Barracuda2
Contributor
I'm sort of torn on this issue. I too am an old pre-C-card diver. Started in 1957. Before all the speciality certs. came out, I already did most of them several times. About the only one I haven't done is Cave Diving (penetration out of sight of the entrance). When I couldn't by air without a C-card, it aggravated me; I was forced to get one via an instructor friend who sent my name in with one of his classes. I just recently got my AOW "legally" because I was not allowed to dive the deep side of Gilboa even though I dove it many times before Mike purchased the property.
Did the camel get his nose in the door with all of these speciality certs.? Down the road, will I need a wreck diving cert. to dive Toby, or Isle Royal? Will I need a Cavern diving cert. to dive Ginnie, or Troy, or Royal Springs? Will I need a Night diving cert. to dive at night from the Aggressors? Will I need a School Bus diving cert. to dive all the busses in various quarries? (OK, I went too far on that one) You get my point. You post C-card divers don't know any difference because you were brought up in the environment of instruction and certifications. Yes, you can actually learn to dive yourself. On this point I agree with Savitar. I dove safely for about 20 yrs. without a C-card. Carrying one in my wallet now doesn't make me any safer ; it just allows me to purchase air and life-support gear (and dive the deep side of Gilboa) Unfortunately, I can see the day coming when you go to Belize, you may have to have your AOW to dive the Blue Hole. You post C-card divers are probably saying, "yea, why not? it's a 140' dive" I say if you have the ability and confidense and experience, you should be able to dive where you please.
On the other hand, I am realistic enough to know that without the C-card, many idiots would donn on scuba gear and probably kill themselves because of lack proper knowledge via self training or instructor training. Walter is right; it doesn't matter; the system has got a full head of steam up now and will probably only get more regulatory in the future
My $.02
Barracuda2 ("mature" diver)
Did the camel get his nose in the door with all of these speciality certs.? Down the road, will I need a wreck diving cert. to dive Toby, or Isle Royal? Will I need a Cavern diving cert. to dive Ginnie, or Troy, or Royal Springs? Will I need a Night diving cert. to dive at night from the Aggressors? Will I need a School Bus diving cert. to dive all the busses in various quarries? (OK, I went too far on that one) You get my point. You post C-card divers don't know any difference because you were brought up in the environment of instruction and certifications. Yes, you can actually learn to dive yourself. On this point I agree with Savitar. I dove safely for about 20 yrs. without a C-card. Carrying one in my wallet now doesn't make me any safer ; it just allows me to purchase air and life-support gear (and dive the deep side of Gilboa) Unfortunately, I can see the day coming when you go to Belize, you may have to have your AOW to dive the Blue Hole. You post C-card divers are probably saying, "yea, why not? it's a 140' dive" I say if you have the ability and confidense and experience, you should be able to dive where you please.
On the other hand, I am realistic enough to know that without the C-card, many idiots would donn on scuba gear and probably kill themselves because of lack proper knowledge via self training or instructor training. Walter is right; it doesn't matter; the system has got a full head of steam up now and will probably only get more regulatory in the future
My $.02
Barracuda2 ("mature" diver)
