Kids & SCUBA Materials ????

[JamesK]

Stacey,

Do you think that the 11year old you certified will be able to handle an emergency? I mean a real emergency. Do they have the physical strength to haul a convulsing or unconcious diver on to a boat, or out of the water? They might do skills like a pro, and have the book down pat, but I do not feel someone that young has the mental ability to handle true emergencies.

 

[WreckWriter]

of teaching kids to dive is a tough one for me. I learned to dive, from my Father, when I was about 10. I got certified a few years later as soon as I was allowed.

Later in life I became an instructor and came to believe that most kids really shouldn't be certified.

Now comes the problem: my son turns 10 in May. He knows, not from me, that he can be certified. He talks about it constantly.

What's one to do? If I deny him, how is he going to feel knowing it was ok for me but not for him? If I let him, how am I to feel if he hurts himself?

It's a dilemma.

Tom

ps- to the original question, yes, if we're going to certify them we should do everything possible to ensure they learn well and easily.

 

[WreckWriter]

JamesK once bubbled...
Stacey,

Do you think that the 11year old you certified will be able to handle an emergency? I mean a real emergency. Do they have the physical strength to haul a convulsing or unconcious diver on to a boat, or out of the water? They might do skills like a pro, and have the book down pat, but I do not feel someone that young has the mental ability to handle true emergencies.

James, you are certainly right but in truth, how many adults who just finished an o/w class are up to this?

Tom

 

[Diversauras]

May be in your worry. I agree with what WW wrote and went through the same dilemma 15 years ago. I certified my son but after certification I chose his dive buddies for a long time, until experience started to count. He is now nearly 30 and I still wish he wouldn't dive except with me but at least I know how unrealistic that now is. I guess I have become my own dad?

 

[CincyBengalsFan]

Everyone has a great point.

But, let's say you have a 13 yr. old that is already full grown (Happens). He or she has a strong mental capacity too. Should you except this person in class and deny, the smaller 12-13 yr. old with the lesser mental capacity, to join class.

Wreckwriter...Maybe you can drop your guns on this issue and take your 10 yr. old diving with YOU ONLY.

 

[JamesK]

WreckWriter once bubbled...


James, you are certainly right but in truth, how many adults who just finished an o/w class are up to this?

Tom

Not Many. However, I still feel that the percentage of adults that can deal with the emergency in a level headed manner is far higher than the percent of 11year old children.

 

[WreckWriter]

CincyBengalsFan once bubbled...
Wreckwriter...Maybe you can drop your guns on this issue and take your 10 yr. old diving with YOU ONLY.

That's what I'm leaning towards too. Thanks.

Tom

 

[WreckWriter]

JamesK once bubbled...

Not Many. However, I still feel that the percentage of adults that can deal with the emergency in a level headed manner is far higher than the percent of 11year old children.

Yea, I can't argue that.

Tom

 

[jonnythan]

CincyBengalsFan once bubbled...
Everyone has a great point.

But, let's say you have a 13 yr. old that is already full grown (Happens). He or she has a strong mental capacity too. Should you except this person in class and deny, the smaller 12-13 yr. old with the lesser mental capacity, to join class.

Wreckwriter...Maybe you can drop your guns on this issue and take your 10 yr. old diving with YOU ONLY.

It's not about being "full grown." No 13 year old is fully developed physiologically. I'm not sure what your motivation is around the specific "full grown" 13 year old, and I'll try not to assume, but the decision whether to instruct and certify someone or not should be entirely up to the instructor. Hopefully, the instructor won't give a C-card to anyone he or she feels isn't fully mentally and physically prepared for the diving a C-card allows.

To answer the question you actually asked, yes. An exceptional 13 year old who is fully capable of diving (and reading and understanding the text) should be allowed to take the class whereas the 13 year old who isn't mentally or physically ready should be denied.

 

[landlocked]

Lets hear from the Venture Scout leaders.

I have a 10 year old that my wife would like to start diving. In voicing some apprehension at the local LDS (they run a venture scout dive program) the LDS said... well I won't tell you what she said, but she definatly is in favor of kids diving.

What is the experience of the scouters on the board?

What about the tests?