The Precarious Pursuit of Pediatric Diving Records
The Precarious Pursuit of Pediatric Diving Records: A Call for Scrutiny and Adherence to Agency Standards
In the past 18 months, a series of widely circulated articles have celebrated the seemingly prodigious achievements of young scuba divers, some under the age of 12, who have accumulated impressive dive counts or attained advanced certifications at remarkably early ages. While superficially laudable, these narratives, exemplified by Kanon Coppola’s 100 dives by age 11, Mia DaPonte’s Master Scuba Diver rating by 12, and particularly Ethan Evans’ 141 dives before his twelfth birthday, raise significant questions regarding the intersection of safety protocols, developmental physiology, and the ethics of competitive ambition in youth sports. This piece argues that such public accolades, especially when they highlight practices outside established agency guidelines, risk cultivating an unsafe diving culture, setting unrealistic expectations, and potentially jeopardizing the long-term well-being of nascent divers.
The Peril of "Numbers Games": Prioritizing Quantity Over Competence
The celebration of high dive counts in young individuals, while ostensibly demonstrating dedication, paradoxically shifts the focus from the qualitative development of critical diving skills to a quantitative metric. For children aged 10-12, the formative years of their diving education should be unequivocally centered on mastering buoyancy control, emergency procedures, environmental awareness, and effective self-rescue techniques under varied conditions.
The very premise of diving certification for this age group emphasizes a gradual, supervised introduction to the underwater environment. SDI’s Junior Open Water Diver program, for instance, allows 10- and 11-year-olds to dive to a maximum of 60 feet (18 meters). The subsequent progression through experience or further training (such as Junior Advanced Diver AND Deep Diver for 10-14 year olds) increases depth limits as maturity and skill development permit. Publicizing “record-setting” numbers, without commensurate emphasis on the meticulous development of technique and safety consciousness, may inadvertently create a false equivalency between volume and proficiency. This can pressure other young divers and their parents to emulate these “achievements,” potentially fostering a dangerous environment where the pursuit of a numerical goal overshadows the foundational principles of safe diving practice.
The Uncharted Depths: Physiological Vulnerabilities and Disregard for Established Limits
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of these reports is the explicit mention of young divers, such as Ethan Evans, frequently descending to depths of 100 feet. This practice directly contravenes the maximum depth limit of 70 feet (21 meters) set by virtually all reputable diving agencies for divers under the age of 15, and even more stringently for those under 12. This limit is not arbitrary; it is predicated on a precautionary principle informed by a confluence of physiological and psychological considerations unique to developing individuals.
Foremost among these concerns is the potential impact of inert gas narcosis, which intensifies with depth. While susceptibility is individual, a 10- or 11-year-old’s cognitive and emotional maturity may be insufficient to recognize and respond appropriately to the disorienting effects of narcosis, which can impair judgment and fine motor skills. Furthermore, the long-term effects of bubble formation (and thus decompression stress) on still-developing physiological systems, particularly the epiphyseal plates (growth plates), remain an area where conclusive longitudinal research is critically absent. While some studies have explored growth plate integrity in the context of hyperbaric environments, a definitive consensus on the risk of repetitive deep dives for prepubescent children is lacking, necessitating a conservative approach. As detailed by Buhlmann et al. (2007) in their review of decompression physiology, the “insufficient evidence” of harm often translates to a heightened need for caution in populations where unique physiological vulnerabilities may exist.
To permit, let alone encourage, a diver under the age of 12 to regularly exceed agency-mandated depth limits to 100 feet appears to represent a profound disregard for these established safety parameters. When the parent facilitating such dives is a certified SCUBA diving instructor, as is reported in the case of Ethan Evans, it raises serious ethical and professional questions. An instructor’s primary responsibility is to uphold and exemplify the highest standards of safety and agency protocol. To knowingly operate outside these guidelines, particularly with a minor, borders on professional negligence and, given the potential for physiological harm, could even be construed as a form of child endangerment within the context of the sport.
The Uncharted Depths: Physiological Vulnerabilities and Disregard for Established Limits
The integrity of diving certifications and the broader safety culture within the recreational diving community are inextricably linked to the consistent application and enforcement of training agency standards. When any agency-certified instructor demonstrably operate outside these standards, especially in high-profile cases involving minors, it casts a shadow over the entire organization.
It is imperative that all certifying agencies, actively investigate and address instances where their instructors engage in practices that contravene established safety guidelines for junior divers. Such actions are not merely technical breaches; they undermine the trust placed in these agencies to safeguard the well-being of their members, particularly the most vulnerable. While agencies cannot police every dive, highly publicized deviations from standards by their certified professionals demand a response. This could involve an internal review of the instructor’s adherence to agency standards, re-education, or more severe disciplinary action, depending on the findings. Upholding these standards is not merely about bureaucratic adherence; it is about reinforcing a culture where safety is non-negotiable, and where the welfare of young divers is prioritized above all else.
Conclusion: Reorienting the Compass of Youth Diving
The narratives surrounding these “record-setting” young divers compel a re-evaluation of how achievements are framed within the youth diving community. While fostering a love for the ocean and developing diving skills in children is commendable, this must never come at the expense of safety, established physiological limits, or the integrity of professional standards. The emphasis must shift from the sensationalism of “numbers” or “firsts” to the steady, qualitative development of competent, safe, and environmentally conscious divers. Training agencies bear a critical responsibility to enforce their guidelines and hold their instructors accountable. Only through such vigilance can we ensure that the next generation of divers explores the underwater world with the respect, caution, and safety that it rightfully demands.
References
- Buhlmann, A. A., & Bühlmann, A. A. (2007). Decompression: Decompression sickness. Springer Science & Business Media.*
- HAL. (2024, April 11). 11-Year-Old Scuba Diver Completes 100 Dives. DeeperBlue.com. https://www.deeperblue.com/11-year-old-scuba-diver-completes-100-dives/
- WPRI Staff. (2025, February). East Greenwich girl named New England’s youngest certified master scuba diver. WPRI.com. https://www.wpri.com/dont-miss/east-greenwich-girl-named-new-englands-youngest-certified-master-scuba-diver/
- Dutton, A., & Williams, K. (2024, August 9). This 11-year-old broke a world scuba diving record. Talker News. https://talker.news/2024/08/09/this-11-year-old-smashes-world-scuba-diving-record/#:~:text=1%20year%20ago%20on%20August,birthday%20in%20April%20next%20year.
*While the original work is much older, this reference is for the broader understanding of decompression physiology that underpins depth limits.
Dr Eric "Doc" Strand, PhD, OMD
Dr. Strand (USMC Veteran) spent 30 years as a physician dedicated to community wellness. Doc retired from clinical practice after discovering the profound stillness and weightless silence of the underwater world. As an SDI Instructor Trainer, Dr. Strand uses his medical and military background to inform his writing on safety, physiology, and technical diving. A published author of medical practice management guides and poetry, Doc pairs his technical expertise with a creative flair to make complex diving topics accessible, engaging, and insightful.
