Am I still certified?

[TreeTop83]

Hey everyone,

I got certified on my honeymoon (PADI open water) in December 2012 and have not been diving since. I live in Alberta,Canada so it's not that easy to get out, the only time I can go is on vacations and we haven't been on one since we are planning a holiday for next winter and I am wondering if I am still certified or if I have to take a refresher course or something? Also I don't know where my dive book is, what direction should I be going? Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[chillyinCanada]

You are still certified assuming you took the certified open water course and got your card. Yes, you should definitely take a refresher course at a bare minmum. Keep looking for your log book until you find it and then put it somewhere safe (like with your passport) so that you will always know where it is and remember to take it with you on your vacations.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

 

[knotical]

Hey everyone,

I got certified on my honeymoon (PADI open water) in December 2012 and have not been diving since. I live in Alberta,Canada so it's not that easy to get out, the only time I can go is on vacations and we haven't been on one since we are planning a holiday for next winter and I am wondering if I am still certified or if I have to take a refresher course or something? Also I don't know where my dive book is, what direction should I be going? Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks

December 2012 is only last month. I'm guessing: - a typo ?

 

[Colliam7]

I got certified on my honeymoon (PADI open water) in December 2012 and have not been diving since.

Did you really mean 'December 2012' - i.e. last month, or did you perhaps mean an earlier year (2011 or 2010)?

Irrespective of the answer: Yes, you are still certified. Your certification is not revoked, nor does it expire, with time.

I live in Alberta,Canada so it's not that easy to get out, the only time I can go is on vacations and we haven't been on one since we are planning a holiday for next winter and I am wondering if I am still certified or if I have to take a refresher course or something? Also I don't know where my dive book is, what direction should I be going? Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks

What you are really asking about relates to currency, and how to assure that your skills are current when you next wish to use them, if you are not diving regularly. This is a very good question, and suggests you realize what a hiatus in diving may do to your skills. While you are / will be still certified, it is advisable to take a refresher course before challenging yourself with open water diving, if it will have been an extended period of time between initial certification and your next dive experience. A Scuba Review - essentially a pool session and academic review - through a local dive shop in your area, should help you refresh your skills, and be reminded of things that you may have forgotten with time.

 

[TreeTop83]

Sorry 2010 lol, sure hope I don't forget things a month later,don't ask my wife that though My wife thinks she knows we're the dive book and my course book are so before we go ill read through it again and take a refresher course in the pool wherever we may go, we were thinking myan riviera, Mexico or the Dominican, not sure yet. And to answer the were did we go on our honeymoon? St. Lucia. It was beautiful, so much fun.

 

[lindenbruce]

Yes, two years without a dive right after getting certified take a refresher course and re-read your course book. You can even take the refresher while on vacation if it's at such a location. You Canadian's usually fly south for the winter and Cozumel is THE spot. Very hard to beat the food, the diving, and the cost. Bruce

 

[Hawkwood]

Where in Alberta?

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I agree that a) you are still certified, and b) after two years or longer you should certainly take a scuba refresher before going on open water dives again. Reading the materials is useful, but the refresher will also cover the important content. I suggest you try and stay current through getting in the pool every few months at the very least. When Debbie and I are headed out on a dive trip, if she hasn't been in the water in the previous 2 months, we make time for a pool session. Do what you can to stay active, and enjoy your upcoming trip.
DivemasterDennis

 

[drbill]

My psychiatrist told me I am certified for life... so are you. However, it is always a good thing to do a refresher course following a "long" absence from diving. One month (Dec 2012) wouldn't qualify, but a year or two would especially for a diver with relatively little experience. Enjoy!

 

[decompression]

Contact a local dive shop and arrange for a refresher, or take advantage of a shop in Edmonton that has free Friday night pool sessions to refresh your skills. I can pm you the name.