Children and Young People

1.   General

1.1.  The purpose of this policy is to set out how the club and its members support divers of all ages.

1.2.  The policy is designed to protect children and young people as well as to give a level of protection to other members and takes into account their expectations of a club environment.

1.3.  The policy refers to a ‘Nominated Adult’. This is a club member who is either a parent or guardian or a club member over the age of 18 who has been nominated by, and agrees to act in place of, a parent or guardian.

1.4.  It is the sole responsibility of the Parent or Guardian to ascertain the suitability of the Nominated Adult in all aspects including their diving ability and experience. The Diving Club however reserves the right to overrule any buddy pairings in the interests of diving safety.

1.5.  This policy is drawn up in the interests of safety and should be read in conjunction with the document ‘Guidelines for Club Dives’.

 2.    Membership

This section should be read in conjunction with the membership section of the Diving club Constitution

2.1.  People under the age of 16 can only be members of ‘the Diving Club’ if a parent or guardian is also a member.

2.2. Members aged under the age of 18 must be nominated for membership by a Parent or Guardian.

 3.    Diving

3.1.  Members under the age of 16 must be accompanied on all dives by a diving Nominated Adult.  The accompanying Nominated Adult must be participating in the dive and will be expected to organise buddy arrangements in conjunction with the Dive Organiser and Dive Marshal.

3.2.  Under normal circumstances, Junior Open Water Divers and Junior Advanced Open Water Divers will dive in a 1:1 with a Nominated Adult

3.3.  If a diving trip includes overnight stays, members under the age of 18 are the sole responsibility of the accompanying Nominated Adult.

3.4.  Members under the age of 18 must be accompanied on all trips by a Nominated Adult

 4.    Social Functions

4.1.  Members under the age of 16 must be accompanied on all Diving Club functions by a Nominated Adult

4.2.  It is not expected that children under the age of 16 will be at Club Nights after 9.30pm

4.3. Members will be advised if a social function is suitable for those under the age of 18

 The Diving Club, Reading, July 2007