Minimum Age:
The minimum age for participation in the Junior Open Water Diver program is 10 years old. It is recommended that individuals under 15 years of age take the program with an adult family member.
Ratio:
If one or more Junior Divers (12-14) are taking part in the program, the ratio is 4:1. If one or more 10-11 year old are taking part in the program, the ratio is 2:1. Although additional assistants may be used, no additional students may be added to the responsibility of the individual certified Instructor. The Instructor is to decrease this ratio whenever conditions require.
Restrictions:
Junior Divers have the following limitations:
- Junior Open Water Divers ages 10-11 are allowed to dive up to depths of 12 meters/40 feet with a certified adult or Dive Professional.
- Junior Open Water Divers ages 12-14 are allowed to dive up to depths of 18 meters/60 feet with a certified adult or Dive Professional.
- Junior Divers (ages 10-14) do not exceed more than 2 training dives per day. If 3 training dives for junior divers (12-14) are conducted in one day, dives deeper than 12 meters must not exceed 20 minutes maximum dive time with a 2 hour surface interval between each dive.
Upgrade:
At the age of 15 Junior Open Water Divers are eligible to upgrade their rating to Open Water Diver if it is done within 12 months of completing a Junior Open Water Diver program, a skills evaluation is not required to upgrade. If the last program was done more than 12 months ago, then a scuba skills update is required.