The Junior Open Water Diver certificate for 12,13 and 14yr olds is similar to the Open Water certification but delivered differently to accomodate the needs of youth divers. Here are some key differences/ similarities:

• Course Supervision: SSI impose strict supervision ratios for instructors teaching children. This is to ensure the safety of the child and an appropriate learning experience. We are bound by strict SSI standards that require us to reduce our instructor: student ratio from 1:8 down to 1:4 
• Course Content: The Junior Open Water Course content is the exact same as the Open Water course. Unfortunately nothing about the course content is modified for Juniors, as this is set by SSI. Junior divers must perform the same tasks, assessments and skills to the same standard as an older Open Water diver. This is important for parents to note; enrolling their child in a JNR OW course means that the child needs to pass the same components that test adults in order to earn the certification - the academic study, the exam questions and the water skills testing are the same as for adults. 
• Course Delivery: Whilst we are unable to modify the content of the course, our experienced instructors modify the delivery of a specialised Junior Open Water course, so that it is delivered in a fun way that’s engaging and understandable for younger learners. In our specialised kids classes, instructors use more hands-on, kid-friendly methods to make sure the information sticks. Instructors also modify the timings of the Junior courses, accommodating the extra time needed for young learners to comprehend concepts and complete physical tasks. We also provide more frequent breaks in Junior Open Water classes reducing the intensity/ pace of learning.
• Upgrade to Open Water: Once the Junior diver turns 15, their certification automatically upgrades to the regular Open Water certification. They do not need to re-take the course again to gain the adult version of the qualification. Therefore it is essential that they learn, comprehend and truly understand all the diving concepts, terminologies and principals and pass all physical components. It's a lifelong qualification, they are achieving at a young age.