Scuba diving in children: Physiology, risks and recommendations

Published by R. Cilveti, B. Osona, J.A. Peña, L. Moreno, O. Asensio, en representación del Grupo de Técnicas de la Sociedad Española de Neumología Pediátrica (the Spanish Society of Pediatric Pulmonology)

Abstract

The increase in recreational scuba diving in recent years, including children, involves risks and the possibility of accidents. While legislation, conditions and risks of scuba diving are well documented in adults, scientific evidence in scuba diving by children and adolescents is sparse and isolated. Furthermore, existing guidelines and recommendations for adults cannot be transferred directly to children.

Methods

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2341287915001763 

These circumstances have led to the Group on Techniques of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Pulmonology (SENP) to perform a literature search to review and update the knowledge about scuba diving in children.

Results

Physiological adaptations of the body are examined during the dive, as well as the anatomical and physiological characteristics of children that should be taken into account in scuba diving. The most common types of accidents and its causes, as well as the risks of scuba diving practice in children with previous diseases are discussed, along with details of the medical and psychological requirements for scuba diving to be considered in the assessment of child and adolescent.

Conclusions

A list of recommendations for scuba diving with compressed air in children is presented by a group of experts.

The training of children who want to dive follows a specific programme. The minimum age for diving has been set at 8 years. Between the ages of 8 and 14, the rules vary according to jurisdiction, and, from the age of 14, an adult programme is adopted. It is mandatory to have a medical certificate of fitness issued by a doctor trained in pediatric underwater medicine.

Typical diving courses for children are

Discovery activity (diving baptism): Minimal age is 8 years old. No medical certificate or national license is required. The maximum depth is 3 m and no documentary proof is required.

Beginners: Minimal age is also 8 years old. A medical certificate or national license are not required, only proof of having performed a few compressed-air diving practices.

Junior diver: At a national level, this requires children to be at least 12 years of age, although some regional variations are maintained. A medical certificate and national licence are required. This authorises immersion of up to 20 m without decompression. The child must always be accompanied by a mentor diver.