Diving experience for children

Elliott, 7, and his brother Serge, 5, would have wanted to take the plunge into a giant diving aquarium. It was a tempting sight to be seen by other kids spending time underwater in a see-through container.

But they're not old enough to use a scuba gear. Their uncle, Jacques Abi Saad, who accompanied them, asked the boys to wait until they are eight years old before they can try this challenge.

"Their lungs are not fully developed yet, so it's best for them not to go underwater yet," explained Andy Beadsmoore, a diving instructor from Al Boom Diving Club.

That was in front of Town Centre where trained divers gave children lessons in scuba diving in a 2m x 4m glass pool, as part of the concluded Water Surprises week, sponsored by Dewa.

Eight-year-old Mohammed Khalid, from Dubai, was intrigued. He decided to take a plunge. Having put on a diving suit that fitted his size, he took a dip. The first five minutes were okay.

His parents and other children watched him outside the elevated glass pool while two instructors trailed him closely inside.

But since it was the first time he uses full scuba gear, he did not practice breathing properly. He took in some water.

"It was a good experience. I will try again next time," said Mohammed, after getting his certificate from Al Boom and Dewa.

Children each day tried quick lessons on scuba diving for one week under the supervision of PADI-certified expert divers.

There are different lessons where children over eight years old can participate ; bubble maker, discovery scuba dive, junior open water diver. Higher (or deeper) diving courses are only for grown ups, Beadsmoore explained.

Children from six to eight are advised to try supplied-air snorkelling. So far, more than 80 children have taken a dip in the glass pool at Town Centre.

"I think that's a good number of kids whom we made happy with this experience. We cannot accommodate all of them, especially during weekends because of limited time and space," said Beadsmoore. Ahmad Mohammed, a 26-year-old administration staff at Dewa, said all precautions for ensuring the safety of children and adults were at the construction of water-related activities.