DiveN2Life/Kristin PaterakisFamiliarizing your kids with scuba gear and how it works can help ease their nerves—before they ever get into the water.
Scuba diving is a sport that your entire family can enjoy, one that can lead to some of the most rewarding adventures you will ever share. It unlocks an entirely new part of the world to explore and helps you make memories that will last a lifetime. But before your child embarks on their dive journey, it’s important to remember this isn’t only about gear and skills—it’s about ensuring their comfort underwater. By beginning from a space of safety and comfort, the underwater world will always feel like home. Here are five manageable things I’ve done to help prepare my 13-year-old son for his upcoming PADI Open Water Diver certification.
1. Get Comfortable in The Pool
Before your child ever straps on a tank, make sure they are comfortable and enjoy spending time in the water. Let them play around. Encourage them to submerge their face and blow bubbles. The safer they feel in the pool, the more likely they are to be relaxed when the course begins. You can introduce them to basic gear, like a mask and snorkel. Let them get used to the feeling of breathing through a snorkel while water surrounds their face and ears.
2. Equalize Early
Have your child practice “popping” their ears by holding their nose and gently blowing or swallowing. Practice this technique in the pool or even while driving on roads with elevation changes. If they recognize the feeling and understand what to do, they are far less likely to experience discomfort during the course. Also make sure they know to stop their descent if they can't equalize, and em-phasize that their instructor or buddy will only know they can't equalize if they signal.
3. Get Hands-On with Gear
Scuba gear can be intimidating a first glance. If you have your own gear at home, let your child check it out. If you don’t, take a trip to a dive shop for a look. Turn their curiosity into confidence. Talk about what each component does to make it less daunting. Allow them to touch the gear and ask questions. When it’s time for their first class, gear will feel more familiar than foreign. Note: While it’s not necessary to invest in a full kit for fast-growing kids, it is a good idea to invest in a well-fitting mask. A leaky mask can quickly ruin their experience.
Related Reading: 5 Tips for Liveaboard Diving With Kids
DiveN2Life/Kristin PaterakisWith the right plan in place, even youngsters can become confident scuba students.
4. Find a Family-Friendly Dive Center
A kid-friendly dive shop and scuba instructor can make all the difference in your child’s path to certification. Find a dive center that regularly certifies junior divers and works with families. And if you are already connected with a great dive center, the familiarity will help put your child at ease. When certification time comes around, resist the urge to step in and help. Instead, allow them to feel ownership over the certification process. Your encouragement will allow their confidence to grow.
Related Reading: Finding Family Fun at Beaches Turks and Caicos
5. Keep It Fun
Certification leads to adventure, so the journey should be fun, not a chore. Keep the emphasis on positivity, and celebrate small milestones, such as mastering mask clearing! A logbook will take them from adventure to adventure, so consider letting them make it their own by decorating it. Talk about where your child’s first certified dive will be, and let them be a part of the planning process. Remember, you’re not only creating a new diver, you’re making a lifelong dive buddy.
