Sasy

[art.chick]

I have been assisting in a SASY class (supplied air snorkelling for Youth) and have enjoyed the challenge of being part of a new program as it solidifies. Does anyone have kids in one of these programs or teach one? Do kids prefer it to regular snorkelling?

 

[Liquid]

What is "suplied air snorkeling"?

I've tought regular snorkeling, but I have no idea what this is.

 

[Ed Jewell]

Well, recalling from memory, the equipment of a SASY system includes a small cylinder (about the size of a 30-40 cu ft pony bottle) a jacket style buoyancy vest and a regulator comprising of a primary second stage and a SPG. When a child uses this system ( of course under the supervision of an instructor or guardian) the child is able to experience breathing compressed air while remaining at the surface. The system does not allow the child to descend below the surface.

I believe both Scubapro and Aqua Lung supply such systems.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

Well, call me mean-spirited and intolerant but ...

If the child (or adult) is too young, immature or un-disciplined to learn to use a snorkel he/she should NOT be placed into the water FACE DOWN with a limited gas supply and then provided
with a SNORKEL to use when the gas supply is exhausted (or to
use in an emergency)

REMEMBER !!! the biggest REASON for SASA/SASY is because
the child/adult CANNOT/WILLNOT learn to use a snorkel so what
is the point of having a snorkel (which they don't know how to
use) attached to the mask for use "when needed".

 

[Ed Jewell]

Liquid,

Check out the PADI web site (www.padi.com). In the recreational section padi explains the SASY program. I guess this is another program PADI is using to target a younger demographic. I'm not sure the minimum age PADI sets for this experience.

 

[voidware]

I tried that once. There was so much bouyancy that I had to grab rocks from the shore. It did make my ascent from 95 feet easier, just let go.

brandon

ps: seriously, why would kids need this. give em a snorkel--that's how I learned.

 

[art.chick]

In SASY, no actual snorkel is attached to the mask. I do not intend to strongly defend the whole concept; it may fly & may fail for reasons mentioned above. What makes the system different from regular snorkelling is that kids can't dive below the surface, they get used to using the equipment that a certified diver uses thus preparing them to think in terms of checking a pressure guage & assembling gear and it looks more "grown-up." Surely, there is much more cost involved than for a simple snorkel. But (at least with the systems I have seen), the floatation elements are removeable & weights can be put in the pockets if the child becomes ready for scuba training. I am interested to hear the experience of those who have observed the kids learning both approaches. What some kids find disappointing is that they CAN'T dive down on SASY whereas they can learn some skindiving with a regular snorkel. What are your young students saying? How do the parents regard this as a way for kids to transition into the sport?

 

[nickjb]

Sounds good to me. I expect most beginners would benefit from getting some experience of scuba equipment without the added stress of being submerged. It should make the first real dive a much more enjoyable and relaxed event.

 

[Jarhead]

for the kindergarden through elementary school age kids. It has it's pros and cons like everything else, but it does get them used to:
1. having their face in the water
2. breathing off a regulator

Plus it teases them by letting them see what is happening at depth, but not letting them get there.

Jarhead

 

[devilfish]

A child face down in the water with floatation device forcing their faces submerged, the only way to breathe is through the regulator, and if it falls out the child must fight the bc to lift the head out to breathe. Some money hungry genius came up with this concept. Want children to have fun in the water and get ready for scuba some day, give em a mask, fins and snorkle.