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What's the minimum age to begin dive training?

For Naui it's 12.

What's the minimum age to begin dive training? 12

What's the minimum age to begin dive training? I received three email responses to this question. One said 14, the others said 12. (When I trained in 1975, btw, it was 16.) So the verdict's still out on the effect of compressed gas on skeletal formation? (There again, I've also read that skeletal growth doesn't stop until 35, so...) rehman

received three email responses to this question. One said 14, the others said 12. (When I trained in 1975, btw, it was 16.) So the verdict's still out on the effect of compressed gas on skeletal formation? (There again, I've also read that skeletal growth doesn't stop until 35, so...) Well, I'm safe.  ;^) Gordon in Austin

All major agencies that I am aware of have a junior certification at age 12, full adult certification at age 15.  But that is only the beginning of the story.  Its your child, not the agency's!! The risk in diving as juniors , IMHO, comes as a function of their age and lack of liffe experience.  Even more problematical can be the proud parent prodding the child into diving at all or doing dives they are not ready for .  Should kids dive? There is no easy answer. Both of my children were certified at age 12. Worked out well, I watched them like a hawk!!  They both really wanted to dive. If kids do want to dive, I  think the following MINIMUM principals apply. 1)  The child MUST have good fiting equiptment.  Rent it from a reliable shop, don't buy it to grow into .  Big mistake. 2)There must be very close supervision, every time.  It's thechild's dive to enjoy, not yours.  Gotta keep an eye open all the time.  Or two! 3) Stay shallow, certainly <60FSW.  I like to stay <30 FSW with young ones. Most doctors that I have spoken with  (and there are many) have  concerns with the effects of pressure (depth) on growing bones and growth plates. Also, shallow depths are less stressful for child and for me watching the child. Constantly. 4) Be a truly EXCELLENT role model.  Buddy check, SSSLLLOOOWWW ascents,   safety stops, dive planning, etc.  The freedom to dive as you choose (which I fully support for adults) cannot apply when you dive with children. 5)  Make sure THEY want to become certified divers, not just that you would like them  to accomplish this.  Check your ego at the door. 6) Try NOT to go to their classes or pool sessions during training.  Let the instructor/DM do their jobs.  If not confident, get a different instructor. If you do go to their classes, PLEASE don't help, even if qualified. 7)  Let them set up their own gear, every time.  In fact, insist on it. If at all physically possible, and it should be, have them carry their own gear as well.  It's a lesson in diver responsibility that may carry over into other aspects of the dive. 8)  If your child is diving with another diver other than you as a buddy, make sure that buddy agrees to what YOU feel is approiate for your child. The child is your responsibility (not the buddy's, not the DM's, not anyone elses) if you permit your child to dive, no matter who the buddy may be. 9) Never let you child fool around on scuba without supervision, even in a pool.  Air expansion injuries can occur from fast ascents even in 3-5 feet of water. 10) A child progresses, begin to cut the cord, slowly.  You want a safe child, but not an overly dependant diver.  Hard balance to strike, but you'll know it when you get there. Let the kid have some fun (safely).  Like I said above, it's the child's dive, not yours. Safe diving Steve Burke This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it