Scuba for a 10 year old

[MoniqueU]

We are going to Beaches Turks and Caicos in 4 weeks. They do a resort dive course starting at age 10 and my daughter is old enough for it. I told her she could do it with my husband but now I am getting a little nervous. I know they test you in a pool first but still. Has anyone ever had their children do scuba or have any opinions on it? She is a strong swimmer but I think there is more involved then just that.

 

[Honu]

My niece was certified at 10. It really depends on the kid and how motivated they are. There is a lot to learn and keep track of, even for an adult, and they need to be able to keep cool under pressure.

It was easy to let my niece do it at 10 because she was instructed by my husband and everyone we dive with is also an instructor level. She couldn't be in better hands. I'd be a bit leary of someone I didn't know training and taking her into the ocean though.

I'd let your daughter do the pool class and take it from there.

 

[disnut8]

Ask for more details. Scuba diving is a lot more than just swimming. There's a lot of math and science to learn about safe depths and pounds per square inch, etc. My dad and stepmother taught scuba for years and I was amazed at the information a person had to know in order to be certified. Ask how much in depth the course gets. It could be just an interduction to the whole process. In that case, you shouldn't worry about it at all. Dive instructors don't take the sport lightly. I know my parents had to fail a lady even though she could dive just fine. She couldn't handle the school work at all. I wouldn't promise your daughter she can go but I would check it on further when you get there. If you and your husband decide it's too much for her, take her snorkling instead. That's just as much fun (without the learning process).

 

[wideeyes]

My DBF is a scuba diver, and I would not let my DD until she was at least 14, due to the knowledge needed. DBF had to take test and exams to became qualified and it seems to much responsibility for a young child. also I would check out the diving school and check it is well regulated.

 

[wdwmom2]

Been there, done that, have the t-shirt!!! Resort dive courses are nothing like actually being a certified open water diver. But resort courses sure a nice to find out if diving is for you.

Resort course basically teaches safety, how to breath underwater, how to clear your mask, watching your o2 level, etc. Actually very easy and can actually be diving in less than 1 hour. I would let a 10 year old go if they were comfortable with it. They will have a dive master with them the entire time. And they probably won't go any deeper than around 25 feet.

Certification - MUCH more than this!!!!! Many classes in and out of water with bookwork. Then there are the certification dives. I am actually doing my one checkout dive this weekend, the 2nd dive the weekend after.

 

[Honu]

Certification - MUCH more than this!!!!! Many classes in and out of water with bookwork. Then there are the certification dives. I am actually doing my one checkout dive this weekend, the 2nd dive the weekend after.

Good luck!!