When did you start your children?

[wch]

I have an 11 year old son who is responsible and smart, one B the rest A's! I am considering on enrolling him for a junior certificate. He is chomping at the bit, and sitting in our pool breathing off of my gear sunk next to him is wearing thin for him. He practices some skills with me like buddy breathing and mask removal and clearing, but he wants to get his limited c-card.

I have read a couple of threads on when people started diving, and a great response by DocViking on age concerns, but I am curious at what age members have started their own children or other friends/ family members you know started theirs.

Regards,
Bill

P.S. I did not post this as a poll because I wanted the rational behind the decision if possible

 

[Walter]

I sincerely hope everytime you've ever allowed your uncertified child to breathe off your regulator, his face was out of the water. When you assist anyone who is not certified, especially a child, in breathing compressed air underwater you are assisting them in an activity which could easily kill them.

Twelve is the absolute minimum age I'd recommend allowing any child to begin diving. I certified my son at age 13. I limited him to 2 trips per year and no dives deeper than 40 ft. My daughter will be 16 next month and has not yet started classes. She will probably begin her class this summer.

 

[Espinosa]

this is kinda bad news from me and me being the noob at both diving and this board but i have some input...

you know your son better than anyone in this world. you are the best judge at when he is ready. just my $.02. each child is different as you know, i am sure.

my first day out to do my open water dives for my certification there was a 10 year old boy out there that freaked during some mask clearing skills. he spit out his regulator and headed for the top. his instructor shoved it back in his mouth and gave him a poke or two in the ribs to get him to breath and tried to slow him down. he complained about some chest pain and they had him on oxygen and headed for the ER. just something that i experienced and my instructor and i had a conversation about it afterwards.

i think it depends on the child...

 

[boomx5]

I think it depends on the child, but even then I would establish limitations on the type of diving the child would do. I started diving at the age of 15, but I was totally into it. I was like a sponge and tried to learn as much as I could about diving. I have seen 18 year olds that I wouldn't let near a regulator. I have also seen very mature 13 year olds I would. I would say be aware of your child's maturity both mental and emotional.

 

[Uncle Pug]

... oh... diving...

Well
#1 son when he was 15
#3 daughter when she was 14
#2 daughter and her husband Shane ... well lets just say older...
#4 son... claims it will be "Never!"

Only Shane still dives...

 

[Ontario Diver]

My son started lessons this year. He is eleven.

He was given pool sessions by two different instructors to ensure his maturity and ability to learn. His OW instructor is the third to check him out.

Being eleven, I have told him that he has to dive above 30 ft. He is restricted to shore dives. He has been told that he will be stopped from diving for a year if he ever does anything that I consider dangerous or foolish. He is not allowed to be more than three feet from his buddy.

These rules were discussed with him and agreed by him before he was allowed to do the class. His instructor agrees and abides by the same rules when he is in class.

By the way, the instructor says that he the most naturally comfortable person he has ever seen underwater and he aced the tables/wheel. He loves it and I can't wait to dive with him.

But no dive is worth either one of our lives....

There are kids out there who can dive safely and adults who can't. The decision must be made on an individual basis for any student.

 

[Fishkiller]

I am the only Certified diver...

My 9 Year old son started the PADI Seal Team when he was 8 he continues to astound myself and the instructor at the monthly Seal Team Adventures.

At what age??? I noticed that the trend is to include children as much as possible, with limitations...

I would have to agree with the previous posts and say that each child is different, as a parent I would never intentionaly place my son in a position to endanger himself, without the proper knowledge...

 

[kodiak]

My now 23 year old daughter was certified OW when she was 13

 

[Espinosa]

Originally posted by Ontario Diver
My son started lessons this year. He is eleven.

There are kids out there who can dive safely and adults who can't. The decision must be made on an individual basis for any student.

agreed!

an ex girlfriend of mine had a six year old daughter that i would prefer to, and would have, more intelligent conversations than some of the "mature" people i have met in my life.

go figure...

 

[The Chairman]

11 is young, but my son did it when he was 11 and has done fine, though he still clears slowly. He is a careful diver and not a hotshot, but can get easily distracted... just like me.

However, I am glad NAUI has put the bar at 12, and even gladder still that the BSA has put it at 14. Fourteen is good for most (still not all) kids. They are mature enough to start to understand "responsibility" but that is STILL up to the adult diver. Before that, I think that there are not only emotional, but physical issues that need to be entertained. What are the effects of compressed air on tender lung tissues? How about the effects of pressure on bones and the plates in your child's skull? If you aren't sure, then maybe you should have some reservations about your child in a hyperbaric environment. Diving is always optional... my child's welfare is NOT!!!

If I knew then, what I know now, I would have put Harrison's certification off until he was at least 14.