Hi,
I am trying to find out if it is realistic to think that I can take my 2 kids (age 20 and 13) to Key West (or any where else for that matter...)for a few days this summer and learn how to scuba dive. I understand that there is something called "resort dives" that sound like it might be just what we are looking for.
Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?
I would like the place that we stay to be fairly nice.
Thanks for any suggestions!

Easy dives (resort dives) for novices are much more commmonly found in the Caribbean.
Many resorts have all-inclusive programs which have free resort courses for all, and are much better (as far as seeing lots of interesting sealife) than those found in the US.
The resort course is not complex, and you do not get certified, but it allows you to determine whether or not it is something you would be willing to invest the time and money into doing on a more regular and/or structured basis.

Most Keys dive shops offer resort courses as well. You take a 2 hour lesson (including some pool time) and then go on an open water dive. You can go on additional dives with the same shop (always accompanied by the instructor) if you like it. Do an internet search to see more about prices/timing. If you can stay for 3-4 days, you can take a scuba certification course and will end up as a certified diver. I would suggest Key Largo or Looe Key Reef (off Big Pine Key) as a destination for the resort course.

For anyone considering a resort course, if you are taking any medication what-so-ever on a regular basis, you must have a note from your Dr stating that it will not have any adverse effects while diving. As I recall, the only thing they would let pass without a note is HRT. My mistake was in being honest and listing it on the form...although I knew full well it would be fine. I never dreamed the note would be a requirement! Missed my chance to dive in Cayman...as did the rest of my family who refused to go without me....

We have seen many of these couses advertised in the Keys. I have always considered trying one but never got around to it. They sound great for someone who doesn't have the time to go through a full course but wants to see if its something they wish to persue.

Try Strike Zone Charters out of Big Pine Key. Also, Looe Key Dive Resort. Both GREAT operations.

I am a certified PADI diver, and learned to dive over a 4 day long weekend. This included a written test. It was great fun, and I have been diving ever since.

However, this is a dangerous sport, and I don't think I would let a 13 year old do it. I am not sure you will get a reputable dive outfit to teach someone that young. If you find an instructor willing, I would insist that the instructor partner with the 13 year old during the training, rather than pairing him up with another novice diver which is usually how the training goes. No matter how mature a 13 year old is, there are life-safing decisions that have to be made when diving and I don't know that a 13-year old has the requiste decision-making skiils and ability not to panic.

IMO, snorkeling provides just as much if not more to see than scuba diving. The best wildlife and coral in warm waters is found between 10 and 40 feet, all doable by snorkeling. Some of the best is at between 5 and 20 feet, and best viewed from above. You really don't need to scuba dive to see great wildlife and coral.

You might also try SNUBA.

Hi,
Thanks for the advice.
I would also consider going to an island if the "resort dives" were more available.
I appreciate the advice about the 13 year old.
It is my 20 year old son that really wants to try this and I was going to wait and decide about my daughter and myself, dependent upon what it all entails.

Cicerone has some great points, but I want to add my concern about "resort courses" An good analogy might be learning to drive. Your average teenager or young adult could probably learn to maneuver a car in a few hours. But that does not make them a safe and qualified driver. Think of scuba diving the same way. If absolutely nothing goes wrong with equipment, environment, diver - then a few hours at a resort course will do it. But if it were my kid, I would want them to be fully certified as a diver for safety reasons. You still have plenty of time to sign up for a course before a trip - courses are part classroom, time in a pool, and then supervised open water dive. We live near coast, so if you live inland I don't know about course availability,

Good post gail! Another thing about resort courses is that after you spend the money, you still don't have your C Card.

I'm a PADI rescue diver (soon to be divemaster) and have a few things to say.

1. You should get a full physical exam geared towards being declared fit for scuba diving before you sign up for the course. Even for a resort course. Some countries require it, and it's otherwise a very good idea to be 100% sure you're in the right physical condition. If you have certain conditions, such as diabetes I, then you are not to dive at all.

2. Regarding children, a 13-year old may take a junior open water course but cannot get the open water (for 15 and up) certificate.

3. Be sure that the dive shop is certified by a reputable agency such as PADI, CMAS, or NAUI. They have stringent international standards they must hold to, and while you're never guaranteed anything in life, you ought to be on the safe side.

If you have any more questions, just ask!

As you can see - divers are extremely passionate about the sport and safety. Here's some thoughts: My husband and I are new divers - we were certified a couple years ago in Curacao. Since I have heard horror stories about the safety practices in many Caribbean places, an experienced diver friend of mine recommended that we split the course. Turns out, you can do half the certification in your hometown - which includes the book work, the tests - and the pool work which focuses on safety - right at the YMCA (or whatever) pool. The dive shop that we hooked up with (again, recommended by my friend) had the most INCREDIBLE instructor who was quite gentle with us - especially my husband who is not comfortable in the water. We learned GREAT safety habits - which definitely paid off in Curacao (won't share that story....) when the dive instructor was less than focused on safety. We learned to trust what we thought was right - and always focus on safety. For your 20 year old especially - you might want to go ahead and get him signed up for that. As for dive sites - I've been diving in the Keys and several islands - I would not pick the Keys. I would go to the Bahamas, Grand Cayman (wonderful !) - or pretty much any Caribbean island. The Keys are very shallow - and if the weather is at all bad - you can't get deep enough to get away (did I mention I've always gotten violently seasick....love those transderm patches...). As the PADI instructor said - safety first, and snorkeling is never a bad option..... Look into your local courses, though - through any of your local Dive shops (I'm a PADI certified diver, there are a couple organizations..). You might all enjoy that - and you'll know if you want to go further, and worst case, you'll have learned alot about the water..

Hi Debi,
My son has taken a college course, though he has yet to dive outside a pool.
Is the Grand Cayman a good place to start, or is he safer in the USA for his first dive?

Valentine's Dive shop on Harbour Island in the Bahamas might be a good choice as they offer snorkle and dive trips daily. They also offer a resort course and have a pool to learn dive safety.

I would suggest finding a place in your area that offers instruction and pool training before you go, so the kids will have some understanding and will know if they really want to try more advanced diving.

There is an amazing dive snorkle spot in the Bahamas that Valentine's goes to which is a civil war train, purchased by a weatlthy land owner on Cuba. It was on a barge and sunk off the Bahamas in a very bad storm. Makes for an amazing dive spot 100 years later.

YOu might try the www.biland.com site for more info on Harbour Island. Small and very safe for kids. Some nice places to stay, some great restaurants and a taste of culture.

Hope this helps.

cpeicott

If you want some good info on diving in general, visit the Padi website at

Padi.com

It gives you the background on the sport for young snorkelers or junior scuba diver certification on up to open water certification for adults.

And just so you know, A padi junior diver can only dive with a PADI Professional, or a certified parent guardian and only to 40 feet.

There are many safe, reputable dive shops, resorts, and instructors who will take the proper precautions while teaching your children to dive.

Your 20 year old should have no problem w/ a resort course to see if he likes it.

However, I agree that instead of a resort course for your 13 year old, I would let her take the full junior certification course and only dive with a professional(or parent/guardian who has been certified.)

I have seen many junior divers that are more comfortable underwater than a lot of adults.

For beginner divers, the Caymans are great as is Bonaire, Bimini, Grand Turk, and Belize. They all have little if any current and are a great place to learn the sport.

Considering the world is 3/4 water diving opens up a whole new world and is definitely worth it.

Hi,
The Padi.com link did not work. Is this the correct spelling?

cpeicott-
Try

www.padi.com

All lower case. I just opened it up in another window and that should work. Let me know if it doesn't.