Which certification to bring on dive trip?

[Jim Lapenta]

I always took my highest level certs. At the time I decided to retire, those were Adv Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Adv Wreck, and Solo Instructor cards.
Prior to that, I did my first trip as a DM and took that. Then, when I got my first instructor cert, I took that. Only once did an operation ask me to buddy up with a new diver.
I told them it would be $50 per dive, my boat fees would be refunded, and the diver would need to fill out a liability release waiver. I didn't dive with him.
After that, I always told the op in advance communications that I would not accept being buddied with someone.
Now, there were times on shallow dives where a diver would ask if they could dive with me themselves, and I did. It was fine.
But I also made it clear that I wasn't changing my dive for them. As long as that was understood, we'd be cool. I even did one with a diver who blew through their air in 30 minutes on a planned one-hour dive, and I took them back to the boat and continued my dive, after seeing them safely on the boat.
On deep or wreck dives - never with an insta-buddy.
Showing an OW card as an instructor is stupid. If it's because of being afraid the op would make you take a new diver, you probably don't have the self-confidence and good judgment necessary for an instructor to begin with.

 

[Cdncoldwater]

I always took my highest level certs. At the time I decided to retire, those were Adv Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Adv Wreck, and Solo Instructor cards.
Prior to that, I did my first trip as a DM and took that. Then, when I got my first instructor cert, I took that. Only once did an operation ask me to buddy up with a new diver.
I told them it would be $50 per dive, my boat fees would be refunded, and the diver would need to fill out a liability release waiver. I didn't dive with him.
After that, I always told the op in advance communications that I would not accept being buddied with someone.
Now, there were times on shallow dives where a diver would ask if they could dive with me themselves, and I did. It was fine.
But I also made it clear that I wasn't changing my dive for them. As long as that was understood, we'd be cool. I even did one with a diver who blew through their air in 30 minutes on a planned one-hour dive, and I took them back to the boat and continued my dive, after seeing them safely on the boat.
On deep or wreck dives - never with an insta-buddy.
Showing an OW card as an instructor is stupid. If it's because of being afraid the op would make you take a new diver, you probably don't have the self-confidence and good judgment necessary for an instructor to begin with.

Thanks, I’ve had insta buddies at local dives; some good and some less so but none terrible. This is the second destination trip with my son but I’m slightly more certified and definitely more experienced. I am diving with my son, any insta buddy would be a third wheel iand not my priority honestly. I will full on refuse to separate from my son as a buddy pair to accommodate someone else. This thread has given me perspective and I agree showing your level doesn’t obligate you to do more than any other customer.

 

[Watthem]

Thanks, I’m not “Putting Another Dollar In” to get an e-card; if they were serious about plastics it would be free and you’d have to pay for plastic IMHO.

For the record, the eCards are included with a course by default, and you have to pay for plastic

 

[therookie]

For the record, the eCards are included with a course by default, and you have to pay for plastic

For PADI certifications this seems to be true for certifications issued now, but for older ones it is the reverse.

I received my OW cert in 2021, and the physical card was mailed to me. According to the PADI app I would have to purchase an OW eCard if I wanted one.

Conversely, and as stated above, I received my AOW cert in 2023, and received an eCard at no charge. I would have to pay for a plastic one.

 

[Cdncoldwater]

For the record, the eCards are included with a course by default, and you have to pay for plastic

Not when I did most of my courses with PADI starting in 2017….

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

Not when I did most of my courses with PADI starting in 2017….

Then someone pointed out they could save the cost of postage and printing plastic cards - push that expense to the user by only doing ecards. Pay if you want to get a card.

 

[Watthem]

For PADI certifications this seems to be true for certifications issued now, but for older ones it is the reverse.

I received my OW cert in 2021, and the physical card was mailed to me. According to the PADI app I would have to purchase an OW eCard if I wanted one.

Conversely, and as stated above, I received my AOW cert in 2023, and received an eCard at no charge. I would have to pay for a plastic one.

Not when I did most of my courses with PADI starting in 2017….

To clarify, yes it was the other way around, but eCards are the standard as of at least 2023