Whole family certification - bad idea?

[fisherdvm]

I was watching as a family of 4 was getting certified at the same time in the pool. Seems like a cute idea, but might be bad. The boy was about 12, and the sister about 15.

It is scary enough for an adult during my first few dives. I still have some anxiety especially when I don't have a decent buddy. But imagine, two new certified parent divers, two young ones.... Seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

How do instructors feel about this? Don't you think the parent should get some experience first, before you give the children their C cards? Isn't OW certification barely enough, then you expect the parents to be mentors to their young ones?

 

[1_T_Submariner]

My wife and son are both certified. However they don't dive unless the water is within 25 degrees of 98.6 so I get plenty of more dives then they do in more challenging environments etc... It can be a bad Idea if they get distracted some times one goes left the other right then I have to herd them back together.

 

[divenutny]

My entire family is certified. (wife and three kids). The kids were rather young at the time, ages 12, 13 & 15. I dove with everyone one day. They had a good time, I had a rough day. Between ear issues (trouble clearing). Swimming at different speeds, not interested in moving at the same time so some were left behind. Was a tough day for me. Glad I will not try that again. Ten years later, the youngest and I dive together on occasion. The others lost interest.

I would do it again. Great exposure for everyone, but you have to be very, very, very relaxed. Sucks carrying gear for five divers. They expect Dad to carry everything.

Diving with your children can be tough. I dive a lot in ocean off south shore of Long Island, NY. Vis is not the best when diving with your children. Hard to explain to your wife that you lost your son while diving. However, the look on their faces when they see a wreck or find an artifact is incredible ! ! My youngest found the engine room telegraph on a ship when he was 15. This was not a penetration dive, the wreck is has collapsed, rising a few feet from the sand. Still talks about finding it.

Hey, a the very least, the dive shop will love you.

Enjoy

 

[DeepSeaDan]

I was watching as a family of 4 was getting certified at the same time in the pool. Seems like a cute idea, but might be bad. The boy was about 12, and the sister about 15.

It is scary enough for an adult during my first few dives. I still have some anxiety especially when I don't have a decent buddy. But imagine, two new certified parent divers, two young ones.... Seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

How do instructors feel about this? Don't you think the parent should get some experience first, before you give the children their C cards? Isn't OW certification barely enough, then you expect the parents to be mentors to their young ones?

I will take a family through a program, insuring competency ( I dislike the word "mastery" ). I won't train anyone under 12 & have turned away kids 12 & older if I feel they are not physically & / or emotionally mature enough to begin. I have a good look at the parents & form an opinion as to their probable abilities to supervise their offspring underwater. Depending on that judgement, I'll sit down with the parents to have a frank discussion about their plans for diving as a family. I'll tell them that my children only dive with me, & when they do, they ( actually, just my son right now ) occupy my complete attention, both above & below. I reiterate the need for conservatism & diving to the needs of the least proficient member.

Thus far I've had no reports of any problems associated with the families I've trained.

Let it always be so.

Regards,
DSD