Tank size for kids

[tsunami7]

I have a daughter that turns 10 in a few months and really wants to get certified. She's the youngest and the only one in the family not able to scuba. Just curious what size tank I should be looking at.

Thanks,

 

[g1138]

Al 40 or Al 50.

If she's a big girl for her age, then possibly an Al 63.
The 50 and 63 would be tanks she could grow into and possibly dive even when she get's her adult cert. It will be relegated to short shallow dives at that point. I myself get around 40min dives to 40ft with a good 1000psi in reserve; avg SAC 0.5cuft.

 

[tsunami7]

Haha, she's not a big girl, she's a pip-squeak, takes after my wife! She's turning ten but I would say she's closer to a an 8-year old in size. Smallest in her class, smallest on her soccer team, etc.. Of course, she's a teenager in her own mind (trying to keep up with the older crew).

 

[crosshairs]

I say put say 120 on her back......start her off right..

All kidding aside, an al40 would probably be fine for a while...

 

[DivemasterDennis]

She may still be able to handle a 50 cft, but we use 30 cft tanks for kids her size to good effect. It's a fairly standard size, and you can find them on line. Height of the tank is probably more important that girth as you fit it to her. The tank should be secure without knocking on the back of her legs, and without the tank valve or 1st stage hitting her in the head.
DivemasterDennis

 

[WetLens]

My granddaughter used an 80 for most of her pool work and a 63 all open-water work and subsequent dives (15+ to date). She could handle the 80 in the water, but not out. The 63 worked fine and she, too, is a squirt (75-80#). Biggest issue we had with her comfort and performance underwater was the BC - we tried a dozen S and XS BCs and all were too big. Fitted my Oxycheq 18# wing/soft pack for her, but ended up finding an Oceanic kid's BC on eBay and it worked great. Her Mom (also small) used the Oxycheq. Highly recommend spending the time to find a good fitting BC above all else. Next biggest issue was finding fins and boots that fit properly. Tough to spend a lot of $ on something she'll grow out of in a year, but worth it for her to have a good experience UW. I used to keep 50s on hand when I was teaching, but find the 63/65/67 to be a more useful all-around tank. By all means, go for a 40 if you have other uses for the tank, but understand the limitations imposed by such a small tank. Also understand that you'll not find 40s to rent anywhere you travel. Much better luck finding 63s.

---------- Post added January 14th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ----------

One more thing (well, actually, three) - miflex regulator hose, a short Octo hose (standard reg hose) and a small mouthpiece increased comfort considerably.

 

[packrat12]

My daughter learned at 11 and is tiny. Now at 13 she is ~80 lbs (one of the smallest in her class and all of her gear is XS). We trained with 50s and switched to 80s once she was certified. We help her a little when on a charter boat to get in and out of the water, and more or less just push her in when she is on my boat . I found that I like not having to worry about finding smaller tanks when we go out and she has not seemed to have any issues when she is in the water with the larger tanks. As a side benefit for us, she sucks air fast so the 80 allows her to dive as almost as long as my wife and I can.

 

[freewillie]

My daughter is about 4' 10'' and around 90'ish lbs. She trained in and prefers the AL 63. She can handle an AL80 on a boat with help, but even in the water it is so long it bumps her head and her bottom.

 

[rhwestfall]

I've put an AL63 on my daughter, and it worked well. Actually, its my wife's tank. Those HP80's seen interesting... heavy, but interesting...



proper fitting BC is a bigger issue - she might get a BP.......

 

[WetLens]

As long as we're sharing...