Posted by Wayne on February 13, 2002 at 10:44:20:
In Reply to: Wayne, you lead by example posted by randy54 on February 13, 2002 at 09:29:11:
you said: "...everytime another parent see's you with your kids, you show them that it's ok..."
I do not hide the fact that I let my kids dive. But most who have seen me dive with them are close friends, and a few dive professionals. I have spoken to other parents who are thinking about certification for their kids, and I have been honest with them about some of the real problems. Mostly, younger kids are not going to be motivated enough or comfortable enough to do it anyway. Then there is the whole thing about who will supervise them and what are their qualifications for supervising them. If you make it past all that, the next issue is where and under what circumstances can they dive in relative safety.
Look. It has been good for my family. But it is not for everyone. Neither is soccer with its horrible injury record. Neither is skiing with its potential for killing -- even its experts.
When parents know we dive as a family, it does not cause them to run to Sports Chalet and sign up. When a diving parent comes to me and asks my experiences, I share it with them.
Part of the hot button issue here is because we think of ourselves as "divers" and as such we are able to plan our dive and adapt to the conditions and occurrances of a dive. An experienced diver should be able to do that. But a newbie cannot be expected to have those capabilities for a while. Add the limitations of youth, and it gets worse. Youthful divers are not really in the same category as their adult counterparts.
Kids often start driving in empty parking lots. Then they get a learners permit and carefully taught to drive on the streets. Then if they do not screwup too badly they get a license. And for the first 6 months they are not allowed to have friends in the car when they drive. Then they become the normal unsafe teenage drivers and we all fear them. I see the Jr certifications the same way.
Kids of divers usually learn to play in a pool (desert). Then they get a Jr C-Card and it is like a learners permit. They have dad or mom on the seat next to them assisting. After a few years have passed they hopefully will be old enough and skilled enough to go out as a real diver. One thing for sure, those who have been diving safely for years in controlled circumstances and know their buoyancy and equipment become better adult divers than most divers I see in our waters. And how many newbies continue to take a supervising diver with them for the first several years? And the truth is they should!
The scientific research that exists clearly shows that extreme caution must be exercised and deep diving is definately out. But most important of all youthful divers are not to be treated like small adult divers. They are "taken" on dives and escorted rather than taken to a dive area and turned loose.
I do take responsibility for my actions. And whether it is making them wear helmets, seat belts, safety harnesses, or recently tuned regulators, I watch out for my kids and anyone else who dives with me. As for the inference that I should not dive with my kids because it will lead to other parents believing it is right for them, I doubt that too many parents who have seen me have wanted to do it. Make no mistake about it. It is hard work and you do not "enjoy the dive" when your kids are with you. You instead enjoy the family experience.
And afterwards, you really want to go on a fun dive to relax after all the tension of a kiddie dive.
Wayne