Requirement #6 for the new Scuba Diving merit badge says "Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy." What are your opinions about whether or not the PADI Jr Open Water certification should qualify for a scout too young to earn the adult certification? It is AN open water certification.

NC,

Not a diver, but looking at the differences between open water and Jr. open water, there is no difference except age and who they dive with, so I would be OK with it. This website gives some info, and note that if you have the JOWC, you can AUTOMATICALLY (caps for emphasis) upgrade open water cert. once you turn 15.

 

http://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/diver-level-courses/kids-courses/default.aspx

 

Junior Open Water Diver (ages 10-14)

Young people can take the full PADI Open Water Diver scuba certification course and upon completion will become Junior Open Water Divers with certain age limitations for scuba diving:

 

Junior Open Water Divers ages 10-11 years old must dive with a PADI Professional or certified parent/guardian. Dives must not exceed 12 metres /40 feet.

Junior Open Water Divers ages 12-14 years old must dive with a certified adult. (13+ years old can take the Open Water Diver course online.

 

Junior is fine. If you go to "US Scouts" then to merit badges, then to SCUBA it explains all this