Scuba trip with an infant

[TwoBitTxn]

We have done long weekends twice and left the kiddo at home. It allowed for some nice quiet time for the two of us to reconnect. I couldn't do a week like that. I have considered the BYO sitter idea. We have one that will be 18 soon so bringing her out of the country would be ALOT easier.

Thanks for asking the question. I have been wondering the same thing and just never asked it here.

TwoBit

 

[Dee]

herman once bubbled...
I realize that this is hard to do and I am sure that many people are going to dissagree with me but as someone who has spent several HOURS beside a baby screaming to the top of it's lungs on a crowded airplane, PLEASE leave your baby at home. I understand the child does not understand why his ears hurt and that you can't always keep them quite but is it right to make me suffer for hours? Long flights are not the place for a baby.

this is one of my pet peeves while on vacation. The long flights are just part of it. And what about damage to a baby's ears at altitude?

Alot of people either don't have kids or they leave their own kids at home so they can enjoy a trip without them, for various reasons. Having to put up with someone elses kids is not in their plans either. Parents love their kids but that doesn't mean everyone else does! If your kids are young enough you can't stand to be parted from them for a few days, then stay at home with them.

I don't have kids by choice, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy them. But when I'm on vacation, I don't want them on the dive boat, or included in everything the group does. Guess that's one reason we're careful who we travel with and only stay at adult resorts! To each their own...

signed, Broomhilda :mean:

 

[Cave Diver]

herman once bubbled...
I realize that this is hard to do and I am sure that many people are going to dissagree with me but as someone who has spent several HOURS beside a baby screaming to the top of it's lungs on a crowded airplane, PLEASE leave your baby at home. I understand the child does not understand why his ears hurt and that you can't always keep them quite but is it right to make me suffer for hours? Long flights are not the place for a baby.

This doesnt just apply to babies. On my return flight from Cayman last month, there was a little girl about 5 or so sitting in the aisle across from me and one row forward. She was squirming and holding her ears and tears were running down her face, but she was doing her best not to cry out loud. Her mother was trying to show her how to clear her ears but it obviously wasnt working. I finally leaned over and offered her some gum to chew and that seemed to help a little, but even after landing I could tell she was still in obvious pain.

I recall this happening to me once when I was real young also. The pain lasted for hours after landing before I finally managed to clear my ears. It was no fun at all, and certainly adds something else to think about when travelling with yung uns'

 

[Aquamaniac]

Here is a hint as to what I do.......

 

[Drew Sailbum]

The littlest ones are not quite as big a handful as the slightly older set. Still, childcare is an obvious consideration.

First, ask the dive operator if you are considering bring the child out on the boat. I know that our operation would say no to one that young, so don't assume that is an option at all dive ops.

Check carefully with the resort about care for infants. You may need to confirm care schedules ahead of time, as most resort childcare providers will take very few infants. This may require deciding which days you will be diving and not being quite as flexible for last-minute changes.

You may be able to arrange childcare at a resort other than the one you are staying with. Some of the larger resorts run full scale day programs with fulltime childcare staff offering day programs for the older kids. Usually the kids love these programs as they are geared to age appropriate activities.

 

[AquaTec]

some tricks for kids and flying

if they are infants, a passafier, with some jam on it

as they get older, gum and candy.

as long as they keep there jaw moving from prior to descent all the way to the ground there will not be a problem.

as for the problem stated above. think of diving, once there is pain it is hard to clear your ears, unless you ascend slightly....this is not possible in a plain. so you must have forsight and understand ear clearing

 

[Natasha]

When I was a young mother, I was a church going, bible reading woman. The bible says Moses crossed the Red Sea at the pace the children could go.
I took that as "Don't make the infants and toddlers keep up with your pace, slow down to theirs."
So taking them on a dive boat would have been crazy. Infants and toddlers, can't keep up with what we want to do as adults. And other adults should not have to be on a dive boat with our children. I would be appauled if I saw an infant on a dive boat. You'll never find one on a trip I put together. I don't have a problem with them at a resort with a nanny. And the ideas Aqua stated for the airplane are very good, and work. Just not on a dive boat.
Please don't take this as I don't like infants. I love infants. But they have their places, and most of the time they would rather be there.

 

[Patience]

To be honest, it never once occured to me to consider taking Claire on the dive boat! Her Papa (grandpa) can't wait to take her fishing, but I won't let her go out on his little boat until she's old enough for her life vest, at a minimum. (Sorry, Papa.)

I'm sure the boat itself will be cramped enough, with divers and gear, that an infant would be superfluous.

 

[Natasha]

Patience:
It was Aqua Tech that said he brought his kids on the dive boat. It was in his #3 post saying what he has done.
While I liked some of his other ideas I didn't care for this one.
I'm glad you were not considering it.

 

[sdexcalibur]

Awesome question. My wife and I were wondering what to do with our two little ones. 2 and 8. Thinking about bringing a sitter along. Or maybe leave them home, no I'll get a sitter down their. OK FINE
I'm still confused on what to do!