Which cert card to present

[lowflyer]

An instructor friend says that when he is diving for fun somewhere he presents only his OW cert card because he doesn't want to expose himself to the expectations of an instructor or DM, not that he wouldn't pitch in and help in an emergency.
So my question is...what do you people who are DM, instructor, or even just Rescue Diver, etc, do when you go to a resort where you are unknown? Present your lowest or highest cert card?

 

[guruboy]

highest.

just because he only shows an OW card doesn't mean he is free of his professional obligations.

BTW, only DM or higher is professional. rescue is still a rec cert.

 

[seeker242]

highest.

just because he only shows an OW card doesn't mean he is free of his professional obligations.

BTW, only DM or higher is professional. rescue is still a rec cert.

What professional obligations does a DM have when they are just out diving for fun?

 

[oly5050user]

If there is an incident the bottom feeding lawyers get everyone in their sights and get eventually find out everyone's certification level. Try to hide the face you are a "dive pro" and it will be discovered.
Dive pros carry liability insurance and there for the insurance company has deep pockets.
I was on a charter where a fatality occurred. Even though I was a paying passenger, had no co,none it on to the diver that died, I was sued. Went no where , was found that I had no liability with the incident , my liability insurance worked and costs me nothing financially.
As to getting stuck with a newbie, simple solution, inform crew that you expect your charter to be no charge and that you charge $200. Per dive to accompany said newbie. Shuts them down real fast. If it does not then look at it this way , for a two tank dive you just made $400. to swim around a bit in circles.

 

[kombiguy]

What professional obligations does a DM have when they are just out diving for fun?

None.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

An instructor friend says that when he is diving for fun somewhere he presents only his OW cert card because he doesn't want to expose himself to the expectations of an instructor or DM, not that he wouldn't pitch in and help in an emergency.
So my question is...what do you people who are DM, instructor, or even just Rescue Diver, etc, do when you go to a resort where you are unknown? Present your lowest or highest cert card?

It depends. For non-tech dives, I'll typically use my instructor card. Yes, I once had a dive crew ask if I'd mind buddying with a new diver ... and I knew they were doing it because the DM who was supposed to be guiding the group figured if I did that then he could stay with the more experienced divers and not have to call the dive when the new one went through their gas quickly. But I was paying $135 for the trip, and let them know if they wanted me in a professional capacity they could comp me the trip and pay my usual fee. They declined.

As for "exposing himself" ... not sure what he's thinking here. Unless you are working in a professional capacity you are under no obligation to assist in an emergency ... but once you offer to assist then you have a legal obligation to do so within the limits of your training. That's fundamentally how it works in our industry ... so if you're worried about "exposure", then don't offer to help. If you do offer to help, then do so within the limits of your training. Seems pretty straightforward. There's no need to present a lower level card, nor any benefit. If someone were intent to include you in a lawsuit, they will quickly find out what your highest cert level is regardless of which card you provided on the day of the dive.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

What professional obligations does a DM have when they are just out diving for fun?

None ... unless you volunteer to assist in some capacity, or accept some form of payment for said assistance.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Lorenzoid]

Some prior threads addressing this sort of question:

What c-card do you show on vacation?

Hiding your certification level

Liability of going pro?

Divemaster liability

 

[rhwestfall]

Question: What card to present?

Answer (with another question): Do you want to be baby sat, or allowed to dive not being herded?

 

[scoobydrew]

Personally, I don't like traveling with many cert cards in case I lose them somehow so I will usually bring one that ticks the most boxes. I usually take a tec cert card even for recreational dives as it shows an achieved pre-requisite of nitrox & deep, that should cover everything you'd want to do on a recreational dive.

I have heard of those that like to hide their pro certs, whatever floats your boat. I personally think there are much easier ways of managing being paired up with someone you'd prefer not to be.

On the flip side are those who when asked to present their card come out with a line like "which one?" as they open their log book folder that contains every piece of plastic available.

Log story short, just show what will get you in the water.