Scuba for teenage boys

[beachgirl1987]

We are on the Legend in August, and my boys ages 16 and 13 want to try their hands at scuba diving. I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone can answer.........My husband and I aren't interested in doing that ourselves, so can they go by themselves? They are very well behaved and would take direction seriously. Also is it better to book through Carnival for this excursion, or do any of you know an outside company in any of these Western Carib. ports that are better. If an adult needs to be present, then my husband will accompany them.

 

Thanks,

 

Maria

[DqALEX]

Your best shot is going to be the port of call board. You can also go to Carnival.com put in your cruise and take a look at the excursions. I'm sure you will find what you are looking for.

[dmdiver]

Your boys are old enough to scuba, but I don't know if a dive operator will take minors without a parent along. Scuba is not without risk, even on a shallow dive. I personally don't feel comfortable letting my kids go anywhere without me in port and they are 24, 21 & 16. Grand Cayman has the best diving I've ever seen. The waters are calm & clear.

 

As far as booking the excursion through the ship or independently, from what I read, it will cost less independently. However, if your excursion is late returning, the ship will not wait unless it was booked through the ship.

[getta]

Are you talking begining scuba? Because you need a c-card to do scuba diving,

 

Ray

[Elationismyship]

Are you talking begining scuba? Because you need a c-card to do scuba diving,

 

Ray

 

In the caribbean the rules are not so tight, they have "resort" courses that teach you in 1 hour and then take you to about 20 feet deep. I've seen them all over. Are they safe, definitely not as safe as haveing a c-card that is for sure.

 

To the original poster, if your kids are going to do it without you, I would pay the extra and have them go on a Carnival excursion. Just a little added piece of mind that if the tour is late then Carnival knows, etc.

[G'ma]

We are on the Legend in August, and my boys ages 16 and 13 want to try their hands at scuba diving. I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone can answer.........My husband and I aren't interested in doing that ourselves, so can they go by themselves? They are very well behaved and would take direction seriously. Also is it better to book through Carnival for this excursion, or do any of you know an outside company in any of these Western Carib. ports that are better. If an adult needs to be present, then my husband will accompany them.

 

Thanks,

 

Maria

 

In the past, I have taken my grandson with me once a year since he was 8. The last cruise with him, he was almost 18. He wasn't permitted on most shore excursions alone until he was 16,,,so, whether your kids can go alone is questionable. Best to call Carnival for that information.

 

There are shore excursions for the beginner and, if it were me, that's what I'd book. Scuba can be a lot of fun and a real adventure but not something a novice can simply DO. There is some training involved. Also, be aware that Carnival accepts no responsibility should something go awry...

 

Here is one beginner excursion for Grand Cayman....the details, anyway....looks like pricing is about 120.00 each:

 

This is the perfect opportunity to try scuba diving for the first time.

On this excursion you will:

• Be transported to Casuarina Point for an instructional orientation.
  
• Have a practice session in shallow waters to get accustomed to the equipment.
  
• Be escorted by your certified dive master on a shallow (up to 40 ft.) dive.
  
• Marvel at the wonders of the underwater world on your first scuba experience.
  

Note: All equipment is provided. Minimum age is 12 years.

A medical questionnaire release form will be required for you to complete informing you of some of the potential risks involved in scuba diving and of the conduct required of you during the discover scuba diving program.

If you would answer yes to any of these questions, we must request that you consult a physician prior to participating in this excursion:

Do you have an ear infection, a history of ear disease, hearing loss or problems with balance, a history of ear or sinus surgery?

Are you suffering from a cold, congestion, sinusitis or bronchitis? Do you have a history of respiratory problems, severe attacks of hayfever or allergies or lung disease, have a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or history of chest surgery?

Do you have active asthma or history of emphysema or tuberculosis, are you currently taking medication that carries a warning about any impairment of your physical or mental abilities? Do you have behavioral health, mental or psychological problems or a nervous system disorder?

Are you or could you be pregnant, do you have a history of colostomy, a history of heart disease or heart attack, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?

Do you have a history of high blood pressure, angina, or take medication to control blood pressure? Are you over 45 years of age and have a family history of heart attack or stroke, a history of bleeding or other blood disorders, a history of diabetes?

Do you have a history of seizures, blackouts or fainting, convulsions or epilepsy or take medications to prevent them? Do you have a history of back, arm or leg problems following an injury, fracture or surgery?

Do you have a history of fear of closed or open spaces or panic attacks (claustrophobia or agoraphobia)?

[skylock]

Do it in Cozumel. Go to the Chaknaab(sp?) park and there are 3 dive shops right there. You do not need to prearrange. It will be a shore dive which I think is best for a first time. It will take all of 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Last time we did a resort dive there it was $75. They will have one on one instruction and dive master in the water. They will take them down about 40 feet.

 

While they are out, you and your husband can enjoy the park.

 

After they fall in love with it, you can plan a trip back to Cozumel for a week and let them get certified. I got certified there on a 7 day vacation cheaper than I could do it at home. I suggest Aqua Safari. Their shop is right on Main Street. You learn in the water right across the street and their boat dock is right there too for your main dives.

[SCUBA Mark]

Carnival offers a shore excursion called Beginner SCUBA Diving. Sometimes it is called Discover SCUBA and is taught by PADI certified instructors

 

Here are the words from the Carnival web site on this shore excursion

 

You don’t need certification for this incredible scuba diving adventure.

 

On this excursion you will:

 

Join PADI certified dive instructors for a 30-minute instructional orientation.

Test your skills and gain some confidence in shallow water.

Once you’re ready, be taken up to 20 feet below the surface.

Encounter schooling fish and brilliant coral formations indigenous to the Mayan Caribbean.

Note: Minimum age for participation is 10 years. Guests must complete and pass a medical questionnaire/waiver in order to participate.

 

The use of underwater cameras is prohibited on this excursion.

[hoop4321]

As someone who once worked in the dive industry, I would not send my kids to do a discover scuba program. Diving is wonderful, but it is not without it's risks. When you take into account, that if they are injured, the medical care in most Caribbean nations would be sub par to what you will get in the states it is very risky. Both my husband and I have worked as divemasters, and both of us have rescued people. We just got our 13 yr old certified and plan to dive on our cruise. We would never leave for a trip of diving with out purchasing insurance from DAN. Not only do they cover treatment, but also cover evacuation to proper medical care. If it were me...... would get the whole family certified. A family that dives together, has a blast together.

[peaece13]

I would not send them alone nor do I think a tour operator would take them w/out an adult. I would recommend isla roatan to dive

I just went on the legend and we did beginner scuba and they were very professional. There were

4 divers to one instructor and there were only 12 people on our excursion. The cool reefs in roatan

Are just amazing. Check out my review in my signature to see some pictures of the island.

[JoeMissile]

We were on the Legend in June '09 and we took the Discover Scuba offered via Carnival at Belize via Hugh Parkey. In our class we had two girls with their mother, one girl was just over ten the other was 14 or so. I believe 10 is the minimum age and the instructor asked a few times for her age. Anyway, they did the dive and I believe they had no problems (wasn't in their group), but I did see them a few times at depth (40' or so).

 

My suggestion is would be to identify the dive shop being used and ask their policy AFA minors, maybe try and get something from them in writing to show Carnival that it's OK for your children to go, or possibly have an adult could escort them and not take place in the dive. It's really up to the dive shop I would guess. My gut feeling is that Hugh Parkey would do it as they seemed very low key but always emphasized safety. You would need to fill out and sign the medical questionnaire ahead of time too. I doubt a minor's signature would work for this.

 

While you didn't ask, here's a brief synopsis of our experience that may help you decide: A group of 15 of us went right from the Carnival to a Hugh Parkey dive boat at 8:30. The boat took off and put the pedal-to-the-metal for an extremely fun and fast! (35 knots I'm guessing) ride to their private island. There we had to fill out some waivers and medical history forms. Then watched a 45 minute video of what you'll be doing and various safety procedures. (clearing the mask, buddy breath, etc).

 

A boat ride followed going out to an area where the water was about 10 ft deep, and once you're geared up, into the water!. After a few quick checks of the equipment, you drop to the bottom in a group of 3/4 where each person demonstrates their proficiency in the safety techniques from the video.

 

After that, back on the boat for a ten minute ride out to deeper water. Then over the side again. They establish a line to the bottom and each group proceeds to the bottom where you more or less have a supervised swim at 40 feet where we saw lots of coral of and fish. Occasionally the instructor would "ask" about your air supply and was always asking for the OK sign. After 30 minutes, back to the rope and ascent to the surface, where there was watermelon, pineapple, and chips w/salsa waiting.

 

 

Then a boat ride back to the island, and 15 minutes later a ride back to the Legend, We were back aboard by 1:30 and had time to go to the port and grab few beers in town. Overall a great experience, and Hugh Parkey did a fine job. Really liked the small group, the ocean dive, (no shoreline murkiness), the direct connect to/from the ship and the friendly, funny staff. Hope it works for your children!

[Joules1111]

I would not send them alone nor do I think a tour operator would take them w/out an adult. I would recommend isla roatan to dive

I just went on the legend and we did beginner scuba and they were very professional. There were

4 divers to one instructor and there were only 12 people on our excursion. The cool reefs in roatan

Are just amazing. Check out my review in my signature to see some pictures of the island.

+1 to this recommendation.

 

My husband and I did the beginners Scuba in Roatan (through Carnival) and the operation was very professional and nice. The reef was gorgeous and I think we went down to about 40 ft. Bonus, the practice area was right next to the dolphin encounter area, so we also got to see the dolphins. :)

[nmyorkiemom]

We also did the discover scuba excursion thru Carnival off the Legend 2 yrs ago in Belize. DS was 17, DD 15. I went with them as they were minors & not permitted alone. Hugh Parkey gave me & another mom the option of wanting to do the dive, or just sit on the boat, or one of the crew could have taken us snorkeling.

 

EXTREMELY nice, well run organization. Would definitely do again. I wouldn't let my kids go alone, though, too many risks.

[satxdiver]

I would run the other way from any dive shop that offers non-certified dives to minors without the parent/guardian present. This is not a reputable dive operation IMO. Anytime you dive all reputable dive operations will require you to read and sign a "hold harmless" legal agreement. Only adults can sign this by most nation's laws. That alone should be a danger signal. To put it bluntly trained certified SCUBA divers die each year due to mistakes they made. SCUBA diving has significant risks just like sky diving, race car driving, etc.

 

As a trained dive master, my recommendation is to get certified by your local dive shop before attempting to dive in the Caribbean or any other large body of water. The other recommendation already mentioned is to buy dive insurance from DAN (Diver's Assistance Network). Simply coming to the surface too quickly from depth can result in a trip to the nearest anabolic chamber ($$$) or worse death. BTW the common term used for coming to the surface quickly is called the bends.

[skylock]

Again I say, do it in Cozumel. At the park. It will not be 3-4 per dive master, it will be one on one. It will be a shore dive which means there will be no boat ride.

 

We always take our friends that want to try a dive there. Even the stupidest person I have ever known did it without problem. The dive master held her hand the whole time I think.

 

And I hope all these nay sayers have not changed your mind. The only think I can think of that would be greater than diving is going up in a U2 spy plane. Since I am not likely to have that chance, I will have to settle with diving. (you have to go up in the U2 in a space suit because at 50,000 ft, your blood would boil otherwise)

 

It is absolutely beyond me why all these people think if your husband, who I am assuming would be brand new to diving too, would make one bit of difference by being there. In fact, if he is not too keen on being there in the first place, he could actually hurt the experience. If he wants to go, great, they can accommodate him.

 

And one final thing. These people did not just start doing this yesterday. This is what they do for a living. They take people diving probably everyday.

[skylock]

We also did the discover scuba excursion thru Carnival off the Legend 2 yrs ago in Belize. DS was 17, DD 15. I went with them as they were minors & not permitted alone. Hugh Parkey gave me & another mom the option of wanting to do the dive, or just sit on the boat, or one of the crew could have taken us snorkeling.

 

EXTREMELY nice, well run organization. Would definitely do again. I wouldn't let my kids go alone, though, too many risks.

 

 

What makes it less risky by your being there? That is not meant to be an ugly question. I am just wondering why you think by being there that you could handle any problem that came up better than the dive master?

[satxdiver]

<snip> (you have to go up in the U2 in a space suit because at 50,000 ft, your blood would boil otherwise)

 

It is absolutely beyond me why all these people think if your husband, who I am assuming would be brand new to diving too, would make one bit of difference by being there. In fact, if he is not too keen on being there in the first place, he could actually hurt the experience. If he wants to go, great, they can accommodate him.

 

And one final thing. These people did not just start doing this yesterday. This is what they do for a living. They take people diving probably everyday.

 

At 50,000 feet ASL the air temperature is a bit lower than -82 degrees F. I am not sure how that will make your blood boil. On commercial aircraft the cabin has to be pressurized since the oxygen level outside is greatly diminished. At 50,000 feet you need an oxygen source and protection from the cold.

 

It is not so much that a parent can help as it is that a parent has hopefully more sense and not as foolhardy as a lot of teenagers. It also helps to have an adult on vigil to warn against any perceived impending dangers. There also is the requirement to sign a "hold harmless" agreement that requires an adult signature for underage participants.

 

I have dived in the Pacific, Atlantic and Caribbean and seen a lot of dive operations. There are those that cut corners and some that outright dangerous. It is like everything in this world. There are those that would throw safety to the wind to make a dollar. Let the buyer beware.

[hoop4321]

i guess that would make me be in the naysayer group......I find it funny that it was pointed out that these are professionals, they do this every day. If you only knew how some diving schools churn out dive professionals at high speed.....from open water to instructor in less than 2 months.......very scary. When I did this every day....I saw competent instructors, but a lot more of the less competent. When we searched for instruction for our 13 yr old, we toured every school in the area, and asked lots of questions from the instructors. Price did not play a part in our decision....we figure you get what you pay for. There is a high turnover rate in dive professionals.....usually they last 3 yrs. The owners of the shops and boats hang around...but your core staff...instructors and dive masters have a high burn out rate. It is a physical job, with low pay...my husband and I filled the gap between college and the real careers we would embark on. Everyone we knew in the business has moved on. The majority of dives....even with the incompetents turned out OK....But there were accidents......people being bent from coming up to fast.....heart attacks, to someone having problems at the surface and drowning with 1200 psi in the tank....he took off his mask and spit his regulator out, forgot to fill his BC with air at the surface, never dumped his weights. The next day his mask was found on our charter. Each of us as crew wanted to tell the guy that thought it was his lucky day to find a brand new mask on the bottom what it was, but we passed the buck.....he was never told....just eerie to us. The guy by the way was an open water student, finishing up his second 60 ft dive....his problem was not at the bottom, but at the surface...poor guy. When you say we had fun, we will be safe with our dive master, I'm glad you feel that way and hope you will get certified for other great times diving...for my son......i wanted him to be able to get out of any situation possible. Good luck either way....be safe.

[skylock]

Good God. These teens want to go on a resort dive, not a dive to the center of the earth. They will be down 20-40 feet for 20-30 max. There will be no heart attacks unless maybe they have genetic heart defects already. There will be no bends. If they go nuts and spit everything out, they can just go to the surface.

 

I think I have provided the best option for the teens.

 

The op has already said the kids know how to take direction well.

 

I personally think having a nervous parent with them would offer far more risk than letting them go with a dive master.

 

I have been diving many years now. The only sorry dive master I have ever encountered was right here in the US.

 

And BTW, You have to wear a space suit if you go up in a U2 to prevent your body fluids from boiling. Look it up. You will find out I know what I am talking about.

[dmdiver]

I don't think anyone is saying that by being there a parent can prevent something from happening. You can't. However, if something were to happen, I would rather be right there than off on a different excursion in a foreign country.

 

Again, scuba is not without risk. My dh & I have considered diving on our upcoming cruise, but would have to take a refresher course as we haven't gone in the past 3 years. If your boys do a discover scuba or beginner scuba excursion, they need to be paying attention to the instructor every minute. I guess I look at it like this - I had 20 hours of classroom & 20 hours of water instruction to get certified. With that, I still feel better diving with a divemaster in the water. I don't wander off alone, nor do my buddy & I go off away from the group where we are not able to see them & easily get to where they are. Open water is a beautiful, fascinating & relaxing place to be, but you just need to be aware of the inherent danger as well.

[skylock]

AGAIN. My suggestion is the perfect solution. If the parents sit on the beach at the park, they will see when the boys come up.

 

I have more hours than you because I have several advanced certifications and I dive the local lake all the time. But when I travel to cozumel (which I do at least 3 times a year) I always dive with a dive master. They live there, I do not.

 

I wish the OP would let us know what she has decided.

[skylock]

i guess that would make me be in the naysayer group......I find it funny that it was pointed out that these are professionals, they do this every day. If you only knew how some diving schools churn out dive professionals at high speed.....from open water to instructor in less than 2 months.......very scary. When I did this every day....I saw competent instructors, but a lot more of the less competent. When we searched for instruction for our 13 yr old, we toured every school in the area, and asked lots of questions from the instructors. Price did not play a part in our decision....we figure you get what you pay for. There is a high turnover rate in dive professionals.....usually they last 3 yrs. The owners of the shops and boats hang around...but your core staff...instructors and dive masters have a high burn out rate. It is a physical job, with low pay...my husband and I filled the gap between college and the real careers we would embark on. Everyone we knew in the business has moved on. The majority of dives....even with the incompetents turned out OK....But there were accidents......people being bent from coming up to fast.....heart attacks, to someone having problems at the surface and drowning with 1200 psi in the tank....he took off his mask and spit his regulator out, forgot to fill his BC with air at the surface, never dumped his weights. The next day his mask was found on our charter. Each of us as crew wanted to tell the guy that thought it was his lucky day to find a brand new mask on the bottom what it was, but we passed the buck.....he was never told....just eerie to us. The guy by the way was an open water student, finishing up his second 60 ft dive....his problem was not at the bottom, but at the surface...poor guy. When you say we had fun, we will be safe with our dive master, I'm glad you feel that way and hope you will get certified for other great times diving...for my son......i wanted him to be able to get out of any situation possible. Good luck either way....be safe.

 

And exactly how does this doom and gloom have anything at all to do with a resort dive?

 

I have seen two accidents. One guy got his head busted open when a wave shoved him into the edge of the boat and a woman that broke her arm trying to get back on the boat in rough water. In my opinion, being near the boat is the most dangerous part of diving.

 

When you are certified or almost certified they presume it is ok to let you on your own mostly usually just checking in with you once or twice a dive, compared to a resort dive where they know you know next to nothing. So let me see, they spend 20-30 min underwater with a person who probably knows nothing and give them constant attention, they come up and everyone goes home happy OR they take a person who knows nothing down 20-30 min underwater and only check on them once or twice with a chance of something going wrtong and they spend the rest of the week going thru hassle.

[hoop4321]

your doom and gloom has been reality for some people. The nonchalance of diving is what leads to accidents. You can give the false impression that everything is hunky dory because they have a divemaster with them. Speaking as a divemaster with over 2000 dives....divemasters are a dime a dozen, and many companies employ regular divers and call them divemasters or dive guides. Call it what you will...accidents happen. 30 feet is another atmosphere....plenty of room to do serious damage. When you are in a foreign country, with medical care in most places not up to par with the US....with all MY experience....i consider it foolish.

 

I don't know what they did when you were certified...but on certification dives, there are skills to do....the good instructors watch their ducklings all through their dives before handing over the temp card. Having worked as crew, I can tell you that any diver that seems uncomfy/new/gear not put together right....we groan inside and watch them closely under water.

 

I do hope that whatever they do, they have a blast doing it safely.

[rednose83]

We did Discovery Scuba in Costa Maya in Jan. The dive master was very professional. We were 1 on 1. There weren't any kids on my dive but you do have to sign a liability/health waiver. I don't think those under 18 could do it alone.

[Dive Master]

Not to knock well trained and experienced Dive Masters, but any reputable Discover Scuba or Resort course will be taught and lead by an Instructor.The Instructor should have no more than 4 students and the max depth will not exceed 40 feet (20-25 feet is the usual and deep enough for these dives).Could and accident still happen--You betcha ! Make sure you really want to do this and approach it with the serriousness that the sport deserves.I did 2 Resort courses before I was certified and really enjoyed them---got me hooked.Now the group I dive with is "CERTIFIABLE"! Mostly "deep techies" that look like some kind of darn astronaut---but these guys and gals are world class divers doing 200-300 foot dives every weekend.