BASIC SCUBA DISCUSSIONS - Basic Certification - Midwest Scuba Diving Magazine

MSD FORUMS - BASIC SCUBA DISCUSSIONS

TOPIC: Basic Certification

markv

Posted: 6/5/2006 11:31:33 AM

Joined on
1/13/2006

If I recieve a basic certification card from PADI. Does that qualify me to dive unsupervised at dive resorts or do I need to dive with a divemaster or instructor?

Captain Dale

Posted: 6/5/2006 1:28:00 PM

Joined on
3/31/2006

Your certification card should not be looked upon as a "qualification" but as evidence of a certain level of training. A basic open water card certifies that you have received training sufficient for you to make unsupervised dives with another certified diver under ideal conditions in no greater than 60 feet of depth.

Dive operators may choose to accept your certification or not, acording to their own practices. Some operators require "advanced" certification for some or all of their trips. Other operators may require professional supervision. Still others may make decisions based on your diving experience, as evidenced by your dive log. For the most part, the "rules," if you can call them that, are adhered to on a voluntary basis.

I hope I came close to answering your question.

SDAnderson

Posted: 6/5/2006 5:05:49 PM

Joined on
5/30/2006

You didn't say which basic certification you earned, so that would be a good question to ask your instructor - he should have covered that during your course. The answer can also be found in your student manual, but it goes something like this:

If you earned a PADI Scuba Diver certification, you are supposed to dive under the direct supervision of a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor, within the limits of your training.
If you earned a PADI Open Water Diver certification, you are supposed to dive with a buddy within the limits of your training.

As a general suggestion, both Scuba Divers and Open Water Divers should stay above 60 feet and limit themselves to dives in calm conditions at sites considered to be hazard free. There's a lot to learn and you'll have more fun and be safer if you take your time and not push the envelope too hard.

markv

Posted: 6/6/2006 10:51:18 AM

Joined on
1/13/2006

Could you explain the difference in training requirements eg. academic and open water training for scuba diver and open water diver?

SDAnderson

Posted: 6/6/2006 11:22:31 AM

Joined on
5/30/2006

I misread your first post and thought you had just been certified - instead, it looks like you're considering getting certified. Go for it.

You'll want to get certified as an Open Water Diver. This will allow you to dive unsupervised, although you'll want a buddy along. This is pretty much where everyone starts out as a diver. The Scuba Diver rating is pretty uncommon and is most often given to folks who were unable to complete all of the requirements to become fully-fledged Open Water divers.

I don't know where you're located but the best way to proceed is to talk with a few instructors to get to know them a little bit and to discuss the particulars of their training program. It might also help to visit the PADI website at www.padi.com. They have a lot of information about the courses and can steer you towards some dive shops in your area.

rakkis

Posted: 8/1/2006 4:30:10 PM

Joined on
8/1/2006

PADI Scuba Diver:
Knowledge Development Chapters 1-3
Confined Water Dives: 1-3
Open Water Dives : 1-2

PADI Open Water Diver:
Knowledge Development Chapters 1-5
Confined Water Dives: 1-5
Open Water Dives : 1-4

As an Open Water diver, you learn more about DCI/DCS and planning your own dives (depth/time). The primary benefit, as described before me is the ability to dive without needing a dive professional (because you now have the ability to plan your dives as well as more what-if scenarios under your belt).

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