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Children and Club Diving

811 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  Frankie Price
Until now, we have never really had a policy on minors diving with our club. Recently, we have had enquiries about what we can do to get children & young people (i.e. under 18's) diving in the UK.

We are a non-training club, with mostly PADI qualified divers, but several members hold qualifications from other agencies.

We wondered what policies were around in other clubs, or how other clubs deal with the issue, particularly if the minor has non-diving parents.

We know the rules in terms of Junior OW, depth limits and so-on, but it is more about protection of the child, how are other members encouraged to assist, should there be any CRB checks, what if we are considered to be almost creche facilities, should other club members be expected to restrain themselves in typical diver conversation etc.

What do other clubs do?
Have any of you got a policy that i could have a look at?

Cheers
:)
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Hi Morag,

I had this situation a few years ago with a PADI school I used to dive with. It had a club attached. There was one young man (who was a superb little diver) that I used to get buddied with regularly. This was in some degree because of my day job, but also because I talked to the lads parents and reassured them I would look after him.

This was fine for a while but I did start to feel upset when all my dives were being curtailed because the l;ad was frozen stiff after 20 mins. After a while it seemed this lad turned up every time I was diving and I was always buddied with him. It suddenly dawned on me that I was little more than an unpaid baby sitter.

In light of my experience I would say ensure the lad is welcomed (as I'm sure you will) but insist that a parent is always present, if not on the dive then at least on the baot or at the dive site. this way you don't get abused and it gives you extra security as they remain responsible forthe childs welfare except when they are under formal instruction.

Alan
For this reason we have a strict over 18's policy with one exception, 16-18 if a parent or guardian signs up and learns to dive too... Under 16's only if our training officer and/or diving officer feel they are mature enouigh and will get the support from their parent/guardian... Very subjective but stops the baby sitting that we experienced many times over the years...
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