⌛ Diving for Kids

I'm an old 90's Dive Instructor, retired when I could bot fit into my wet suit, then went flying as did not have to get wet.

Since moving to Dumaguete, have been tooling with the idea of getting a bigger wet suit, talked to PADI Australia and got a total shock as to what was required to reinstate my Instructorship again ...

Oh well ..

However

I was totally surprised to see on the PADI Web site that my 11 year old daughter can now get an Open Water License provided that she dives with a licensed diver ..

This is something I would just love to give her as a Christmas Present.

We are planning on spending some time at Xmas on Siquijor, am trying to find a place with rooms now. (Coconut Grove is booked out)

Can anyone recommend a dive shop who has taught kids and know how to get rid of an anxious old fart ex instructor so he does not interfere?

Seriously, would prefer an instructor who has taught kids before

If not at Siquijor, anyone in the Dumaguete area?

Last Question, what would the cost be??

Thanks

 

In siquijor, Coco Grove and Sea Explorer has qualified diving instructor.
In Dumaguete my 15 yrs. old daughter did her Open Water diving last month at KoKo's Nest with James Ingram(cost:15,750pesos for 4days). We will try also diving with Mike@dauin Resort this December.

cheers!

 

there's a sign up at El dorado as well. they train kids beginning at 8 years old....

 

Ppilot..what is your daughters naitive language please...?? Miguel

 

Sntmig, Tagalog AND English (English is better), Cheers

 

ok, here are the PADI Standards for Diving with Kids.

From 8 years on Kids can participate in the "Bubblemaker" Program, where they can splash around in the water to a max depth of 2 meter.

During this "Aqua Missions" they learn some basic skills, but you can't call it scuba class. Mainly used here in the PI by parents who want to have 2 hours alone.

10 Years:
Kids can make the Junior Open Water course.

They have the same restrictions as a PADI SCUBA diver with a max depth of 12 meter AND a dive Professional, meaning dive-master or higher.

12 years:
Junior OW can dive with a parent or guardian max depth 18Meters.

with 15 they can upgrade from Junior OW to "normal" OW.

Junior divers must meet all requirements for Open Water Diver or PADI Scuba Diver certification other than age. Certification depends on competency and student ability to understand dive concepts. Students must independently complete written PADI Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exams — oral exams are not permitted.

And here lies the problem. While the Kids are cool in the water and have no fear, 99% do not understand the concept or hazards, neither understand what is going on in someones body.

I had many Junior Students in my 800+ certs and it is really big fun, but in the age 10-12 they rarely gain the knowledge to reach the performance requirements of the OW level, as Scuba diver has the same restrictions as 10-12 J-OW, that might be an option to start with, without bore the kids to death in endless explanation of the dive-tables and other stuff.

cheers

Rhoody

 

Thanks Rhoody, Good Info. What do the courses cost now, in my day, $180 to $200 was the going rate. Cheers

 

I am not really familiar with the prices of different Resorts.

I usually stick to the rates of Mike as he books me also many times. The OW there is 17.000 Peso. That includes Crewpak (each student needs now his own manual), rental equipment, dives (pool and OW) and sanctuary- and certification fee.

cheers

Rhoody

 

Hi PangitPilot

I'm on board with Rhoody on this one. As an instructor I have taught about 50 kids or so, and while some of them easily understand advanced concepts like the divetable and such, many are just not prepared for that. 11 Years is an interesting age, she might be completely ready for an open water course or she may not be ready at all. In the end it's got a lot to do with your judgement as well as that of your instructor. Without knowing your daughter I'll side with Rhoody and recommend the Scuba Diver Course rather than the full open water course. It'll give you tons of fun together in the water and she can upgrade whenever she wants.

As for prices, the lowest in town I know of is at Harold's Mansion - where I occasionally freelance - the going rate there is 12.000 Php for the PADI Open Water Course. It'd be less for a scuba diver course, but I don't know how much exactly.

On another note - have you thought about teaching her yourself? Even if you are a retired instructor, that shouldn't really matter unless you feel rusty or a bit insecure about teaching kids scuba. There are no laws forcing you or her to do it through an agency. Of course, she won't get a fancy plastic card, but you may both end up having more fun doing it together like a daughter and dad experience. Quite a few of my instructor friends have taught their own kids how to dive completely outside of any sanctioned program by any certifying organisation, and both they and the kids loved it. It'd be what I'd do if I had any kids. Having been out of teaching for a while it may be different for you of course, but I just thought I'd mention it as a possibility.

All the best,
Soren

 

Thanks Soren/ Rhoody, good advice

Actually I was thinking of doing the theory myself with her well in advance so I could be sure she understood the concepts, but I would prefer to have another instructor do the skills as I want it to be HER achievement and something she takes away as having completed as a challenge, with me being there in a supporting role. To me it is part of her growth and learning the ways of the world and it would be a buzz for me to have her explain what she had achieved at the end of each session.

I would of course, love to tag along on the last dive, it would be a big thrill for me, I still remember mine in 1977 (ouch, in Cold Old Byron Bay, Ozz,, FAUI) when I did my certification dive .. It is a memory you carry for the rest of your life.

I do have an ulterior motive in that I want to expose here to the "profession", she seems to be very inclined towards water and the environment/animals and if she gets professional instruction, she may see the future possibilities in later years.

Anyway, I would fuss too much, it is my ONLY daughter

Given that I would probably dive on guided dives anyway, not off the beach, the idea of diving with a divemaster is not an issue and she turns 12 next July.

I guess she could start as a Junior Scuba Diver and if coping well could keep going onto the Junior Open Water, I guess most dive shops would be open to that???

Cheers

Mark