I just read in Newsweek that PADI ok'd 10 year olds getting certified...is there a shop on island that will have a course this summer for my 10 year old?

Annie

Annie,
I'm sure any of the dive shops would be wiling to certify your daughter.

A couple of things to think about! I've certified a few 10 year olds and found it is much different than certifying adults. I'd recommend finding someone who has certified younger kids (under 12) and actually enjoyed it! Unfortunately the dive certifying organizations have not produced materials (books, video, CD ROM) geared toward children...so it requires a lot of patience to make sure younger kids understand some of the terms...and more important...the concepts. I've found they struggle with concepts of calculating pressure changes and dive tables.

On the other hand...I've found that kids have less fear/anxiety and learn the physical skills much faster than most the adults I've taught.

Something else to think about...
The Open Water Scuba Diver recommended depth limit is 40' (not a problem on Bonaire as there is so much to see). Kids can't get their Advanced until they are 12 years old. Also, after certification they must dive only with a parent, guardian, or Dive Professional (I.e. Instructor, Assistant Instructor, Divemaster).

Knowing how much you love the water...I'm sure your daughter has high interest and natural skills...so she should be a great candidate for certification! Also...I'll bet she'll love it. I certified 2 of my nephews (10 and 11 years old)while on Bonaire last November...they got 20 total dives in and had an absolute blast (although I think their favorite part of the trip was spending 1/2 day with Caren from Sea & Discover learning about all the marine life).

Hope this helped!

Scott

Annie,

My daughter was certified in June 2001 in Bonaire at the Dive Inn. The instructors were great. She turned 10 in April and was certified in June. The PADI material is the same for children as is for adults, so it does require time each day to do the necessary reading and answering the questions. During our first dive together I wanted to hold her hand and she finally grabbed my slate and wrote "you don't have to hold my hand all the time".

Like Scott said, there are restrictions on depth and they can only dive with a parent or professional until the age of 12.


I personally have no regrets nor does my daughter. She just turned 11 and beleive it not she suffers from PBD too! She made her 3rd trip this past February and is ready to go again!

and here she is...........

The shop I use here in DC will certify 10 year olds. But they don't like to do referrals (basically said no) for the open water dives (have no problem doing referrals for adults). Hard part here is the quarry is so cold and dark for kids that age (plus the shop has no rental suits that size). My daughter is 10 and I'm probably going to wait until next year's trip and go with the shop. That way we'll do certification dives in a nice location. This year's trip didn't line up with the dates. If you get everything done, tell me how it worked.

Thanks everyone..Maggie is excited..and has asked if her buddy Dara will take her out already...I will let you know where she ends up..so many AWESOME shops and choices..oh dear!



Annie

Our son was certified last year when he was 10. He did well with the CD-ROM course. Kids are naturals for the computer based course. He did have trouble with equalization in the cold lake water, but his instructors, both in Kansas and the BVI each said not to be discouraged "kids do much better in warmer water." He completed his open water with 4 dives in the BVI with out any problems. I would suggest that you talk to the shops before you get there to see which shops will do the 10 year old referrals. (Several of the BVI shops would not.)

My daughter, then aged 10, completed her open water with Captain Dons. Her instructor,Juni, was fantastic and taught her on a one to one basis. Where else can a ten year old get to see two seahorses on her first dive!

Consider getting the academics and pool work done back home before your vacation. Bonaire's too good to want to spend much time in the classroom. Also as Jake says kids can take a little lomger to master some of the concepts and it takes the pressure off your time on vacation if you can start straight away in open water

I know Juni and spoke with him so he is the man. Also, I am going for it..I am DEATHLY afraid (love to free dive/snorkel) but want to do it as Mother / Daughter...

I called the local dive shop and 4 pool/shop classes is 200.00 pp plus 55.00 for a kit...I wonder about the CD Rom version..it is so hard to fit this in considering where I am in the school year and my windsurfing event. Anyone know where to get the CD Rom??

Also, I am really clueless...I have a few questions. So, I take a course here, what then happens with Juni in Bonaire? I learn to dive?? I am a math idiot..what is this about tables and calculations..UGHH..

Annie

Annie,
We have a copy of the CD-Rom if you can wait until you get here.
Linda

Annie,
Assuming you are going to use PADI as your certification agency you and Maggie will have to complete knowledge reviews and quizzes in from the book or CD-ROM, then take a few tests, then the final test. The knowledge reviews and quizzes for each chapter can be done through self-study...in fact...that is what PADI now encourages. The tests and final exams are administered by the Instructor.

Check with the person who you want to have do your open water exam on Bonaire. If they take referrals you can get started by getting the materials at your local dive shop. Even if you don't complete the classroom and pool work before you leave for Bonaire you will still be ahead of the game and the instructor on Bonaire can quickly get you up to speed...prescriptive teaching.

Don't worry about math stuff. It's not that complicated. The concepts are simple and the dive tables are not too complicated if you have a good instructor. You will do fine. If you get stuck, send me an email...I've got some tricks to help make the tables really simple.

My wife was also terrified of the water...didn't know how to swim, but when the kids were getting certified she tried SCUBA in the shallow end of the pool. Two weeks later she had learned to "swim" and got certified. First trip was to Cayman and after a dive to 100' led by a local divemaster, she asked me "why didn't you MAKE me do this 8 years ago?" She loves it. I think you will find diving to be easier than snorkeling. The air comes right to you, no water in the snorkel, and weightless underwater!

Now...if you can just get us windsurfing!

Scott

Thanks Linda..I guess we could do the studying in BON and then get certified with Juni (Habitat). I will prob. NOT take the course here but get the materials to study.

Oh Scott, windsurfing is too addictive..forget it..

LOL

Annie

Anyone considering certifying a ten year old for diving should carefully consider information available at the DAN and other sites on this subject. Possible problems and unknowns include the effect of microbubbles on bone growth plates (highly vascular structures at this age), the increased chance of a patent foramen ovale (venous bubbles move directly into the left side of the heart and into the arterial system and brain without "filtering" in the lungs), and other issues as well.
One should understand that there is absolutely no information at this time on such safety issues for children that young.

Annie, the following links contain some info on diving physiology, you might find it helpful..There's also a good section in the Divemaster Manual..

http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/bkrvw.html

http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html