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Re: Power Snorkel, Snuba, or Helmet Diving? Posted on: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:27:02 -0500



Rosalie B. wrote:
>
> I haven't been a certified scuba diver for very long (just since 1997)
> but the age for kids to dive was 12 at that time. That was 10 years
> ago - not that recent.

They can get a Junior OW cert at age 10 now.


> And is he seriously suggesting that children not swim in a chlorinated
> pool until after the age of 16?


I think he is suggesting that anyone looking to sue you can find
"studies" to back up their case against you if have put a child "at
risk". Clearly, Harris intends to cut his legal risks by not teaching
children under the age of legal consent.


> I have a 12 year old grandson who is as tall as his mother (who is
> 5'6"), and has been boating, fishing, swimming, snorkeling (from about
> age 5) and free diving with his dad. They have a small pool at home.
> His dad was certified at about age 14. His dad is 6'3" so HIS growth
> was certainly not stunted. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't
> take a class and be certified. He's probably a better prospect as a
> safe diver than Jr. is to do helmet diving.

Perhaps. Let's face it, it's the parent's job to determine what level
of risk they are willing to let their child assume when they enroll them
in any sport that can have a potentially negative impact on their health
or life.

FWIW, damage to a growth plate can be just that, a plate. So, I think
it might be misleading to talk about "stunted growth". The damage might
just affect one limb. Actually, some males can grow through their early
20's, so it's really not just about pre-teens either.

This is an older, but still relevant article about kids and diving.
I think it might be clearer than Harris's page and brings up some points
to consider. Harris has a great deal of good info on his site that
include references, but navigating through it can be time consuming.
http://www.mavericksdiving.co.uk/education/kids.html

From the American Journal of Cardiology April 2005, there is an
interesting article of a group of divers tested for size of PFOs done 7
years apart. 20 divers had PFOs and 20 didn't. Out of the 20 divers
with PFOs, 6 had larger PFOs than they did 7 years prior. Of course,
they need a better study to determine causality. But still, something
to think about.