The SAA advises Clubs that they can, if they so desire, accept junior members and train them according to the SAA programme.

This policy on Junior Divers balances the need for the SAA to provide guidance for Clubs, whilst acknowledging the fact that each Club is independent.

The welfare of the young, and other vulnerable groups, is a central part of the SAA’s policy, and this guidance is designed to reflect that.

The SAA suggests that any person diving with junior members should be an appropriately qualified adult (namely having a Dive Leader qualification or above, and SAA Diver Rescue qualified) and CRB checked where the adult is not the child’s parent. All Club officers are reminded they are able to utilise the SAA’s CRB checking service for their Instructors and other appropriate members who supervise junior members. This service is currently free.

However, it is the sole responsibility of the Club to determine whether an individual is an appropriately qualified adult and/or whether to follow the SAA’s suggestions regarding CRB checks and/or having the SAA Diver Rescue qualification. It is recommended that the Club’s decision making process should be recorded in the appropriate risk assessment.

If junior members are accepted and trained:-
 The written permission of the parents should be obtained.
 The Club DO should exercise his or her discretion and judgement as to whether the junior member is suitable for diver training.
 The junior member must be capable of safely handling the diving equipment and passing the tests.
 The junior member should be supervised by an appropriately qualified adult. Up to age 16 years, that appropriately qualified adult should be specifically approved by the parent/guardian of the junior member.
 Junior divers are limited to safety stop diving only (first BT envelope on DeeP-Stop tables).
 Junior divers under the age of 14 should not dive in water colder than 12o Celsius.
(This requirement is currently being examined by the SAA in conjunction with CMAS as it is considered to be outdated in terms of modern thermal protection. North European situated Federations aligned with CMAS are restricted by this clause currently adopted in the CMAS Children’s Diving Standards 2008/1)
 On reaching the age of 18 years a member is no longer a “junior”.

Training can commence at 10 years old for SCUBA providing the following recommendations are adhered to.

1. Age 10 to 12 - Snorkel training followed by SCUBA training in the pool only. Can participate in try-dives. Depth restriction of 2 metres.

2. Age 12 – SCUBA training with a depth restriction incrementally of 18 metres. Can qualify to Junior Open Water Diver. Snorkel training not required. Can also train and qualify to SAA Diver First Aid.

3. Age 13 - Can commence Junior Club Diver training with a depth restriction of 20 metres

4. Age 14 – SCUBA training with a depth restriction of 25 metres. Can qualify to Junior Club Diver and commence training for Junior Dive Leader. Can train and qualify to Junior Diver Rescue. Can train and qualify to Junior Basic Boat-handler (cox boat under adult supervision to age 16) Please ensure that your boat is insured for young cox’ns.

5. Age 15 – SCUBA training with a depth restriction of 30 metres. Can qualify to Junior Dive Leader.

6. Age 16 - SCUBA training with a depth restriction of 30 metres. Can commence Dive Supervisor training. Can train and qualify to Assistant Instructor. Can train and qualify to SAA Basic Nitrox Diver.

7. Age 17 - SCUBA training with a depth restriction of 30 metres. Adult qualification criteria can be completed in readiness for cross over to Adult Qualifications at age 18 (e.g. Diver Rescue deep lift of manikin; Dive Leader 35mtr experience dive etc.) All of these dives must be completed under the supervision of a suitably qualified instructor.

8. Age 18 – Can cross over junior qualifications after completing the full diving criteria. No further restrictions other than for adults.


These recommendations may be reviewed from time to time along with the UK Sports Divers Medical Committee.

Junior divers can apply for a CMAS card at the age of 14 years once they have reached the appropriate diving grade.

Clubs who have junior members must comply with the SAA’s Child Protection Policy in section 7 of the Club Guidance Manual and carry out a risk assessment in relation to Junior Divers.

CRB checks are arranged through SAA Head Office.

Clubs should ensure that the parents / guardians of any junior diver are fully aware of the SAA’s Junior Divers Policy set out above and indicate their consent by adding their signature and the date.