emtdan
Contributor
I am just curious, does anybody know the ages for sNuba?
That is, surface supplied air?
Maybe you want to look into that....
That is, surface supplied air?
Maybe you want to look into that....
Snuba
- Thread starter emtdan
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Snuba is around 8 here. There are inherent risks associated with snuba and scuba so do your research before you decide...the operator involved in trying to sell you something may not have all of the information you need for kids.
Our two boys have been doing little scuba experiences since they were about 8; a friend's kid since around 6. All of us are well informed and ensured that safety and comfort were top priorities. Pool skills and understanding of the No-no's were mastered before heading into the ocean. Max depth was 4m (about 12 feet or so I think) for their first several tries; 6m before certification. The older boys (17 and 15) now have their Rescue Diver certs & lots of dives and the younger (now 13) is not yet certified as he is just not there yet mentally or emotionally.
Every child is different and each parent must make the initial assessment - then talk to a diving doctor and your professional dive team. Good luck...and start saving $$
Our two boys have been doing little scuba experiences since they were about 8; a friend's kid since around 6. All of us are well informed and ensured that safety and comfort were top priorities. Pool skills and understanding of the No-no's were mastered before heading into the ocean. Max depth was 4m (about 12 feet or so I think) for their first several tries; 6m before certification. The older boys (17 and 15) now have their Rescue Diver certs & lots of dives and the younger (now 13) is not yet certified as he is just not there yet mentally or emotionally.
Every child is different and each parent must make the initial assessment - then talk to a diving doctor and your professional dive team. Good luck...and start saving $$
Recently i have been thinking a lot about sNuba diving. Yes, that is with a N.
I know that it is shallow diving with surface supplied air. I have read the website,
http://www.snuba.com/
and have found it somewhat unhelpful.
I understand that it is basicly a tank, with 20' hose, and a weight belt? Have there been any accidents? Where is it used?
What are the qualifications for a "guide"?
Is it safe, in your opinion?
I would like to know what you think of this sect of our sport.
thanks a lot
DES
I know that it is shallow diving with surface supplied air. I have read the website,
http://www.snuba.com/
and have found it somewhat unhelpful.
I understand that it is basicly a tank, with 20' hose, and a weight belt? Have there been any accidents? Where is it used?
What are the qualifications for a "guide"?
Is it safe, in your opinion?
I would like to know what you think of this sect of our sport.
thanks a lot
DES
When I was in Cozumel in August I stayed at the Hotel Cozumel (Brias) and they had about a half a dozen units set up for folks to try. One large hose went to a float that was located about 30 feet from the shore. There was a manifold setup and so about six Snuba units could be used at one time. There was a regular scuba tank that provided the air supply for the setup.
I watched several non divers try it and basically the helmet goes over you head and rests on your shoulders. The helmet weighs about 40 to 50 pounds and you have to stay vertical and it allow you to walk on the bottom like the old hard hat divers.
These setups had about 50 foot hoses which was enough to allow you to descend a ladder and then walk out on a sandy bottom in about 20 feet of water.
They were letting the hotel guests try it for free. They had a safety diver in the water who could assist you if you fell over or couldn't make it back up the ladder with the weight.
Each group of divers was in the water about 20 minutes.
I talked to the folks after they came out of the water and they said they had a good time. I think it would be disappointment for a diver.
Jim
Louisiana
I watched several non divers try it and basically the helmet goes over you head and rests on your shoulders. The helmet weighs about 40 to 50 pounds and you have to stay vertical and it allow you to walk on the bottom like the old hard hat divers.
These setups had about 50 foot hoses which was enough to allow you to descend a ladder and then walk out on a sandy bottom in about 20 feet of water.
They were letting the hotel guests try it for free. They had a safety diver in the water who could assist you if you fell over or couldn't make it back up the ladder with the weight.
Each group of divers was in the water about 20 minutes.
I talked to the folks after they came out of the water and they said they had a good time. I think it would be disappointment for a diver.
Jim
Louisiana
The thing to keep in mind, is it only takes 1.5 psi of positive pressure to cause an arterial gas embolism. That means at a depth of 3 feet, and easily from 6 or 10 feet, if that child takes a deep breath then freaks and hold their breath while swimming to the surface... they will most likely die. There was a father who killed his 6 year old son in a 6 foot pool several years ago by letting him breath off his octo.
My goal is to get as many people into the sport as possible. I hope all these kids grow up to love scuba - who knows... maybe one day they'll buy something from ScubaToys or I'll get to dive with them on a trip. I can understand how parents would want to share this with their children. But if you think how you would feel due to an accident causing an AGE in your pool, or on your next trip... you might decide the 12 year old thing is a good idea. I know Padi allows 10, but the voting members of Naui let it be known loud and clear that although it could make us money... we would prefer to leave the age at 12 for the reasons outlined above. Although I have been an instructor for years, and certified well over 1000 divers, I did not certify my step son until age 14. And I have had extensive training and experience with problem management with students.
And, it does not matter if that air is delivered by scuba or snuba - either way it will be just as deadly when introduced into the blood stream and rushes to the brain...
Just food for thought. You decide if the gains are worth the risk.
My goal is to get as many people into the sport as possible. I hope all these kids grow up to love scuba - who knows... maybe one day they'll buy something from ScubaToys or I'll get to dive with them on a trip. I can understand how parents would want to share this with their children. But if you think how you would feel due to an accident causing an AGE in your pool, or on your next trip... you might decide the 12 year old thing is a good idea. I know Padi allows 10, but the voting members of Naui let it be known loud and clear that although it could make us money... we would prefer to leave the age at 12 for the reasons outlined above. Although I have been an instructor for years, and certified well over 1000 divers, I did not certify my step son until age 14. And I have had extensive training and experience with problem management with students.
And, it does not matter if that air is delivered by scuba or snuba - either way it will be just as deadly when introduced into the blood stream and rushes to the brain...
Just food for thought. You decide if the gains are worth the risk.
Corigan
Contributor
I believe the gentleman referring to the big helmet on the head is making a reference to sea trek helmet diving and not snuba. Snuba just looks like a hookah system on the surface.
Matt
Matt
dsaxe01:
I'd guess the guide is a scuba DM or higher (SSI, PADI, NAUI, BSAC etc), but you might want to check.
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
Contributor
I did some snuba in Hawaii this summer. I was there with my non-diver buddy to be the best man in his wedding. I was diving as much as possible and he really wanted to try some diving.
We took the whole family on a snorkelling/party boat the day after the wedding, and they had a SNUBA operator there where you paid a bit extra and got to snuba while the rest of the folks snorkelled. So he and I went snuba-ing.
They had this float setup with one or two tanks in it and a hookah regulator setup. We each had a standard second stage and a 25 or so foot hose. There were five of us and a guide on scuba. We towed the surface float and tanks along by our hoses.
I found I was always pretty much straining to go deeper and tow the boat thingy. It was comfortable enough, but you had to watch to not get all tangled with the other people. Being all tied together with other folks was weird compared to real diving. My buddy, having only snorkelled, LOVED it. I can imagine that it would be super fun if it was the first time you breathed under water.
The guy who was our guide gave us a safety talk...real quick, a few hand signals, a few thoughts about compressed air, but really, there's a reason scuba cert classes take everything slower, and build step by step. I could see how if you were prone to freaking out, you could still really get hurt. A quick briefing, and 10 minutes later, you're blowing bubbles.
The guide claimed the organization had a flawless safety record. Everyone on our jaunt was really chill, though only two of us had dove before. All the non-divers loved it big time.
I would think as long as you were trained on the scuba concepts, or at least knew to never ever hold your breath, and if you're in calm water, it's relatively safe. Basically, I think it's a lightweight "resort" way to experience a taste of diving, but if you want to dive, you should learn to dive the proper way. For kids...well, I would have LOVED a snuba setup in my folks pool when I was a kid. The garden hose didn't work AT ALL
Hope that helps
Gregg
EDIT: Duh...meant to say too. They threw a few weights on us. And two of the people on my "dive" were pretty young guys. They did great and had a great time. One was a certified diver. I'd guess they were 14 tops.
We took the whole family on a snorkelling/party boat the day after the wedding, and they had a SNUBA operator there where you paid a bit extra and got to snuba while the rest of the folks snorkelled. So he and I went snuba-ing.
They had this float setup with one or two tanks in it and a hookah regulator setup. We each had a standard second stage and a 25 or so foot hose. There were five of us and a guide on scuba. We towed the surface float and tanks along by our hoses.
I found I was always pretty much straining to go deeper and tow the boat thingy. It was comfortable enough, but you had to watch to not get all tangled with the other people. Being all tied together with other folks was weird compared to real diving. My buddy, having only snorkelled, LOVED it. I can imagine that it would be super fun if it was the first time you breathed under water.
The guy who was our guide gave us a safety talk...real quick, a few hand signals, a few thoughts about compressed air, but really, there's a reason scuba cert classes take everything slower, and build step by step. I could see how if you were prone to freaking out, you could still really get hurt. A quick briefing, and 10 minutes later, you're blowing bubbles.
The guide claimed the organization had a flawless safety record. Everyone on our jaunt was really chill, though only two of us had dove before. All the non-divers loved it big time.
I would think as long as you were trained on the scuba concepts, or at least knew to never ever hold your breath, and if you're in calm water, it's relatively safe. Basically, I think it's a lightweight "resort" way to experience a taste of diving, but if you want to dive, you should learn to dive the proper way. For kids...well, I would have LOVED a snuba setup in my folks pool when I was a kid. The garden hose didn't work AT ALL
Hope that helps
Gregg
EDIT: Duh...meant to say too. They threw a few weights on us. And two of the people on my "dive" were pretty young guys. They did great and had a great time. One was a certified diver. I'd guess they were 14 tops.
Corigan:
You are correct Matt. Helmet diving is what is offered in front of Hotel Cozumel, not SNUBA. SNUBA operators in Cozumel are Sand Dollar Sports and pap Hogs. I think there may be one other company offering it too, but not 100% sure.
Snuba is a raft that floats on the surface and holds a scuba tank. Attached to the tank are two 20 foot hoses and regulators. This allows you to breath underwater and dive to a maximum depth of 20 feet.
Snuba http://www.sanddollarsports.com/Snuba.htm
Helmet diving http://www.sanddollarsports.com/ChankHelmet.htm
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