The Sub Aqua Association have recently reviewed their Junior Diver Policy; and one of the changes that puts us ahead of other UK agencies is the limiting of the number of dives junior divers are permitted to do each day.

Under 16s are restricted to 1 dive per day and under 18s are limited to 2 dives per day.

In both cases all junior divers are required to take a day off after 3 consecutive diving days.

Steve Love, SAA's National Diving Officer says "A review of our policy on junior divers was timely and given the lack of significant research and data on the long term potential effects of repetitive diving on developing bodies, our considered opinion was that it is in the interests of young divers and their parents, to restrict repetitive diving. This change was reached after consultation internally, with senior Instructors and rank and file members, along with external consultation with hyperbaric specialists.

I recognise that this decision puts us out of step with other UK agencies, however I firmly believe it shows that we put the welfare of junior divers at the forefront of our policy decisions and also shows us to be leading the way in UK diving. Not only are we the "friendliest divers" we are also now, arguably, the safest where young divers are concerned."

Further information on this issue and details of local SAA Clubs, can be obtained from SAA Head Office on 0151 287 1001, admin@saa.org.uk or www.saa.org.uk