Any need to change certification before trip?

[Rockhound76]

My oldest just turned 15. He has about 15 ocean dives logged to a max depth of 70' on his Jr. Certification (plan was to 60', but we hit a "hole". My fault.)

We are headed to Bonaire in March for Spring Break and we won (yippee) a trip to Grand Cayman for the summer.

Now that he's 15, is there any need to upgrade his NAUI Jr. OW to BASIC (or NITROX) before the trips? We don't plan any really deep dives, and I'm very safety conscious (he's my kid!), but I want to make sure he can go on the dives we select as appropriate, without worrying if he can't because of the "Jr." on his card.

My C-card is 31 yrs. old (NASDS) and in pieces, so I was thinking about taking a NITROX class, if only to get a new card. He could take that class with me, but I also wondered if he could just "order" a BASIC card, since he took the same class as the adults.

He's a very good diver and very cautious.

[KGNickl]

Originally Posted by Rockhound76

My oldest just turned 15. He has about 15 ocean dives logged to a max depth of 70' on his Jr. Certification (plan was to 60', but we hit a "hole". My fault.)

We are headed to Bonaire in March for Spring Break and we won (yippee) a trip to Grand Cayman for the summer.

Now that he's 15, is there any need to upgrade his NAUI Jr. OW to BASIC (or NITROX) before the trips? We don't plan any really deep dives, and I'm very safety conscious (he's my kid!), but I want to make sure he can go on the dives we select as appropriate, without worrying if he can't because of the "Jr." on his card.

My C-card is 31 yrs. old (NASDS) and in pieces, so I was thinking about taking a NITROX class, if only to get a new card. He could take that class with me, but I also wondered if he could just "order" a BASIC card, since he took the same class as the adults.

He's a very good diver and very cautious.

If NAUI is like PADI you should be able to order a replacement card for yourself (PADI charges $$$, not sure about NAUI). NAUI even has a replace lost card button on the website. Your son should be fine w/ the Jr. Certification, he will only be restricted to what the certification says he can do. And that is only a guide since there not really any dive laws saying how deep or what you can do. Its basically what the person or group you go out with are comfortable doing. Or if you two go out alone its what your comfortable wit. Neither of you will able to use Nitrox, which is no big deal unless you want to get more bottom time. But getting Nitrox certified is normally only $100-$150 per person and takes a couple days (most places $50-75 less for the 2nd person since you are family and only need 1 copy of the books and materials).

[No Misses]

With his Jr OW and the fact that he is 15, he just makes the minimum requirements for Enriched Air Diver Cert (Nitrox).

I am a big fan of Nitrox. It allows me to do 5 or 6 dives per day for multiple days. There is no way that I could do that many dives on air. The surface intervals would be need to be longer or I would have to shorten my dives. yay EAN :-)

[CaptainRon]

Originally Posted by Rockhound76

My oldest just turned 15. He has about 15 ocean dives logged to a max depth of 70' on his Jr. Certification (plan was to 60', but we hit a "hole". My fault.)

We are headed to Bonaire in March for Spring Break and we won (yippee) a trip to Grand Cayman for the summer.

Now that he's 15, is there any need to upgrade his NAUI Jr. OW to BASIC (or NITROX) before the trips? We don't plan any really deep dives, and I'm very safety conscious (he's my kid!), but I want to make sure he can go on the dives we select as appropriate, without worrying if he can't because of the "Jr." on his card.

My C-card is 31 yrs. old (NASDS) and in pieces, so I was thinking about taking a NITROX class, if only to get a new card. He could take that class with me, but I also wondered if he could just "order" a BASIC card, since he took the same class as the adults.

He's a very good diver and very cautious.

As for your card, I was in the same situation. NASDS is no longer in existance but SSI took over for them. Although old records where destroyed in a fire, you can download a form from their website and by by following the instructions and sending a photocopy of your old card, they will replace it with an SSI card.

Since your son turned 15, it is my understanding that he is automatically considered a regular OW diver now. He can have his card replaced or just keep using the one he has. The "jr" only applies till he turned 15.

As for the limitations on him, I agree with others. Since there is no "law" against diving deeper, it is up to how comfortable you, him, and the divemaster feel. We just got back from Cozumel and my 13 yo daughter was excited because we actually reach 84 ft on one dive. Before the dive, the divemaster, who is also an instructor, said we would start off around 50-60 ft until he watched her and made a determination on the dive depth based on her skill level in the water. She did well so he took us deeper. In my opinion, this is a better way to judge experience than strictly age.

[FyVe]

If you have the time, Sure, take Nitrox. Why not further your training.
im not too sure how overseas handles the Jr. Card, but it is from an Agency that is accepted world wide. better safe than sorry either way.

[Rockhound76]

Thanks. We're taking a nitrox class this weekend. He's also signing up for AOW as a school P.E. credit, which should help his skills advance.

I'll be talking to the owner (NAUI) to see if I can get "credit" for AOW, since I still have all of my training logs and about half my dive logs (the last five years are very complete). After talking to the instructor, I'll make a decision on how to proceed. Since I'm now diving with my kid, I want to make sure we are trained/equipped the same way.

In the past, i just made solo dives or went diving with buddies I've know for years and years. I have new responsibilities, I need new skills.

[Scubling]

Well if your planing to dive for a long time or a deep depths you should try to get nitrox certified. But if your planing to just a 50-60 ft dive for like 40 mins. you should be fine!!

[Largo]

NAUI's toll free number is: 800-553-6284

I do not believe that NAUI charges anything to upgrade from Junior Diver to Scuba Diver.

[Rockhound76]

Just a note: My son and I took a Nitrox class before our trip to Bonaire. Thanks for all the great advice.

The trip went great and there were no C-card issues. We were only doing two dives a day and staying well within the limits, so we stayed on air.

He had his Jr. (air) card, but nothing was said once we told them he was 15. I don't think he thought to pull out his nitrox card. Most of the dives we made were in the 70-90' range and some were off the shops boats.

He's hooked, btw. The diving was fantastic.

[CaptainRon]

Have any pictures to post?