TRAINING Training Your Staff to Safely and Effectively Teach Kids to Dive – by Margo Peyton, co-owner Kid’s Sea Camp, Columbia, SC Kids Sea Camps have certified over 8,000 youth as divers and offers travel programs for families and empty nesters.
As dive shop owners and managers, if you're looking to expand your of- ferings with scuba diving programs for kids, you're tapping into a vibrant market that can build lifelong cus- tomers and strengthen family bonds in your community.
their parents rather than for their own enjoyment. As a mother of two, it was crucial for me not to add any pressure, and I've spent the last 25 years with children in the ocean – it's been humbling, inspiring, and a dream job. For dive shop owners training staff to handle youth pro- grams, start with the basics: Kids are not the same as adults. Train your instructors to use a 1:2 or 1:1 ratio – one instructor to two kids or one to one – based on the
Drawing from my 36 years in the dive industry, traveling and diving, and 25 years specializing in youth diving
child's age, the instructor's ex- perience, and the student's mental and physical health. For special needs kids, it's always 1:1. These ratios aren't arbitrary;
through Kids Sea Camp, where I've contributed to over 8,100 youth certifications, I'll share practical tips on how to train your staff for this rewarding en- deavor.
they allow for the close supervision needed to catch subtle cues and ensure every child feels supported. Emphasize in your training that agency guidelines like PADI's are mini- mums – encourage your staff to be more conservative when conditions or instincts dictate. Safety must be the cornerstone of your youth pro- grams – no compromises, ever. Train your staff to verify that kids have perfectly fitting gear, are comfortable and ready, and that the instructors are fully prepared too. This includes reviewing every indication of a student's physical and mental readiness, such as checking medical conditions
This isn't just about adding a new revenue stream – it's about creating safe, engaging experiences that nurture the next generation of divers while prioritizing unwavering safety. I love teaching kids, and this passion is super important if you want your instructors to work effectively with youth. My experience has taught me that if you aim to create an instructor training team for teaching kids, they need to have that desire as well as hands-on experience with chil- dren.
Children are the heartbeat of our diving industry, full of wonder and excitement; it is our privilege to introduce them to diving with confi- dent, experienced, and well- trained instructors in a safe setting with strict ratios. They are naturally little ex- plorers who want to learn and become diving members of their family.
and ensuring you're facing a bright-eyed, excited child eager to learn. Sessions should occur in controlled environments: a clean, spacious pool for con- fined water skills and calm oceans with over 40 feet of visibility for open water. Teach your instructors that these are little people requir-
ing hand-holding, nurturing, and 100% attention. Hand-holding can be literal during initial descents or buoyancy practice, providing physical reassurance, but it's also about emotional guidance – listening to fears, offering encouragement, and building trust. Nurturing involves cre- ating a judgment-free space where kids can voice concerns,
Many kids listen to their parents' adventures and look forward to the day they are old enough to join those ad- ventures. Some kids arrive nervous or even a little scared, not wanting to let their family members down, and they can sometimes put pressure on themselves to perform for
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