C card verification needed

[Jim Lapenta]

Threads morph. If that bothers someone they have the right to not read them. Like TV. If what's on is not to one's taste change the channel.

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[jviehe]

Threads morph. If that bothers someone they have the right to not read them. Like TV. If what's on is not to one's taste change the channel.

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Or you could just take the advertising elsewhere. Thanks!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Not advertising. Just stating facts about the YMCA program and how it has evolved. Advertising would be more along the lines of telling someone they should have certed with someone else because one aspect of that agency is different than the one actually asked about. That the agency the op certed with has now changed to something else makes any discussion of the new entity relevant.
In addition I actually provided useful information and offered actual help. Not tell them something totally useless given their situation.
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[jviehe]

Not advertising. Just stating facts about the YMCA program and how it has evolved. Advertising would be more along the lines of telling someone they should have certed with someone else because one aspect of that agency is different than the one actually asked about. That the agency the op certed with has now changed to something else makes any discussion of the new entity relevant.
In addition I actually provided useful information and offered actual help. Not tell them something totally useless given their situation.
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Whatever.

 

[mcf57]

Well, I just wanted to give an update on my situation (& maybe get the thread back on track ). As suggested by Jim Lapenta early in this thread, I called SEI late on Monday and contacted Santyna. Was able to talk to her directly about my situation and she was VERY helpful. Since nothing was going out of the Gulf Shores area until Friday, I had some time to work with, but she was great and tried to help me with fast tracking my certification for a local dive trip.

Therefore, she sent me a SEI form that would allow me to obtain a new C card ($25). There was a slight hiccup as she said the YMCA database was down all day Tuesday & most of Wed. She was able to finally verify my YMCA certification. While my actual C card is going to be mailed to my home address, she was then also able to email me a copy of my new SEI certification card on Thursday morning. I then forwarded this e-mail to the dive shop. They accepted it and I was able to sign up for a dive charter for Friday.

Went on the dive charter Friday and all went well. Got in two dives, water temp was awesome, visibility was great and got down to about 85ft. All in all a good time. I guess another good thing now too is that I am (assumingly) in the SEI database so if this happens again, I would imagine it would be much easier to verify and obtain my C card.

Thanks to all here for providing me with some resources to help me out. I only go about twice per year and this was one of my main trips. I was gonna be bummed if I wasn't able to make it, but it all worked out in the end. Again, thanks

 

[Superlyte27]

-edit-

upon reading entire thread, it seems OP was able to resolve the issue.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Yes you are now in the SEI database and from this point on no problem with verification. Santyna is a joy to work with and goes out of her way to help.
As a foot note to others who may find themselves in a similar situation. The majority of YMCA instructors were independent and not necessarily affiliated with any shops. When the program closed it is likely that some of those instructors chose not to continue. I know of a few that gave up teaching altogether. Some with older records may simply have gotten rid of them. Seven years is what most often is said we should keep them. You also have those who moved, passed on, or for some other reason are not available.
In these cases please get a hold of me or SEI HQ as many times we can help and most certainly will. Thanks.

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[mcf57]

Yea, it was a pleasure to work with SEI for getting this resolved. Another thing I just realized is I guess I can hang on to the (Comcast) email she sent me as it has a picture of my new SEI C card along with a letter of verification. If needed for another similar situation/emergency, I can do the same thing and simply print it out and bring it along with me to the marina/dive shop (along with my driver's license for ID) where the dive charter is leaving from. This seems like the next best thing to an "app" that would have my C card.

I am sure I will wind up finding my old YMCA card in a few weeks, but since I will be getting a new one anyway, hopefully losing it won't happen again & this won't be needed. Nice to know I will have a backup plan though.

 

[vladimir]

My original certification class was YMCA/PADI, so I got the benefit of first-class instruction and the ability to verify my certification on my cellphone*.




*I did have to wait twenty-five years for a cellphone, though.