Growth plates Children divers should use dive profiles which minimize risk for decompression sickness to eliminate concern for injury to growing tissues, such as the growth plates of bones. It is known that the rate of closure of a patent foramen ovale is highly variable and a certain percentage of children will not have closed their defect by age 10. In addition, the child should be physically, mentally and emotionally mature enough to rescue a 'buddy' in distress. This final caveat may be the 'kicker' that would prevent a 10 year old from becoming certified. For those who are too small to use diving equipment comfortably, or who are too young intellectually there are alternatives to diving which will prepare them for diving later, ie., swimming in waves and currents, underwater swimming, swimming with fins or kickboard and snorkeling offers a great transition to diving for youngsters.
Age changes in motor skills during childhood and adolescence.
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