Scuba Divers, I need advise :)

[tara11]

Hi,
My son is 11 and I am 48, we have a boat, we want to learn to Scuba Dive, the locale dive shop wants about 500 each to certify us and teach us and then we would continue to dive with supervision until I feft comfortable going on our own boat, in that 500 includes everything, wet suits etc..... OR I buy everything for both of us and they certify us and teach us for free and we get a lot more, free, I went in yesterday and they said it would be between 1500 and 2000 $ each to outfit us with good gear, what is the best way to go about this, is he to young ? My son has grown up in the water and on a boat, he swims in adverse conditions better than alot of adults, BUT is he to young, I would be devastated if something happened ! Please advise

 

[DougP]

some questions i would be asking myself if it were my son.

how well does he handle himself in stressful situations? in case something goes wrong with his gear, you, the boat.

does he know what to do in an emergency? have a good safety plan.

i guess my point is i know some 12 year olds that are more responsible then some 30 year olds and can handle them selves.

good training and lots of practice, make sure he understands this is serious recreational fun that has some dangers involved with it, but can be a very enjoyable sport to participate in.

hope this helps

 

[BradV]

You as the parent need to make the call if you feel that your son is mature enough mentally and physically to handle diving. And you as a diver need to know if you would feel comfortable with your son being your dive partner and assisting you in an emergency. In all reality your son will outdive you 10 fold because hes a kid. Youll be apprehensive and hell want to see how deep he can go. We recently got certified and tend to go out with several other people. I feel comfortable going alone but my fiancee likes having more people.

On to the fun/$ part. If you have your own boat and actually want to dive regularly spend the money and get your own gear. I bought all our own gear which isnt cheap and find that we go alot more because you arent renting and having to go to the store everytime and seeing the 75 bucks per time. I would find a dive store that you like and feel comfortable with and buy whatever product they have. All manufacturers are similar in quality scubapro, oceanic, aqualung so dont worry about that. Make it part of the class that you get to test out different regualtors with balanced first and second stage some with adjustable airflows etc. Also, full bc jackets, rear inflate so you can see what you feel more comfortable in. they should have their line of products for rental. If they dont find another place to go to.

 

[TunaJoe]

Craig,
Why not forego the scuba lessons for one year and instead just freedive this year?
Much less money and you get to assess how much your son enjoys being in the water. If he digs it, you can do the scuba next year.
One suggestion, go have a custom open cell freedive suit made at a place like JMJ in Torrance. Cost: About $300. Super warm suit.
Then all you need are some long fins and a mask and snorkel.
You can go www.spearboard.com and search for used gear and suggestions.
My 2 cents.
Good luck
Joe

 

[tara11]

These are all the things that I have not thought of, the free diving thing sounds pretty cool, like I said, I am trying to get all the feed back I would not think about, so 10 fold , we, my wife and I say thanks for everyone's input ! Off to ride bikes on the beach and look at the world at Venice
Thanks,
Craig

 

[BradV]

Freediving would be another option but for good freediving gear and the classes youre looking at almost the same amount for scuba. I did both. Freediving class was almost 1000 by itself. Pretty neat but you have to really pay alot more attention to your dive buddy. I thought the same thing about freediving being cheaper but its just so hard to find people who can regularly dive at the same depths. Freediving is a sport/workout scuba diving is a slow walking sightseeing tour.

I like the idea of a custom wetsuit. I have a freediving wetsuit and for the thickness much more comfortable than a standard scuba wetsuit but also alot more money.

 

[TunaJoe]

Freediving would be another option but for good freediving gear and the classes youre looking at almost the same amount for scuba. I did both. Freediving class was almost 1000 by itself. Pretty neat but you have to really pay alot more attention to your dive buddy. I thought the same thing about freediving being cheaper but its just so hard to find people who can regularly dive at the same depths. Freediving is a sport/workout scuba diving is a slow walking sightseeing tour.

I like the idea of a custom wetsuit. I have a freediving wetsuit and for the thickness much more comfortable than a standard scuba wetsuit but also alot more money.

Brad
Not sure where your buying your gear, but FD is way less. Mainly because your don't have to buy a BC and tanks, and regulators. These 3 things alone add up to alot of money.
Plus you have to have a c-card to fill tanks so that locks you into getting certified with scuba.
Usually it's advanced freedivers who take the class with K. Krack ( Performance Freediving Class) not beginners.

With me and my buddys, it's generally evevry man for himself while hunting our local species. We get in the water and go our seperate ways.

 

[BradV]

Yeah i did the advanced freediving class with Martin down here in Lauderdale. Between the suit, fins, weight belt, mask, snorkel it was 700. I think for someone getting into it actually anyone who freedives its well worth the money to do the class for the safety factor alone. I was like you until the class about going alone but we have a lot of deaths down here because of exactly what youre talking about. Went from a breath hold of 1:30 to 3:45 by the end of the first day. Only takes once.

 

[tara11]

I think we will wait another year, we did buy wet suits last winter and did a lot of snorkeling and still do and love it, but the not quite ready factor far outweighs the lets go part, so no worries, thanks all !

 

[BradV]

you could always get your cert and pay the higher price and just rent gear or go on the dive boat for a little while and then if you decide its definately something that you want to do then you can spend the money. Its definately one of those things that if you spend the money to do it off your boat then you will want to go all the time and it usually takes at least a half day. much bigger commitment than i thought

 

[Capt Bill Welder]

Our son was certified at 11 but did not get a C-card until he was 12 and advanced until 16. He did great in class and also in the water. That was 20+ years ago so things might be different now.

I know that everyone here is trying to give you what they perceive as good safe advice. That being said I know of 2 children here locally that died free diving in the last few years. I don't know of any local children that died scuba diving.

 

[Micheal J]

11 is a little young.I have a 10 year old whos buggin me to death to go diving w/me.
Went to my local dive shop,and put him in the pool,and he's VERY comfortable in the water,BUT the weight of all the gear just rolls him around...still needs a little more physical strengh,but hey thats my kid.

Keep him in the water as much as you can..get him on over to Cat. every time you can,and freedive ,and snorokel w/him.

Def.get your own gear when ,and if you decide to do it.
Dont just stop at your open water course,do your advanced,and then rescue,but I would recommend at least 50 dives between courses...just dont slam yourselfs through them fast.Take your time ,and both of you get your skill levels up at the same pace.

I've been divin here in the Northern Channel Islands for 20 years,and I still love it so very much...cant wait to share it w/my boy

Training,Training ,Training. :wink:
Have fun

 

[tara11]

Thanks, it is cool having kids, my son is now into everything I like, and it is cool , we are heading over to Cat next wed for 4 days or so for Turkey dinner, we will eat steaks on the boat and fresh corn, no one in my clan likes turkey, so this year we will eat in between pulling lobster pots , my wife, who love it too, said whats the point of all the cooking, if none of us like Turkey so I agree, back to diving, I do think we will get certified, will wait till it is warmer, as the freezing water will add to the danger factor with him and me, I have surfed and been in the ocean my whole life, but now I find it COLD, so after lots of talking about all I have read here and just alot of common cents, it is better to wait till it gets warmer !

Tyler, my son, loves the water, and so we will do it, he is a strong kid, he is a 2nd degree Black belt and does alot, but when blood, very large fish, etc... excites him in a wrong way for 20 feet under water right now, when we pull up a giant EEL of big baby shark in a pot, he freaks, so I will be safe, and keep everything fresh and moving forward ! Even when a giant bat ray swims under the boat, he is funny, so every kid is different, but like I said in a earler post, I would be devestad if something went wrong because we were in a hurry

 

[Micheal J]

Thanks, it is cool having kids, my son is now into everything I like, and it is cool , we are heading over to Cat next wed for 4 days or so for Turkey dinner, we will eat steaks on the boat and fresh corn, no one in my clan likes turkey, so this year we will eat in between pulling lobster pots , my wife, who love it too, said whats the point of all the cooking, if none of us like Turkey so I agree, back to diving, I do think we will get certified, will wait till it is warmer, as the freezing water will add to the danger factor with him and me, I have surfed and been in the ocean my whole life, but now I find it COLD, so after lots of talking about all I have read here and just alot of common cents, it is better to wait till it gets warmer !

Tyler, my son, loves the water, and so we will do it, he is a strong kid, he is a 2nd degree Black belt and does alot, but when blood, very large fish, etc... excites him in a wrong way for 20 feet under water right now, when we pull up a giant EEL of big baby shark in a pot, he freaks, so I will be safe, and keep everything fresh and moving forward ! Even when a giant bat ray swims under the boat, he is funny, so every kid is different, but like I said in a earler post, I would be devestad if something went wrong because we were in a hurry

Perfect! You nailed it! Take your time,get as much time in the water as you can.PLEASE,dont forget the training part of it.Like others have said,it's fun,but it's serious.Go all the way through your Rescue course without rushing.
Look around for a GOOD instructor who has some time in the water,and who is still passionate about diving,and skills.

For an awesome WARM wetsuit try a O'neill XJ700...awesome suit,check out the website.I've owned 3 of these over the years,and dive the Islands to the North of you..toasty suits.
Best of luck to you and your son,cant wait to hear about it.
If you ever want a tour up here just PMme ,and let me know.
20yrs in the water.Couple 1000 dives, Rescue cert.,and an 08 2120sc
MJ.

 

[tara11]

Micheal J, I might take you up on it, we have never been to the channel islands, and now that my trailer is new, I can tow up to you in about and hour, and would love to see all the islands you play at, Cat is so nice, but you have a whole different playground we have never been to ! you never know !
Thanks for the offer and who knows !
Craig
How do you guys put the post in the post ?

 

[Micheal J]

Micheal J, I might take you up on it, we have never been to the channel islands, and now that my trailer is new, I can tow up to you in about and hour, and would love to see all the islands you play at, Cat is so nice, but you have a whole different playground we have never been to ! you never know !
Thanks for the offer and who knows !
Craig
How do you guys put the post in the post ?

Awesome!! Just let me know.
Weathers shapeing up nice for your Cat run on the holiday!
Have a great time!

For a "post in a post" just hit the quote button. :wink:
MJ.

 

[TunaJoe]

Micheal J, I might take you up on it, we have never been to the channel islands, and now that my trailer is new, I can tow up to you in about and hour, and would love to see all the islands you play at, Cat is so nice, but you have a whole different playground we have never been to ! you never know !
Thanks for the offer and who knows !
Craig
How do you guys put the post in the post ?

Awesome!! Just let me know.
Weathers shapeing up nice for your Cat run on the holiday!
Have a great time!

For a "post in a post" just hit the quote button. :wink:
MJ.

Hey, maybe we can have a Channel Islands Parker get together!

 

[Micheal J]

Micheal J, I might take you up on it, we have never been to the channel islands, and now that my trailer is new, I can tow up to you in about and hour, and would love to see all the islands you play at, Cat is so nice, but you have a whole different playground we have never been to ! you never know !
Thanks for the offer and who knows !
Craig
How do you guys put the post in the post ?

Awesome!! Just let me know.
Weathers shapeing up nice for your Cat run on the holiday!
Have a great time!

For a "post in a post" just hit the quote button. :wink:
MJ.

Hey, maybe we can have a Channel Islands Parker get together!

That sir is an excellent idea!!
I know a couple of Parker owners here in SB.May be we can meet at CIH,and criuse on over to Cruz or Capa for the day.
I'm down for anything as long as I get 1 dive
MJ.

 

[TunaJoe]

Michael
are you on Spearboard too?

I didnt know you have a Parker

Joe Westbury

 

[Micheal J]

Michael
are you on Spearboard too?

I didnt know you have a Parker

Joe Westbury

Yes that would be me.
Thinkin of makin a run on this coming Weds.
Rosa would be nice if Ma Nature lets me.
Just did my 400 hr service,and wanna put the new kelp cutter to use.