Azza:
Can you give me the reference in the PADI Instructor Manual that states this?
I am looking now but all I can find is;
After certification, a 10 or 11-year-old Junior Open Water Diver must dive with a parent, guardian or PADI Professional. Dives must not exceed 12 metres/40 feet.
Doesnt say all Junior Open Water Divers, just those who are aged 10 and 11.
Now my training standards state
Do not plan or conduct any training dives for 12-14 year old Junior Divers in excess of 21 metres/70 feet, nor any dives for 10-11 year old divers deeper than 12 metres/40 feet.
Here's the quote.
Junior Open Water Diver
Certification is open to student divers under the age of 15 through the PADI
Junior Open Water Diver and Junior Scuba Diver programs. To enroll, individuals
must be at least 10-years-old prior to the start date of the
course. (See Special Requirements for 10 and 11-year-olds on next page.)
Junior divers must meet all requirements for Open Water Diver or
PADI Scuba Diver certification other than age. Certification depends
on competency and student ability to understand dive concepts.
Students must independently complete written PADI Open Water Diver
Quizzes and Exams oral exams are not permitted for divers under
the age of 15 (except when diagnosed with a learning disability see
General Standards and Procedures for exam policy.) Keep quiz and
exam answer sheets as part of each Junior divers records.
A 12 to 14-year-old Junior Open Water Diver or Junior Scuba Diver is qualified
to dive only when accompanied by another certified diver who is of legal
age. Since Junior PADI Scuba Divers must dive under the direct supervision of a
PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor, this meets this standards
intent. Legal age is defined as an individual who is at least 18 years of age,
except where law defines an older age; in this case, the law becomes the guideline.
Its recommended that a legal-aged family member accompany Junior
students by taking the course with them.
1-10 One: Course Standards and Overview
Junior Open Water Divers or Junior
Scuba Divers may upgrade their
certification level to PADI Open Water
Diver or Scuba Diver when they reach
the age of 15 with no additional
requirements. (See the Replacement
Card Procedures and Upgrade Procedures
in the General Standards and
Procedures section.) If more than one
year has passed since the diver earned
the Junior certification, when requesting
an upgrade, it is recommended
that the diver complete a Scuba
Review program.
Special Requirements for 10 and 11-year-olds
Prior to the start of a Junior Scuba Diver or Junior Open Water
Diver course, you must have both a parent (legal guardian) and
the child (aged 10-11) watch the Youth Diving: Responsibility and
Risks video or thoroughly review the Youth Diving: Responsibility
and Risks Flipchart. Both parent and child must read and
sign the Youth Diving: Responsibility and Risks Acknowledgment
form.
During any confined open water or open water training dive
that includes 10 and 11-year-olds, the maximum instructor-tostudent
diver ratio is 4:1. No more than two children aged 10-
11 may be included in the group of four student divers. You
may not increase this ratio with the use of certified assistants.
Certification dives for 10 and 11-year-olds must not exceed 12
metres/40 feet.
After certification, a 10 or 11-year-old Junior Scuba Diver or
Junior Open Water Diver must dive with a parent, guardian or
PADI Professional. Dives must not exceed 12 metres/40 feet.