Am I the only person who takes photos of my ID & credit cards before going on a trip? I do the same with my c-cards. I can typically fit six in a photo. Pic of fronts, pic of backs.
If for some reason the one physical card I choose to bring is insufficient for the diving I want to do & the dive op cannot search for my records online, a photo on my phone solves the issue. The zoom function also allows me to show only the card I wish to.
As for which card to show, I would probably default to my OWSI card. If the dive op is going to ask me to do something rather than rely on its own staff, that's information I'd like to know on the surface rather than find out that things might go sideways underwater due to lack of training, experience or too large a group. I have typically been asked how many dives I have completed, which as pointed out above, may be a better gauge of a diver's ability than a "minimum requirements" c-card.
That said, those of you who draw the line of taking on a professional roll on a dive due to liability, I understand and share your concern. If it were me, before the dive I would make clear to the dive op and any buddies I am not acting in a professional capacity but rather in the role of a dive buddy leading others on a dive within their certification and ability.
It also should be said, and I don't recall if it was in this thread, being a pro paired with a new diver on a fun dive might give that diver more confidence and an opportunity to learn from a more experienced diver than the DM working. This is not to disparage DMs; I have learned from many. But a working DM has different priorities in the boat and in the water and likely less time to spend with each diver. I have learned a great deal from other divers who just wanted to help me improve. That continues to this day (well Sunday, the last time I was with other divers).
At the level where c-card roulette is a concern, I encourage others who have posted, most with more experience than me, to think of the wisdom you can impart to other divers and how you can help them have a great experience. That's one of the reasons I became an instructor in the first place.
If for some reason the one physical card I choose to bring is insufficient for the diving I want to do & the dive op cannot search for my records online, a photo on my phone solves the issue. The zoom function also allows me to show only the card I wish to.
As for which card to show, I would probably default to my OWSI card. If the dive op is going to ask me to do something rather than rely on its own staff, that's information I'd like to know on the surface rather than find out that things might go sideways underwater due to lack of training, experience or too large a group. I have typically been asked how many dives I have completed, which as pointed out above, may be a better gauge of a diver's ability than a "minimum requirements" c-card.
That said, those of you who draw the line of taking on a professional roll on a dive due to liability, I understand and share your concern. If it were me, before the dive I would make clear to the dive op and any buddies I am not acting in a professional capacity but rather in the role of a dive buddy leading others on a dive within their certification and ability.
It also should be said, and I don't recall if it was in this thread, being a pro paired with a new diver on a fun dive might give that diver more confidence and an opportunity to learn from a more experienced diver than the DM working. This is not to disparage DMs; I have learned from many. But a working DM has different priorities in the boat and in the water and likely less time to spend with each diver. I have learned a great deal from other divers who just wanted to help me improve. That continues to this day (well Sunday, the last time I was with other divers).
At the level where c-card roulette is a concern, I encourage others who have posted, most with more experience than me, to think of the wisdom you can impart to other divers and how you can help them have a great experience. That's one of the reasons I became an instructor in the first place.