CUMBERLAND — Members of Boy Scout Troop 42 had their first experience with SCUBA diving yesterday at the Riverside YMCA at the SCUBA Buddies program’s Discover SCUBA class.

The class was sponsored by East Coast Diver of Cumberland, LLC. It was an introduction to SCUBA gear and diving and involved a two-hour session with certified SCUBA instructor Scott Kiser. Eight members of Troop 42, aged 13 to 16, attended.

“The kids loved it,” said Mike Bacon with East Coast Diver. “They always have a good time.” Bacon said East Coast Diver has been giving Discover SCUBA classes for over 30 years.

“It was great,” said Scoutmaster Harry Morgan. “I’m a certified diver myself, and my scouts wanted to learn more about SCUBA. Bacon helped set up the class for us.” Morgan said that his diving experience included SCUBA demonstrations at the 2005 Boy Scout Jamboree and he hopes to be on the SCUBA staff at the 2010 Jamboree.

“The kids had a good time,” said Morgan. “It’s really not about me, it’s about the kids.”

Kiser, who has been diving since 1962, said he was pleased with the Scouts’ enthusiasm. “We thought we’d have to pull them back out of the water,” said Kiser. “They used up full tanks of air.”

Kiser added that young people tend to pick up the necessary skills for diving more quickly than adults. “Teaching an adult how to swim tends to be harder ,too,” said Kiser. “Kids tend to be more trusting.” He said that the age restriction for kids 13 and up was important, however, since there was some danger involved.

The Scouts will be able to use the class to earn a SCUBA Scouting award, but the merit badge involves a greater commitment. Scouts who hope to earn a SCUBA diving merit badge must obtain Open Water Certification, a process involving a six-week class which Kiser also teaches.

Kiser said that he believes he’ll see many of the Scouts at Sunday’s class pursuing their certification. “There’s no doubt in my mind that as soon as they talk their parents into letting them be in class, they’ll come to class,” said Kiser.

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