Scuba Diving Equipment for Kids & Children

It is only natural for scuba divers to want their children to experience the joys and excitement of scuba diving and to become certified scuba divers as well.  However, if the initial experience into scuba diving is not fun, then the child is unlikely to want to continue with scuba diving or even snorkeling.  Whenever someone tries something for the first time, if the experience is fun and enjoyable, then they are much more likely to continue with that activity.

The most common problem that children faces as a scuba diver is scuba diving equipment that just does not fit well.  It is only natural to want kids to try scuba diving before investing in the cost of equipment, but ill fitting equipment very often leads to an experience that is just not fun and means that the child will not want to continue.   Any child taking scuba lessons should have the appropriate children’s diving equipment.

Scuba Mask for Children

Many parents try and purchase as inexpensive a mask that they can find when shopping for their child.  The rational is that the child will outgrow the mask and quality is not cost effective.  However, this is not true.  A child’s face does grow but grows at a very slow rate.  A quality scuba mask with last several years and the child will benefit from the extra quality.  Inexpensive Scuba Masks are make of cheaper materials and do not fit as well.  Consequently, the lesser grade mask is harder to clear and the child does not have as enjoyable an experience as they would have with a quality scuba mask.

Buoyancy Control Devices or BCD’s for Children

Children are not only smaller then adults, they do not yet have the shape or body contours that an adult has.  Consequently, a buoyancy control device for children needs to be designed not only smaller but to fit the child so it does not slip or ride up during the scuba dive.  The Rebel BCD from Sub Gear and the Zeagle Ranger, Jr from Zeagle are two good options for the child scuba diver.

Scuba Regulators for Children

A very common misconception is that any regulator with a small mouthpiece is appropriate for children.  Not only does the mouthpiece need to be tailored for children but the hose length as well.  A regular length second stage hose is too long for most children.  If it is too long when the child his/her head to the right the regulator will push outward making it very uncomfortable and in turn making the child insecure.  A regulator for children needs shorter hoses so the Junior Scuba Diver has better control on keeping the mouthpiece properly positioned.

Wet Suits for Children

Whether you child is participating in scuba or snorkeling if they are cold they will not enjoy the experience, they will only focus on their discomfort.  A properly fitted wet suit designed for children, while it probably will only fit for one season is a good investment.  A child that is comfortable will enjoy scuba diving more and will want to continue diving.  Neosport by Henderson makes quality wet suits for children.

Children & Youth Scuba Diving Lessons

Finding a Dive Center to teach your children to scuba dive is not a simple matter.  Any Dive Center can teach scuba diving, but for children you want to make sure that the Dive Center specializes in scuba lessons for children.  They should have staff who are used to dealing with children and their shorter attention span.  The Dive Center should also have in stock not just small scuba equipment, but Scuba Equipment especially made for children.

Scuba Diving for Scouts

Scuba Diving has become so popular for children and young adults that the Boy Scouts of America now recognize it and have a Scuba Diving Merit Badge.   Introductory programs also exist for Scouts like the Scuba BSA patch and the Girl Scout Activity Patch.

Share The Joy of Scuba Diving

One of the great joys of life is sharing with you children.  Sharing the love of the underwater environment is something that you can give to your children that will last forever.

Learn to Scuba Dive: The Scuba Diving Merit Badge

Scuba Diving is an activity that appeals to people of all ages.  For years almost all scuba divers were young adults.  Now as our population ages, and we marry and have children of our own, it is only natural to want to do things as a family.  Since the minimum age to obtain Junior Scuba certification is ten years old, more and more children are enrolling in scuba diving training.

Since the Boy Scouts of America have long promoted outdoor adventures, Sea Base, the Boy Scouts Florida and Bahamas based summer camps have provided opportunities for Boy Scouts and Adventure Scouts to enjoy scuba diving.  It was only a matter of time, but after much research, The Boy Scouts of America instituted a Scuba Diving Merit Badge in December of 2009.

At Aquatic  Adventures, a Dive Center in Northern Virginia, Children and Youth Scuba Diving Lessons are very popular.  With the popularity of Sea Base our programs for Scuba Diving for Scouts is also becoming very popular.

Scuba Diving Merit Badge Requirements

Just becoming a Certified Scuba Diver is not sufficient to earn the Scuba Diving Merit Badge.  In addition the Scout needs to learn about Scuba Diving problems and potential injuries and their prevention and first aid.  The First Aid Merit Badge is also required.  The Scout will also learn about possible careers in scuba diving and the importance of the buddy system and underwater communications or sign language.  Lastly, the Scout learns about the ocean ecosystem and how they might impact us.

The Boy Scouts of America Scuba Diving Merit Badge is a worthwhile endeavor for the young Boy Scout or Adventure Scout.  Scuba Diving is a hobby that youth can partake of with their parents for many years to come.  Beside learning fun skills, it often opens up avenues for future career endeavors.

Scuba Lessons for Kids – PADI Seal Team

Most of us started scuba diving when we were much younger and maybe even before we settled down, married and began to raise a family.  Now that our children are getting older it is only natural that we want them to enjoy many of the same pursuits that we enjoy, like scuba diving.  What is the best way to go about this daunting task?

Junior Scuba Certification

If your child is at least 10 years old but under the age of 15 years old,  they can obtain full Junior Scuba certification by earning the Junior Open Water Certification.  This can be obtained at any Dive Center that offers Scuba Classes for Children.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center we routinely train younger divers throughout the year.

When a child certified as a Junior Open Water diver reaches the age of 15 they are automatically considered an Open Water Scuba Diver or adult diver.

PADI Seal Team

PADI Seal Team is scuba diving adventure for Kids ages 8 and older.  Kids will learn all about scuba diving in the comfort of a swimming pool under the guidance of a PADI Scuba Instructor.

PADI Seal Team is made up of 5 parts that are called Aqua Missions.  Each mission will teach the young student different skills that are needed to become a scuba diver.

Aqua Mission One focuses on how to breathe underwater, communicate underwater using hand signals, and how to keep their ears comfortable by equalizing while scuba diving.

Aqua Mission Two includes learning how to equalize your mask and how to clear and recover a regulator while underwater.

Aqua Mission Three shows the kids how to get water out of their scuba mask and how to float comfortably on the surface in scuba equipment, and how to use an alternate air source (called an octopus) in a simulated out of air emergency.

Aqua Mission Four emphasizes buoyancy control underwater, and other ways to recover and replace a regulator into your mouth while underwater.

Aqua Mission Five teaches the kids how to snorkel both with and without their scuba gear, how to switch between their snorkel and their scuba regulator, and provides further practice on everything that they learned.

During each Aqua Mission the youngsters will learn new skills and a few scuba rules.  They will play games that reinforce these new skills and rules to insure that when they have fun they do so safely.

Once the child completes all five Aqua Missions they will be certified as a Seal Team Member and receive their Seal Team Card.  But the fun does not have to end their.  Seal Team members can signup for Specialty Missions.  These Specialty Missions include snapshot or underwater picture taking, Creature ID, Inner Space and lots more.  After ten Specialty Missions the kids are called Master Seal Team members and receive a new card.

Scuba Diving Equipment for Kids

One final word about teaching children to learn to scuba dive.  Children are usually much smaller then adults.  When you take your child to a facility to learn to scuba dive make sure that the Dive Center has scuba diving equipment especially designed and sized for smaller divers.  It is very important that the child scuba diver has a fun experience and trying to make do with scuba equipment that is too large is no way to have fun.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy we have a few complete sets of scuba equipment set aside just for the child scuba diver.  We have Buoyancy Control Devices or BCD’s in child sizes and regulators with shorter hoses and smaller mouthpieces.  This helps ensure a fun and worthwhile experience for the child scuba diver.

SCUBA Diving Lessons Northern Virginia: Children & Youth Scuba Diving Lessons

Twenty years ago Scuba Diving was strictly an adult sport.  While there has always been a Junior Open Water Scuba Diver Certification available the number of children  Scuba Diving has been very limited.  As our population ages, however, the single Scuba Divers of 20 years ago are now parents looking to share the love of Scuba Diving with their children and are consequently seeking Children & Youth Scuba Diving Lessons.

Finding a Dive Center that offers Scuba Lessons for Children in Northern Virginia

Does the Dive Center offer Scuba Classes for Children?

Finding a Dive Center in Northern Virginia is the first step.  However, not every Dive Center is skilled at providing Scuba Lessons for Children.  Teaching children takes extra patience and understanding.  Children have a shorter attention span then adults and often do not understand many of the descriptive words in the Scuba Diving Manual so extra explanation is often required. Young children aged 10 or 11 will often need a private Scuba Instructor in the pool.  Does the Dive Center you are looking at have that available?

Does the Dive Center offer Scuba Equipment for Children?

In addition since most children are smaller then the average adult they require special Scuba Equipment.  Scuba Equipment for children is not something that just any Dive Center has.   Dive Centers that specialize in Scuba Classes for Children will have this equipment on hand.  Some of the equipment needed for children are wetsuits for children, Buoyancy Control Devices for children and even Scuba Regulators for children are fitted with shorter hoses and smaller mouthpieces.

What Scuba Courses for Children are available?

There are many Scuba Courses for Children available today.  PADI Seal Team is available for children eight and nine years old.  Some of the skills learned on Scuba in Seal Team is how to breath underwater, clearing your mask, recovering a regulator, how to equalize your ears and basic buoyancy skills.  Children who have participated in PADI Seal Team have a big jump start over other children when they later start the PADI Junior Open Water Course.

Children who are 10 and 11 years old can take the PADI Junior Open Water Diver Course and receive a limited certification.  They must dive with an adult buddy and are taught to dive to a depth of 40 feet maximum.  Children who are 12, 13 & 14 years old receive the standard Junior Open Water Diver certification.  These children still must dive with an adult buddy but are certified to dive to a depth of 60 feet.  Those that have taken and completed the PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Course can dive to a depth of 70 feet.

There are also a variety of Specialty Dive Courses available for children.  Junior Underwater Photography, Junior Night Diver, Junior Underwater Navigation, Junior Equipment Specialist and so forth.   A child between the ages of 12 and 14 who completes Junior Rescue Diver, five PADI Junior Specialty Diver Courses and has 50 logged dives qualifies for the PADI Junior Master Scuba Diver Certification.

Boy Scouts of America Scuba Diving Merit Badge

Scuba diving for children has become so popular that the Boy Scouts of America has even created a Scuba Diving Merit Badge.   This is fast becoming one of the more popular Merit Badges for Scouts.  Sea Base is a high adventures Boy Scout camp that affords Scuba Diving opportunities for Scouts.  Many Boy Scouts will prepare for a summer excursion to Sea Base by first becoming Scuba certified at their local Dive Center.  Aquatic Adventures in Alexandria Northern Virginia has helped several Boy Scout Troops prepare for Sea Base by providing Scuba Certification courses for Boy Scouts.  Girls Scouts has an IPP Badge for Girl Scouts who try scuba diving.

Getting  Your Children Certified as a Junior Scuba Diver

Scuba Diving for Children begins with finding a local Dive Center that specializes in Scuba Instruction for children.  The Dive Center must have an inventory that includes Scuba Diving Equipment for Children and a staff of Instructors that are comfortable and enjoy working with children.  Look for a quality local Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures in Alexandria Virginia .   Check out the Dive Center to make sure that all of these amenities are available.  Talk to others who have taken classes and purchased equipment for their recommendations as to the Best Dive Center in Northern Virginia and then jump in.

Scuba Classes Alexandria Virginia for Kids – Get your kids off to a great start!

“Nothing is more rewarding then teaching children about the wonders of the undersea world,” says Marty Rayman, Owner and Course Director of Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center located in Alexandria, Virginia, located in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.  I started my love of the sea as a youngster.  I can still remember watching the television show Sea Hunt with Lloyd Bridges, and wanting to grow up and become a scuba diver.  Now many years later I am actually living my childhood dream.

The most wonderful aspect of children learning to scuba dive is not only are they acquiring a life long skill that may shape their lives, but they are learning a skill that they can continue to use with their parents long after they have reached adulthood.  Both of my children learned to dive when they were 10 years old.  Now they are in high school and would rather be with their friends then their parents.  However, whenever we plan a scuba diving excursion they are right there ready and willing.  It is something we can always do together regardless of how old they get.

When you are ready to start your child on scuba you begin by finding a Dive Center that is knows how to teach children and offer such Special Scuba Diver Courses.  Teaching children takes patience and understanding.  It also takes specialized equipment.  Small sized adult equipment is very often not appropriate for children.  Start by looking for such a Dive Center by doing your local internet search.  I live in Alexandria, Virginia and and would search for Children’s Scuba Lessons, Alexandria, Virginia or Children’s Scuba Courses Northern Virginia.  You could also look for Scuba Equipment for Children Alexandria, VA.

Once you find a Dive Center that your are comfortable with, then you need to decide what course is appropriate for your child.  There are a lot of programs designed specifically for children.  PADI Seal Team is for children 8 to 10 years old.  It is a pool only experience where the youngster first learns to breath off of a scuba regulator, and some basic underwater skills.  Once the child turns 10 years old they can take the PADI Junior Open Water course.

At 10 or 11 years old your child can take the Junior Open Water course and will receive a limited certification to dive to a maximum depth of 40 feet.  A 12, 13 or 14 year old will receive a PADI Junior Open Water certification certification with a maximum depth of 60 feet.  Once your child is 15 years old they receive a normal adult certification.

Your 12 to14 year old child is not limited to just the Junior Open Water Course.  Just as there are  Scuba Continuing Education courses for adult divers there are Scuba Continuing Education Courses for children.  There is a PADI Junior Advanced Open Water course that takes your child to skills beyond the open water course.  This give your child a maximum depth of 70 feet and also teaches additional skills like underwater navigation and maybe even junior night diving or junior underwater photography.  Your child does not have to stop there.  They can enroll in the PADI Junior Rescue Diver course to learn about helping to assist divers with problems.  Once your child has the PADI Junior Rescue Diver course and five PADI Junior Specialty Courses, like PADI Junior Night Diver, PADI Junior Underwater Digital Photographer, etc and has logged 50 dives they can become a PADI Junior Master Scuba Diver, which is quite an accomplishment.

The PADI Junior Diver certifications become regular adult certifications automatically when the child reaches the age of 15.  Another consideration for the child diver is the appropriate equipment.  Small adult gear is usually not sufficient both fit wise and safety wise for a child.  A child get cold faster then an adult and should have a Children’s wetsuit that fits properly.  Children’s BCD or buoyancy control device is also a good investment for your child.  If the BCD does not fit properly they will not have good control of their buoyancy and that makes diving more difficult and is not the safest option.  A good, well fitted BCD is both a comfort issue and a safety issue.    An adult regulator may have hoses that are too long of a child.  Changing the hose length and putting a child sized mouthpiece on the scuba regulator is also a good safe option for your child.  I did this for both of my children and when they grew to adult size I just simply put the original hoses back on and their child sized regulator became an adult scuba regulator once again.

If your children are old enough and mature enough to start scuba lessons then you are on the road to providing them both an incredible educational opportunity, a lifetime of enjoyment and excitement and of obtaining a new dive partner or dive buddy and friend.

Scuba Dive Training at Aquatic Adventures – Alexandria Virginia

How do you become a Scuba Diver? The first step to becoming a Scuba Diver is to enroll is to enroll in a recognized course of scuba instruction.  The beginner or first course is the Open Water Course.  There are many worthwhile Scuba Agencies available.  Like anything else, it pays to shop around; some programs are better then others, or at least there are several differences among them.

The Professional Association of Dive Instructors or PADI, is the largest scuba-training agency in the world. Because PADI has the most complete and widely recognized diver training programs, you can be confident that at Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, you are earning the most respected diver credentials available. The certification that you earn at our Award Winning PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center located in Alexandria, Virginia is even recommended for college credit.

The PADI Open Water Diver Course is divided into two segments.  Part One is Academic and Confined Water Training, better known as your Class & Pool Sessions.  Here the new diver learns the basic principles and knowledge of safe diving practices which leads to safe and enjoyable diving.  The Open Water Course used to be several weeks long.  Now due to improvements in the student kit or PADI Open Water Manual and DVD’s that show the new diver what these new skills look like, much of the training can be conducted at home.  Once the student completes the reading and viewing of the video they then complete the Academics with their Scuba Instructor.  The Scuba Instructor will go over these materials and personalize them so that the diver understands just how it applies to them and what they can expect when they are actually on their Scuba Diving Vacation.  Many Scuba Agencies or Organizations offer this part on-line.  The material covered is the same but the student does not have a live Instructor with which to interact and to explain exactly what to expect in particular dive locations.   On Line Scuba Courses are also usually more expensive then regular courses.

The confined water part is usually completed in a swimming pool.  The major items of Scuba Equipment, (wetsuit, Scuba regulator, buoyancy control device or BCD and Scuba cylinder) are usually provided by the Dive Center running the class.  Personal items for each student (mask, snorkel, dive boots and fins) are usually purchased by the student from the Dive Center.   These items are used when ever diving and are a good investment.   It is in the pool that the new diver learns the actual skills that will be used while Scuba Diving.    While there are several skills needed to dive many of them are actually “What Ifs”  What if something goes wrong.  Here the student learns about potential problems and how to prevent them.  And just as important if one where to occur how to safely and calmly handle the situation.

The Academic and Confined Water sessions can be safely completed in as little as one weekend if the materials are read prior to class.  Programs that try and compress all of this in one day are to be avoided.  They do not provide the necessary repetition and practice necessary to become a safe and proficient diver.

Once the first part is completed the student is ready for the Part Two: The Open Water Dives.  The Open Water Dives consists of four dives done under the supervision of a Scuba Instructor.  Here the diver demonstrates that they can dive safely and understand the basic skills.  It is not uncommon for a Scuba Student to take the Class & Pool at a local Dive Center and then complete the second part or Open Water Dives while on a dive trip or Scuba vacation.  While diving in an exotic location is fun, completing your dives with the Scuba Instructor you had in the pool has several advantages.  The Instructor knows you and knows your what you know and what you might want additional practice with.  Diving locally has other advantages as well.  You will usually learn better and learn to be more skillful in a local lake then you would at a Caribbean resort.   Which ever method you choose once you successfully complete the dive you are then Certified as an Open Water Diver.

As an Open Water Diver you are trained to dive to a depth of 60 feet.  You are also trained to know and understand the basic Scuba equipment.  Because the Open Water course only covers the basics most divers are advised to continue their Scuba Diving Education with additional Scuba Courses.  The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is the next step.

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy in Alexandria Virginia is a PADI 5 Star Instructor DevelopmentC Dive Center in Northern Virginia

There are a whole host of Scuba Diving Certifications and there are also a significant number of Scuba Certifying Agencies.  What is the difference and which one is right for me?  These are just a few of the questions that I am asked on a regular basis.

First, in regard to Scuba Certifying Agencies, there are several of them.  Back in 1987 most of these agencies came together to form the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC).  Their first order of business was to standardize just what needed to be taught in order to provide divers with the necessary information and skills to Scuba Dive safely.  While all of these agencies now follow the same general format for teaching there still are some major differences.  Our Dive Center, Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy located in Alexandria, Northern Virginia follows the program set up by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI.  PADI is not only the world’s largest Scuba Certification Agency, but in my opinion they have, by far, the finest course materials (Scuba Books, Manuals and DVD’s) of any agency around.  These course materials make it easier for the new Scuba Diving Student to learn and retain the important information required to Scuba dive safely.  The beginner Scuba Certification is called the Open Water Certification.  This course which was once several weeks long can now be taught safely and conveniently in as little as two weekends due to these new course materials.

In the PADI Open Water Certification course the new diver learns the basic Scuba diving

skills and knowledge of dive theory to safely dive.  The Open Water Certified Diver is trained to dive to a depth of 60 feet.  The new diver also learns about the basic Scuba Diving Equipment that is used when diving.  While there are several different types of diving it is now the prevailing thought to learn the basics in the Open Water Course then to add to this by taking additional courses.  This makes the learning easier and less task loading.

The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is designed to immediately follow the Open Water Course.  In this course the diver learns to dive deeper then 60 feet.  Additional practice in the areas of Buoyancy, Underwater Navigation, Night Diving and Deep Diving are also covered.  There is even time to add a dive or two featuring other areas of Scuba Diving interest like Search & Recovery Diving, Multilevel Diving, Underwater Photography and so forth.

Once the Scuba Diving basics from Open Water and Advanced Open Water are mastered it is time to start on new underwater adventures.  The PADI Rescue Diver course teaches you about possible diving problems and emergencies.  First, by being aware of them you will take steps to prevent them.  Second, since you will have practiced what to do in these emergencies, you will be able to react without undue stress or nervousness.  The PADI Rescue Diver course is one where divers really start to feel comfortable and more confident in their diving abilities.
Once the PADI Rescue Diver certification is completed the diver then needs to decide whether to pursue individual areas of interest or whether or not they want to start the professional route of Divemaster or Instructor.    We will discuss becoming a PADI Professional at another time.

For many of us the next step is PADI Master Scuba Diver.  A Master Scuba Diver is a diver who has completed PADI Rescue Diver course, 5 different PADI Specialty Diver Courses and has also logged over 50 Scuba Dives.   This is a mark of accomplishment and shows that the diver who holds this rating has experience in different types of diving, well beyond the entry level certifications.

Some of the more popular PADI Specialty Diver Courses are PADI Wreck Diver and PADI Deep Diver.  Those divers who enjoy diving on shipwrecks find these two certifications helpful and lead nicely into the PADI Wreck Diver Course.  Enriched Air Nitrox is probably PADI’s most popular Specialty Diver Course.  This course allows the diver longer bottom times on their dives and thus more time to enjoy the sights.

While all of these courses can be completed locally, many of these are ideal for one of our Scuba Diving Trips that we run throughout the year.  Underwater Photography, PADI Boat Diver and PADI Drift Diver are examples of courses that work well while on vacation in someplace like the Caribbean.

At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy we offer all of these PADI Scuba Diving Courses.  We also offer several Scuba Diving Vacations and Trips to the Caribbean and elsewhere throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning to Scuba Dive:

Ever since the advent of such TV Shows like Sea Hunt, Nature, and the Jacques Cousteau series of TV specials people have been enamored with Scuba diving.  Many of us are ready to try it but have several questions about it prior to jumping in.

Having been a PADI Scuba Instructor for over 25 years, and owning a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center.  Aquatic Adventures is in Northern Virginia,  I have seen and heard a lot of misconceptions about scuba diving.  Lets look at some of these questions:

Do I need to be an expert swimmer in order to scuba dive?
Not at all.  You should be able to swim non-stop for 200 yards using any stroke or combination of strokes that you prefer.  We also ask that you be able to tread water or float in place for ten minutes.  It is not necessary to be an Olympic swimmer, just that you not be afraid of the water.

Do I need to have a physical examination before taking scuba lessons?
Once you have enrolled in your scuba course you will be given a student folder with a “Medical History” questionnaire.  If none of the conditions listed pertain to you, then no further action is necessary.  If, however, you answer, “yes” to any of the questions, you will be given a “Medical Release” to take to your physician.  It is required that this release be signed by a physician prior to starting your pool or open water training.  The purpose of the “Medical Release” is for your safety, to ensure that you would not be putting yourself at risk.  Should you need to obtain a Medical Release you can obtain one from the Dive Center where you are taking your Scuba Course.

Where do I start – what course do I take first?
The beginning certification course is called the Open Water Course.  This course, which consists of both class, pool and open water dives teaches you the basics of Scuba diving.  You not only learn the basic skills, but about the Scuba equipment that you will use (regulator, tank, buoyancy device and wetsuit) when Scuba diving and even about places to dive.

How long does my certification last?
Your certification card has no expiration date.  It is, however, recommended that you stay proficient in regards to your scuba skills.  If you have not scuba dived in awhile it would be prudent to take a “Scuba Review Course” to refresh both your scuba knowledge and skills.

What equipment will I need for the class?
Most Dive Centers will require you to have your own personal Dive Equipment.  This is your own mask, snorkel, boots and fins.  You will use these every time you go diving and they are a good investment.  Some Dive Centers or Instructors may offer to loan you personal equipment but having your own is far better.  It will save you money versus renting them in the future and most people are far more comfortable in their own personal equipment.  If you are not comfortable you simply will not enjoy your dives as much.

What do I learn during the pool sessions of my Open Water Course?
Besides learning some basic Scuba skills, you will learn most what I call “What Ifs.”  What if something went wrong, like what do I do if my mask fogs up underwater and I cannot see out of it?  By learning these potential problems you will take steps to prevent them (use defog prior to your dive) and should they occur you will not be in a panic since you will have practiced what to do ahead of time.  You will learn and preform these skills under the direct supervision of your Scuba Instructor.

What happens during the Open Water Certification Dives?
The Open Water Certification Dives are not a test.  You can only accomplish so much in the limited space of a swimming pool.  The Open Water Dives are an opportunity for you to experience the vastness of open water and simultaneously perfect your scuba skills.

There are four dives for the Open Water Certification.  While all of the dives are fun, the first dive is strictly a “fun dive.”   You are taken on tour by your Instructor so that you can see what scuba diving really is.  The next three dives will start with a few of the basic skills that you learned in the swimming pool.  You will not be asked to do anything that you have not done before.  After completing the few skills you will again go on a “fun tour” of the dive site, being accompanied by a trained professional Scuba Instructor.

What is the first piece of Scuba equipment I should purchase after becoming a diver?
Once you become certified, you will naturally think about purchasing you own equipment.  If you will dive more than once or twice a year it is probably worthwhile in purchasing a complete set of equipment.  If finances or the number of times that you will dive dictate otherwise, start with the items that are most personally fitted.

Most divers will start with a wetsuit appropriate for the areas that they will be diving.  Having your own suit is not only more comfortable but more hygienic as well.  The second piece of equipment should be the buoyancy control device.  Both of these items need to fit perfectly to be 100 percent effective.  Most of us are not models and having our own would make our diving not only safer but also more enjoyable.

After obtaining my Open Water Certification, what course should I take next?
No question, take the Advanced Open Water Course (AOW) as soon after as you can. The AOW course is not restricted to advanced divers; it is a continuation of the Open Water course and is perfect for the newly certified diver.  It is only one night of classroom and five dives under the supervision of your instructor.  In one short weekend you will not only double your experience, but you will encounter new types of diving.  Underwater navigation, night diving, deep diving and other areas of diving interest, such as photography and wreck diving await you.

A whole new world awaits you underwater.  You can learn to Scuba Dive in only two weekends.  Get out and enjoy the underwater world.

Aquatic Adventures Children and Scuba Diving Specialists in Northern Virginia

Family Scuba Diving Vacation:

When I was single I would go on a scuba diving vacation where ever I wanted and when ever I wanted.  Now that I am married and have children I have to plan my vacations around my children.  When they were little my wife and I would take them everywhere we went.  We would take turns diving, one of us would go out on the dive boat and the other would take the kids to the beach or pool – then we would switch.

Once my children reached school age we could only take them on a trip during the summer vacation or during the Thanksgiving break from school.  Again my wife and I would take turns diving and taking the kids snorkeling.  Since we are both PADI Scuba Instructors we were careful not to push them into Scuba diving.  They learned to snorkel and loved it, especially since they had their own child size mask, snorkel and fins.  When they were older and asked us to teach them to dive we did so.  It was “their idea not ours.”

Training Children to Scuba Dive

Once the decision was made to teach my children to scuba dive the first question would be where to have them trained?  For us it was a not an issue, since we are both Scuba Instructors, we would do the training ourselves.  Children, however, cannot expect to use adult equipment and learn without problems. Properly fitted equipment designed for children is a must. Since we own our own Dive Center we ordered a buoyancy control device or BCD designed for children and a regulator specially fitted with shorter hoses and a child’s mouthpiece.  We also fitted each of them in their own wetsuit.  If children get cold they will not enjoy the experience and will not want to dive.   We now have several of each of these in rental for training children.

The Boys Scouts of America now has a Scuba Diving Merit Badge in addition to a Scuba BSA patch. The Girl Scouts of  America has an Interest Participation Patch for a Scuba Diving Pool Experience.  The Boy Scouts also have a summer camp called Sea Base that offers snorkeling and Scuba Diving for Scouts and Scouters (adult Scout parents) accompanying them.  There is even a Scuba Diving Merit Badge for Boy Scouts.  If you are a non diver consider taking the course with your child.  It is something fun and exciting to do together.  If you learn to Scuba dive with your child can be a real bonding experience.  It is also something you will do together long after your children have grown to the age where they want to be with their friends.

If you decide that this is something worthwhile for your family, start by selecting a Dive Center that is “into children.”  Make sure that they have equipment specifically fitted for the adolescent diver.  Ask questions.  Not all Scuba Instructors have the patience necessary for younger divers.  Those who have children of their own or who are involved in Scouting often make the best Scuba Instructors for children. Once they are certified consider getting them their own Scuba equipment.  Most resorts do not have children sizes of equipment in stock.  Making do with adult equipment can be very difficult for anyone, especially children. The extra expense is well worth it if your children develop a love for diving and if you consider the extra safety factor.

Take a little time and you and your children are in for a life time of fun and adventure.