AOW - New Cert Number?

[Squishy]

Hello!
I recently completed my AOW certification and just received my new card in the mail today. I am curious why my new card has a new diver ID number. It seems that it would make more sense to just update the records on my original OW certification.

It's not a big deal, except that I was using the last 4 digits of my diver number to label my equipment, so now that doesn't make much sense.

Just curious as to why we get a new identification number with a new certification level.

Thanks!
-Mike-

 

[ianw2]

You'll get new numbers issued for every cert until you go pro. The number issued for your DM cert will be the number for all future certs.

Just the way it is.

 

[don Francisco]

Squishy-
You didn't mention the agency, but I suspect it's PADI. Yes, logic would suggest using one diver ID# for life, and adding new certs. under the same master file. But some things aren't determined by logic, and this is one of them.

For me it's a minor pet peeve, since I'm also Nitrox certified, and have to actually carry both cards, since some dive shops don't accept the premiss that if I'm Nitrox certified then by implication I'm at least OW certified. Go figure.

Anyway I've asked PADI staff at dive shows and they've have told me it's something to do with their computer programming, and internally they've discussed this for years with no change.

I've reminded them that even the New York DMV, not exactly an enlightened service agency manages to issue me one drivers license with all my qualifications and restrictions on the same piece of paper.

Don't expect any change soon, someone high up in PADI must be getting a small royalty payment for each piece of plastic they issue. dF

 

[Walter]

Some agencies don't issue numbers for non-professional certifications. If an agency want to issue numbers to divers, but different numbers for each certification to the same diver, what possible difference could it make to the diver? It's a non-issue.

 

[ClayJar]

Non-professional PADI numbers, from what I gather, are not diver identification numbers at all, although they tend to be thought of as such. Instead, they're basically card identification numbers. All they do is identify the order in which cards were issued for each course. (They're closer to "Now Serving" numbers at the DMV than to driver's license numbers.)

My favorite illogical use of PADI numbers has to be the waiver sheets that require a number while not requiring you to note which card provided the number. I just have to chuckle when I see that one. (I'm tempted to just give them one factor of my phone number, but I don't think the joke would work.)

 

[Damselfish]

using a number on gear isn't as useful as a name anyway. If say you leave something on a boat and it has your name on it, there's a lot better chance you will get it back than if you've got some meaningless number on it.

 

[nereas]

It is easier obviouly to run off a new number for students than it is to process applications with the same single number. I noticed this with SSI and TDI, since those are the agencies that I have done the most training with (AOW, Nitrox, Adv Nitrox, Stage Deco, Basic Trimix, & Advanced Trimix). Until you reach the instructor level, your number is not fixed.

I would use your cell phone number as your I/D number. At least then anyone finding your gear can call you on the phone.

 

[ClayJar]

It is easier obviouly to run off a new number for students than it is to process applications with the same single number.

Well, if you're going to go with "easier", it's *far* "easier" to type in a diver ID number than to type in the diver's details. On the other hand, if they don't reenter the diver's details, then they must be connecting through the same records. It may be slightly less "easy" *once* to code for it, but from that point on forevermore, it's "easier".

No, I don't think we can use "easy" as an excuse. Organizational inertia? Sure. Simple laziness? Yeah, that too. Easy? That would require assuming they're rather less intelligent than your average middle schooler with PHP and MySQL, and I don't think it'd be right to call them stupid.

 

[JKPAO]

I use 4 digits of my SS #. Doubt anyone has the same 4 digits on their gear, same day, same boat same anything???...

The #'s have to do with the dates of the cert. in some agencies, and like someone said it does not stay the same untill Pro Level Is attained. Buy this time, the proability that you will have changed configurations several times is highly likely. So those other numbers won't matter.
See you topside! John

 

[Squishy]

Thanks to all who responded! I liked the idea of using the phone number to ID equipment. Name and address probably works too. (Worked for Nemo's dad)

-Mike-