TRAINING continued
decision. Standing firm can be difficult, but the alternative is unacceptable. Core Best Practices: Unwavering Supervision and Com- munication The foundation of safe youth diving is direct, undivided su-
vague “OK” signal. Children may hesitate to speak up because they do not want to be the person who ends the dive. Exact pressure checks help identify developing gas concerns early. At Kids Sea Camp, I do not permit minor divers to participate in an unsupervised buddy team without an assigned,
pervision paired with habits that make every dive a positive experience. From the moment students enter the water until they are safely out, the instructor’s attention must remain on them. This means eliminating distractions. I advise leaving cameras, lionfish containers, and lionfish spears behind when diving with children. When a skill demonstration ends,
qualified adult or dive professional. Certifi- cation does not eliminate the need to consider age, maturity, experience, agency standards, operator policies, and local requirements. I have encountered situations in which certified minors were paired together during under- water activities without an adult or dive professional assigned to them. The argument
do not assume your responsibility has ended. Continue mon- itoring every diver until everyone is safely out of the water. Clear handovers are also essential. Never assume another divemaster or instructor will automatically supervise your students if you must surface or leave the group. Responsibility must be explicitly transferred and acknowledged. Headcounts before, during, and after every dive are nonnegotiable. So are thorough equipment checks covering weights, cylinder pressure, BCDs, releases, and fit. I require children to communicate their exact remaining cylinder pressure rather than give a
was that they were certified and could therefore buddy together. That is not a risk I accept within my programs. Dive shops, parents, and instructors should establish, communicate, and follow a clearly documented supervision policy for all minor divers. Engage Parents and Review Medical Information Instructors, divemasters, and dive shops should establish procedures for engaging parents early. Ask about the child’s fears, medical history, maturity, behavior, prior water experience, and any special considerations. Instructors should personally
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