East Greenwich, Rhode Island —(Map)
It took two years of training and effort, but in February, Mia DaPonte finally reached her goal of becoming a Master Scuba Diver. The 12-year-old is now the youngest female in the US to ever earn that title, which represents a level of training that most divers – even adults – never reach.
Diving underwater is exciting, but there are many ways in which it can be dangerous. So organizations like PADI* offer training courses to make sure divers can enjoy themselves safely underwater. Most divers only get the basic level of training: Open Water Diver.
Mia DaPonte on a dive. Air bubbles are rising above her and an algae covered rock can be seen below her. There are fish in the background.
It took two years of training and effort, but in February, Mia DaPonte became a Master Scuba Diver. The 12-year-old is the youngest female in the US to ever earn that title, which represents a level of training that most divers – even adults – never reach. Above, Mia on a dive in Mexico.
(Source: Jill DaPonte.)
When Mia DaPonte was young, she learned that her mother had become an Open Water Diver when she was still in high school. Mia decided she wanted to become a diver, too. But the youngest you can start training as a diver is 10 years old.
Starting on her 10th birthday, Mia got serious. First, she got her Open Water Diver certificate. Mia lives in Rhode Island, where the oceans are cold, and you usually can’t see very far. But she didn’t let that stop her.
Mia DaPonte taking a picture on a dive with poor visibility in New England waters.
Starting on her 10th birthday, Mia got serious. First, she got her Open Water Diver certificate. Mia lives in Rhode Island, where the oceans are cold, and you usually can’t see very far. But she didn’t let that stop her. Above, Mia taking a picture of a fish on a dive in cool New England waters.
(Source: Jill DaPonte.)
Mia formed a tight bond with her diving teachers, who were impressed with her energy and drive. “She sets her mind to something and she gets it done,” said Seamus Hastings, one of her instructors.
Over the next two years, Mia kept working at it. PADI courses involve diving practice, but they often include more normal class work, too, including studying and tests. Mia took several other courses, where she learned different skills, including first aid, how to find her way underwater, and how to identify fish.
Mia DaPonte doing an online test for a diving course. She can be seen looking at a laptop screen, with the ocean and palm fronds in the background.
Over the next two years, Mia kept working at it. PADI courses involve diving practice, but they often include more normal class work, too, including studying and tests. Above, Mia taking an online test for a diving course.
(Source: Jill DaPonte.)
When you’re diving, you should always have a buddy – a second person working with you as you dive. Mia’s mother decided to take all the courses Mia was taking. So when Mia goes diving, her mom is her buddy. Mia has now logged 78 dives – far more than the 50 needed to become a Master Scuba Diver.
But Mia had to wait for her last two courses – Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver. That’s because you have to be at least 12 years old to earn these certificates.
Mia DaPonte seen in mask and full scuba gear, seated on the edge of the boat, ready to drop into the water for a dive.
Mia had to wait until she was 12 to finish her last two courses – Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver. She completed them in February. Above, Mia ready to roll back into the water for a dive.
(Source: Jill DaPonte.)
In February, Mia and her family traveled to Mexico, where she made her first night dive. Over the next week, Mia did most of the training required for the last two courses. On her birthday, she passed the Advanced Open Water course. The next day, when she was officially 12, Mia finished the Rescue Diver course.
That was challenging. Mia did three dives in one day, including one deep dive down to 58 feet (17.5 meters) below the surface. The hardest part of the course was showing that she could raise an injured adult diver to the surface and take the steps needed to help them breathe again.
Mia DaPonte on a dive. A sea turtle is just below her.
Mia says she feels proud to have set a record, and become a Master Scuba Diver. But she doesn’t plan to stop there. She’s interested in getting more training as a diver. In the future, she hopes to become a marine biologist. Above, Mia comes across a sea turtle on one of her dives.
(Source: Jill DaPonte.)
Mia says she feels proud to have become a Master Scuba Diver. But she doesn’t plan to stop there. She’s interested in getting more training as a diver. In the future, she hopes to become a marine biologist. She’s particularly interested in tagging and tracking sharks!
Did You Know…?
The first person in the US to become a Master Scuba Diver at the age of 12 was Matteo Miller of Florida. He set his record last August.
* PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors
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