Scuba diving isn’t just for adults seeking adventure; it’s an activity that can captivate the hearts and minds of children too. The underwater world, with its vibrant marine life and mesmerising landscapes, holds a special allure for young explorers. But is scuba diving safe and suitable for children? What should you look out for, to ensure your child has the best experience possible? How can you nurture this interest whilst ensuring your child’s safety? Let’s dive in!
The Safety Dive
Safety is paramount when it comes to children and scuba diving. Thankfully, with proper training, equipment, and supervision, scuba diving can be a safe and enjoyable activity for kids. Scuba Diving is also an excellent way to fully immerse children in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM. PADI offers programs designed specifically for young divers. We designed our Crystal Ocean Explorers program during Covid. Our goal was that when the island opened up again, children aged 8 to 14 could reconnect with each other, discover scuba diving and learn more about marine conservation and the ocean planet. Now, the program has evolved to become a super fun, interactive and STEM-orientated after-school activity. Reach out to your local PADI Approved Youth Training Centres for more information and guidance on the PADI programs they might offer in your area.
Ages 8 and 9
As the only PADI Approved Youth Training Centre on the island of Mauritius, it’s beyond important for us to work up to and beyond PADI Standards for our Crystal Ocean Explorers and our other mini scuba divers. The 8 and 9 year olds can begin with the PADI Bubblemaker Course. This is a child-friendly version of the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience. With an PADI Assistant Instructor, or PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, budding scuba divers can dive to a maximum depth of 2 metres, in a swimming pool only, on full scuba diving gear.
In terms of equipment set up, be sure to look out for dive centres that can offer suitable, well-fitting BCDs, masks and fins in smaller sizes. Children will also be more comfortable learning how to scuba dive on smaller tanks. We use a range of 7 and 10 litre aluminium tanks, so that the kids wear the tank, and the tank doesn’t wear them!
During the Bubblemaker Course, kids will learn how to use scuba diving equipment, how to equalise, clear a regulator and mask, and understand the rules that apply to breathing underwater. Upon completion, children can earn the Bubblemaker certification eCard.
For the 8 and 9 year olds ready to take on a greater challenge, the PADI Seal Team and Master Seal Team Programs can offer just that. After Aqua Mission 1, 8 and 9 year olds can dive up to 4 metres in a swimming pool only, on full scuba gear.
The Seal Team is a bit like a condensed version of the ‘Confined Water’ or pool sessions from the PADI Open Water Course. Aqua Missions 1 to 5 give children the opportunity to learn and practice a variety of basic scuba diving skills underwater, while enjoying the feeling of freedom and weightlessness. These Aqua Missions can be credited as the first pool session from the Junior Open Water or Scuba Diver Course, if further training is taken up within 1 year of the Seal Team program.
The Master Seal Team is where the magic happens! Through a series of 10 exciting, action-packed Aqua Missions, children can learn more about Night Diving, the Underwater Environment, Safety, Search and Recovery and Navigation.
Ages 10 and 11
If you are 10 years old, congratulations! You can take part in the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience, Junior Scuba Diver, Junior Open Water Diver and Junior Adventure Diver Courses! Now you are ready to move from the pool to the open water – a beautiful ocean or freshwater environment such as a lake.
The PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience
This program is a ‘dive today’ experience rather than a certification, enabling young ocean enthusiasts aged 10 plus to explore the ocean up to a maximum depth of 12m. There’s some short eLearning to complete online beforehand, and then you should begin with a PADI Instructor, Assistant Instructor or Divemaster Discover Scuba Diving Leader in the pool (or other suitable ocean/freshwater environment offering conditions similar to those of a pool). Here you will learn some basic scuba diving skills. After that, you’re ready to take your first breath in the ocean! Be sure that it’s a PADI Instructor that conducts this first ‘open water’ dive – other PADI Professionals such as Divemasters and Assistant Instructors aren’t qualified to conduct this part of the experience.
And here’s the best part, for 14 days after your Experience, you can make additional ocean dives with the same PADI Instructor or PADI Dive Centre! Not only that, if done correctly, and you master all of the relevant skills, the pool session and ocean dive can count towards the PADI Junior Scuba Diver or Open Water Course.
The PADI Junior Scuba Diver and Open Water Course
The PADI Scuba Diver Course is a subset of the PADI Open Water Course. Children aged 10 and 11 are qualified to dive to 12m, when diving with a parent or guardian, or PADI Professional (PADI Divemaster or Instructor). This is whether they are Junior Scuba Diver or Open Water certified. When they turn 12, if they are PADI Open Water certified, they can dive up to 18m alongside another certified adult diver.
Junior PADI Scuba Divers can upgrade to the Junior PADI Open Water Course at any time – just keep their Referral and Record form from their certifying Instructor safe, and they will just have to complete some additional eLearning, two more pool sessions and two more ocean dives.
Finally, children aged 10 and 11 can complete the PADI Junior Adventure Diver Course if they are Junior Open Water certified. They can pick three Adventure Divers from a list of those suitable for 10 and 11 year olds, such as Underwater Photography, Underwater Navigation, Fish Identification, Dive Against Debris, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Boat Diver and Dry Suit Diver. The maximum depth remains 12m, but they will learn so much as they explore these different areas of diving and open up the underwater world!
Ages 12 to 14
Children aged 12 to 14 can still take part in the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience, and Junior Scuba Diver Course up to a depth of 12m. This depth is however extended to 18m when they sign up for the PADI Junior Open Water Course. After certification, 12 to 14 year olds must dive with other certified adult divers.
Building on these entry level training experiences, 12 to 14 year olds can go on to enrol in the Junior Advanced Open Water Course, where they can dive down to 21m as part of the Deep Adventure Dive. They can gain experience and build their confidence in a lot of other Adventure Diving areas, including the Drift Adventure Dive, AWARE Shark Conservation, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Search and Recovery and Night Diving! Each Adventure Dive can credit as the first dive from the full Specialty Course in that area.
12 to 14 year olds can also work towards the prestigious Junior Master Scuba Diver rating. This is a small group of elite divers worldwide (less than 2%!) who have completed the Junior or Adult Rescue Diver and Emergency First Responder Course, logged 50 dives and earnt PADI Specialty Diver certifications in 5 different areas.
After 14?
Finally, when you get to 15, you are considered an ‘adult’ in scuba diver training terms. This means you can access a wider range of PADI Specialty Courses, as well as dive to a deeper depth as part of the Advanced Course – 30m. If you are Junior certified, when you turn 15, your certification upgrades with you.
These programs focus not only on teaching children the fundamentals of scuba diving but also when taught correctly, instilling in them a deep understanding of safety protocols. Children learn about equipment usage, underwater communication, buoyancy control, and how to handle potential emergencies. Additionally, Instructors should ensure that dives are conducted in controlled environments – calm, shallow waters with clear visibility, with small ratios and appropriate direct supervision.
The Educational Dive
Scuba diving provides a unique educational experience for children. It’s a hands-on lesson in marine biology, ecology, physics, and environmental conservation. Immersed in the underwater world, children witness firsthand the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems.
Through guided dives, kids can learn to identify different species of fish, corals, and other marine life. They gain insights into the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems and the importance of preserving them. This experiential learning fosters a sense of responsibility and stewardship towards the environment.
The Empowering Dive
Scuba diving can be profoundly empowering for children. It challenges them both physically and mentally, helping to build confidence, resilience, and self-reliance. As they master new skills and overcome obstacles underwater, children develop a sense of achievement and pride in their abilities.
Moreover, scuba diving encourages teamwork and communication. Whether it’s signaling to a dive buddy or working together to navigate a dive site, children learn the value of cooperation and mutual support.
The Family Dive
Scuba diving also offers families a unique opportunity to bond and create lasting memories together. Sharing the underwater experience strengthens familial ties and fosters a sense of adventure and exploration.
Parents can serve as role models for their children, demonstrating safe diving practices and a deep respect for the ocean. Together, families can embark on underwater adventures, discovering hidden treasures and forging unforgettable connections with the marine world.
Final Thoughts
Children and scuba diving form a natural and enriching combination. Through proper training, supervision, and equipment, children can safely explore the wonders of the underwater world. Scuba diving not only provides a thrilling adventure but also offers valuable educational and empowering experiences for young explorers. So, if your child has a fascination with the sea, don’t hesitate to dive in and nurture their passion for underwater exploration. After all, beneath the waves lies a world of discovery waiting to be explored.
