When to start diving?

[tbrown]

Hopefully on Monday, I'll be the proud papa of 2 new additions to the family. This has lead me to start thinking of many things to come and one of them certainly is how old should the twins be before I let them dive. This is of course assuming they would want too (but cmon, who wouldn't), but for the moment I will assume they will. The agencies state 10 years old, but I think it's not a bad idea to wait a little past that; 12,15,21 are all good numbers to start them out (I put in 21 so that way they can pay for it themselves). So as a topic for discusion, what do people think is a good age to start their children diving?

ps hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving

[freedivernd]

Tom, you're up way to early on a Saturday morn!

I wish I would have gotten my girls into diving earlier.. They do super while freediving with me, course now they're in their twenties. I'm working with the step-grand kids holding their breath... their folks are sure worried ... the boys are ages 1, almost 2, and 3, can't wait to put them to the test under water. We got the grand girls mask and snorkels last year, one's in kindergarten and ones in 1st grade. They could take it or leave it now but they'll come around once they see some fish .

I'd say get them going with mask and snorkel very early, be sure to make it a pleasurable experience.. maybe practice in the tub or pool some. They might find that mask and snorkel is all they need to come and visit you at the depths. ;D Scuba, my suggestion would be to see what their attitudes are like towards diving, judge the character before setting an age and if they have an interest after the snorkeling, go for it when you think they are ready. What a great family sport to share!

Here's a good place to start when they're very young, "o.k. - take a deep breath....hooooowwp."

Best wishes to you and your Family come Monday!!

Fred

[tbrown]

Good advise on the mask and snorkel Fred. But what do I do if they are better at free-diving than me! ;D

[lrmoll]

There have been a number of articles on other web sites about when children should be allowed to start scuba. Emotional maturity, decision making, and risk taking skills are important.

I have also occasionally read articles by dive doctors that recommend waiting until, they are fully grown physically before subjecting them to diving of any depth. Concern is that growth plates might be effected. No one knows for sure (Its the kind of thing it is very difficult to study) but question why take the chance.