Walker RM. How old is old enough? SPUMS J 2003; 33(2): 78-80. RRR ID: 7778

Children in diving: how young is too young? SPUMS J 2003; 33(2) (Editorial) Reprinted with kind permission of PADI International from The Undersea Journal, 1999; 4th quarter: 88-92. RRR ID: 7779

Richardson D. Children and diving: the recreational-diving training perspective. SPUMS J 2003; 33(2): 83-89. (NOTE: Article followed by book review of "Children and scuba diving: a resource guide for instructors and parents." Reviewed by Taylor, L) RRR ID: 7780

UHMS Abstracts:

A CASE OF RECURRING NEUROLOGIC DECOMPRESSION ILLNESS: OR IS IT?
Worth, Patel, and Freiberger. 2005 UHMS Abstract. RRR ID: 1685

Treatment of Diving Accidents in a Pediatric Population in Hawaii, 1983-2003
Smerz. 2004 UHMS Abstract. RRR ID: 1543

DIVING WITH CHILDREN: REVIEW OF EXPERIENCE REPORTS AND OPINIONS - AMSTERDAM EXPERT MEETING 02 AND GENEVA ROUNDTABLE 03.
Wendling. 2004 UHMS Abstract. RRR ID: 1598

DIVING FATALITIES INVOLVING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: 1989-2002.
Caruso, Uguccioni, Ellis, Dovenbarger, and Bennett. 2004 UHMS Abstract. RRR ID: 1599

Children and Diving: Yours, Mine and Ours.
Taylor. 2004 UHMS Abstract. RRR ID: 1550

CHILDREN TREATED FOR DCI AND PULMONARY OXYGEN TOXICITY.
Ambriz, Abarca, and Torp. 2003 UHMS Abstract. RRR ID: 1352

There was also some good discussion from Simon Mitchell on RebreatherWorld recently.

Hope you find this useful.
Good luck!



Please check this out too...

 

[InTheDrink]

Gene, can't thank you enough. Seriously, much appreciated. That's my weekend's reading sorted

J

 

[InTheDrink]

Adurso - don't worry they'll be watched like a hawk but I do want to give them these experiences. And yes, young. I like your ten, that seems like a good compromise. What course did they do then? Straight OW? J

 

[adurso]

Adurso - don't worry they'll be watched like a hawk but I do want to give them these experiences. And yes, young. I like your ten, that seems like a good compromise. What course did they do then? Straight OW? J

SSI JR Open Water, limited as to depth, parent promises to dive with the kids or have a professional dive with them.
My whole family dives and it has been a great experience for all of them, my children have traveled and met people all over the world, all from diving

 

[Diver0001]

As an instructor I don't--as a general rule--like to train students under the age of 12 or who are small for their age. Most kids younger that that have some trouble with the theory and many are physically too small to deal with the weight (and size) of the gear.

R..