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On Thu, 28 Sep 1995, A.Appleyard wrote: > On Wed, 27 Sep 1995, Khoo Soo Seng wrote: > > Can children between the age of 6-10 learn to dive in & up to 30 fsw without > > hampering their growth especially their bone structure? Is it SAFE for them? > > Roger Herring <afn03632@fr*.uf*.ed*> wrote (Subject: Re: Baby Scube Doo):- > > There is some theory that developing bones may be affected at these ages. > > Why take a chance? > > I can't see why it should be affected as long as they keep well away from > needs to decompress and risks of gas bubbles in their bones. > The chief difference with the bone structure at that sort of age that I know > of is that some parts of the skeleton (pelvis, some ends of long bones) are > composed partly of bulk structural cartilage that hasn't yet got around to > turning into bone. (Ref. e.g. `Gray's Anatomy'.) This would make the pelvis a > bit flexible and elastic, but I can't see it affecting diving. According to the Divers Alert Network medical staff, this is true. However, perhaps you know something they don't, i.e. a DCS hit can be random, even if you follow all "the rules". A hit in a growth area for a child could have some dire consequences. Again, why take a chance with a child this young? > > Roger Herring <afn03632@fr*.uf*.ed*> wrote (Subject: Re: Baby Scube Doo):- > > ... **most** children at this age are not mentally capable of handling the > > myriad of factors associated with diving, even in 30 fsw. The recommend age > > is 12, and only if the child appears mentally ready. > > Perhaps not mentally capable of handling the myriad of factors associated > with diving by themselves, i.e. of deciding for themselves where and how deep > to go etc. But I am not asking a bunch of young children to dive unaccompanied > by an adult, like they might be allowed to play in a playroom on land. > -- Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you would allow a child to dive unaccompanied by an adult. However, again according to DAN's medical staff, a child (at the age we're discussing) usually doesn't have the mental capabilities to "make responsible" decisions, especially in an emergency situation. Even if you "buddy up" with a child, certainly there may be a point in a dive(s) where you would have a moment of distraction. A child chokes, bolts to the surface while holding his breath, etc, etc. This is not to say that the above does not apply to adults I know. There have been many children who have learned to dive sucessfully under 12 years-of-age, I'm sure. My eight-year-old wants to learn so bad that he drives me crazy. However, the risk at this age is not worth it to myself or my wife. He'll be there (12 years old) soon enough. I believe most certification agencies in the states follow this 12 years-of-age guideline. You may be certified at this age as a "junior" diver who must be accompanied by a certified adult (18 years-of-age I believe) until the age of 16. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
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