Diving For Kids, Contact With Nature
Diving for kids is gaining momentum. No wonder, it’s an excellent activity that develops many skills. Children who have the opportunity to practice diving love it.
The underwater world is enchanting for anyone. The beach and the sea are a national passion. Therefore, discovering what is hidden underwater is an adventure for everyone.
Another advantage of diving for children is that it expands knowledge. Children learn to recognize and value marine riches. This increases the sense of responsibility towards the environment.
the best age to start
This is a subject that generates some controversy as opinions vary a lot. While diving for children is a safe activity, the risks cannot be ignored. Not only children, certainly adults must also take precautions. That’s why this activity is not recommended for younger children.
The child must have the ability to analyze the risks. This requires a certain level of awareness and maturity. It is also important that she has developed the capacity for self-control as she cannot panic underwater. This can be dangerous and can put you at risk.
The best age to start diving for children is between 8 and 12 years old. In fact, there is no set age, as it also depends on each person’s temperament. Some children mature earlier, others take a little longer.
Benefits of diving for kids
This activity brings a number of benefits. Diving for kids has effects on physical, mental, intellectual and social development. Some of the main benefits are as follows:
- The practice of diving tones the muscles and helps to develop psychomotor skills
- Improves lung capacity and cardiac and circulatory functions
- Promotes children’s maturity
- Increases self-esteem and sense of accomplishment
- Promotes responsibility and self-esteem
- Stimulates imagination and creativity
- It reinforces values related to teamwork, solidarity and companionship
One of the most important aspects is that diving for kids is an excellent way to manage stress. Although children do not have the same responsibilities as adults, they are also stressed. An activity like this helps to channel that anxiety.
Some aspects to consider
Diving involves some risks. While all of them are manageable, they shouldn’t be underestimated. It is important not to lose sight of some aspects. Some of them are:
- Diving instructors must be specialized people. Not only in the activity itself, but also in working with children.
- Children under 8 years of age do not have enough developed lungs. Therefore, it is not recommended to start this activity before this age.
- Children under 12 years of age are more likely to have earache.
- The instructor must teach ear decompression techniques.
- The smaller the child, the greater the risk of hypothermia.
- Diving is a sport for adults and children.
- The child must have a minimum height of 1.50 m and a weight of 45 kg to start the activity.
- Before starting to dive, it is ideal that the child already knows how to swim very well.
- The first part of the instruction is done in the pool. It is only after a few classes that the practice is done at sea.
- It is not advisable for a diving session to last longer than 25 minutes.
- Children must always be accompanied by an experienced adult.
- You have to learn not to go up faster than your air bubbles so you don’t have any problems.
- After a diving session it is not allowed to climb to an altitude higher than 500 meters. This is valid for the next 12 hours. The body needs to get used to atmospheric pressure.
- Another important aspect is that the child must have autonomy. She should be able to climb the boat herself. She should also be responsible for taking and caring for her own equipment.
