Minimum age for Scuba Diving

[LakeCountyDiver]

I think it has to be a case by case basis. I have dove with a 12yr old JR. Advanced diver and thought she was a very good diver. I have dove with adults that I would not ever get in the water with again. so age has nothing to do with it.

If you were born around water and grew up in it then you may be better off to starting SCUBA at a younger age. It starts with Open-mindedness and willingness. If you dont have them you will not be a good diver and will end up not diving or dead.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I think the minimum age really depends on the maturity of the child ... and the maturity of the parent ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[knfmn]

I said 15, but I would like to qualify that. There were three kids in my OW class, one 15, one 13 and one 12. The 15 year old was so-so. He had a "typical teenage" attitude. I.E. he acted like he couldn't be bothered paying attention, etc. He then turned in 100% on all his tests. I spoke with him a little in private, and got the feeling that he was super excited about doing this, he just didn't want to show it. The 13 year old was awesome. He listened very quietly and carefully to everything that was said and demonstrated all the skills perfectly. He seemed to be well on his way toward enjoying this sport for a long and healthy time. The 12 year old was a menace. I wouldn't have trusted him to get in a bathtub by himself. I know he wound up getting certified, but if I was the instructor there is no way I would have done it. He didn't fill in any of his paperwork and spent most of his time in class doodling in his book (when he got there...he was 45 minute to an hour late both days). When we went into the pool he was too busy scooting off and doing flips underwater to pay any attention to what he was supposed to be learning. This kid, who weighed maybe 90 pounds soaking wet managed to suck through his tank in about 20 minutes, which absolutely floored me. I hope he loses all interest in this and doesn't touch a tank and BCD for about 20 years, because I'm pretty sure he's going to get himself and maybe someone else killed if he keeps it up.

Basically, I'm in agreement with the other folks who've already replied....it depends on the maturity level. I would have no hesitation about diving with the 13 year old or even the 15 year old in my class. I wouldn't go to a water park with the 12 year. He was an absolute menace.

Kristopher

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

By contrast I had a 12-year old girl as an OW student last summer who was one of the best students I've ever taught. She struggled a bit with the physics and physiology ... but she worked at it until I was satisfied she understood it at least as well as her dad. She also had some difficulties with the tables, but that was mostly because I think she wasn't that good at arithmetic ... she clearly understood the concepts of relationship between depth, bottom time, and surface interval. But in the water, she was a fish. Oh, we had some fun. All I had to do was show her what I wanted her to do and she did it. After a while it turned into a game of "let's see if you can do *this*!" At one point I thought I had her ... hovering head down, fins up, a foot off the bottom of the pool ... took off my mask, pulled my reg out, grinned at her, put it back in, put my mask on, cleared it, and signaled for her to do it ... she did ... Checkout dives, with all that neoprene and weight, was a bit more of a challenge for her ... but her final exercise was to pull her "unconscious" dad from the bottom at 20 feet, bring him to the surface, and tow him to the beach. She did it flawlessly. I don't know who was more proud ... her dad, or me ....

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[stargost]

I think the minimum age really depends on the maturity of the child ... and the maturity of the parent ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I completely agree, but this is not enough.
And with maturity comes knowledge and concerns, as there are risks associated to kids diving that are not linked to maturity.
Long term pressure exposure, and a few other, explained here:

Why I Do NOT Train Kids In Scuba Diving

Even if you limit the depth to 40ft like Padi does, it is far enough to generate some, even the most minor risks of little DCS, which impact on the future growth of the child bones you have no idea about.

But like many other sports, it's a decision liked to compromises.

I have an extremely mature kid, certified since 11y, from Padi JOW, and has about 30dives. If I dont really care whether or not an OW class is enough to make good adult divers, the JOW is far from enough to certify any kid, whether they'll dive some instructors or their parents.

I/we taught her much more, read many stories (best: diver down, where some stupid kids and adults makes some stupid decisions and die)
Now she's the one pushing me not to take any risks (which I don't, but she stopped me from diving with a patched wing once). She is one of the reasons I went to a certain form a training and diving approach.
Still if we dive together from time to time, she will not be able to dive without me or her mother before she also goes through more advance training.

But the link above, and the potential risk of minor DCS happening even in simple and easy rec training (added risk of drysuit diving learning curve) gets me very worried.

Even moving forward, the parents will hold the responsibility to have put their own child into this activity, which can remain dangerous, sometime more than American footbal, boxing or other !

A potential answer to the poll would be when the child stops growing (to limit the potential impact on bubbles in bones...) ... but then for some it's between 18 and 20 !
Very difficult to wait this long to enjoy a very cool family activity !

 

[gypsyjim]

My two did their first training at 10 and 15. Both did well, and are very safe divers today, but probably the fact they had both been training in martial arts for a number of years prior, had an impact on their ability to pay attention and follow examples, even at 10.

Not sure 10 would work for many, although there are also many 17 or 18yr olds who lack common sense, and ability to focus and listen, so age is less important, I believe, than attitude and maturity.

 

[Paladin]

padi says 12 years old

PADI says 10 years old.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

My agency -SEI- requires 12 but before doing the crossover I was a PADI DM and assisted in the training of a number of 10 & 11 yr olds. Like others I have seen 10 yr olds I dive with before even getting near water with their parents. It must be considered on a case by case basis when dealing with anyone IMO. Just because someone is over 18 and capable of diving does not mean they should. I will turn down a student of any age that exhibits reckless or unsafe attitudes. Come to me and say I want done in two weeks and I don't need all that stuff you have in your class like the rescue skills and I will explain why they are there. Say you still think they are not necessary and you can find someone else to train you.

In my experience with the kids that have actually been allowed into the class they are far more focused, attentive, and safety conscious than many adults. If they were not they would not get into the class. I also agree with Trace's position in post #10 when it comes to age. My experience has also fallen along those lines.

 

[Insta-Gator]

Back in the day, I believe NASDS required 15, but I'm not sure. As I recall, the LDS said my son couldn't start at 12 because his lungs had not fully developed and the compressed air may cause injury. And I'm all for building relationships with youngsters. Quality time and proper role models are needed more each day. But consider the emotional trama if a 10 or 12 year old were diving with an adult, the adult needed help and the 10 year old was not able to. Could ruin his/her life. Sometimes we adults have to think one step beyond what our children are thinking.

 

[TMHeimer]

The consensus seems to be it depends on the individual youth. I voted for 15, trying to recall my maturity levels from 40 years ago. Maybe there should be some sort of test, if possible, to determine who can start when on a case to case basis. Like setting a legal drinking age that is best for all, an ideal solution would seem impossible.