Can my AOWD PADI qualification expire?

[jphealy]

I qualified for the Advanced PADI OWD in 1998, but now, for various reasons, I haven't dived in about 5 years (I think it was 2001). I'm going on a trip around the world next year and want to use it as a way of getting back into diving. I'm hoping to dive in a variety of places.

Is it enough to just do some kind of refresher dive/course on my first dive while I'm away? Of course I'll have to feel comfortable myself, but I was just making sure that there wasn't some time limit after which you have to take a full course again or anything. I've been out of it for so long that I don't remember these things!

John

 

[alcina]

Your certification card does not expire BUT your dive competence does.

At the very least you will need to do a refresher session that includes basic diving theory and dive planning, equipment set up and use and basic dive skills. Many dive centres offer this experience and I would suggest you find one in your local area before your holiday, if possible. Then if you do run into any problems or need extra time to bring things back up to speed you don't have to take holiday time to do so.

After five years, no matter what card you have, you are no longer a diver really. You need to get back in the water and review the knowledge and start over again - it doesn't necessarily mean a whole course, but it does mean that's it's not the best idea to simply believe you're ready And remember, it's not just while you are in the water...you need to be able to plan a dive, have contingencies for "what ifs" and understand why the "rules" are the "rules" so you can be a safe and happy diver

Have a great time!!

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Right, what she said. Nice response.

TwoBit

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Ummmm I second what the above said....A referesher and maybe a few easy dives to get back in the groove. Don't forget to have any equipment serviced and batteries replaced etc.... HAve a great trip.

 

[Jason Ooi]

None leadership certifications card does not expire.

 

[pir8]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[TxHockeyGuy]

What has already been said in this thread is great, listen to them. I would however like to add that you should not consider your AOW certification an "advanced certification". AOW is nothing more than exposing you to a few more experiences when diving and I really wish they would call it something else. Please keep this in mind, especially given your long time off.

The other thing I want to say is that you should be very careful about the dives you choose to dive in the immediate future. Remember that our sport is a very unforgiving one. If you end up biting off more than you can chew it WILL bite you back, Murphy will make sure of it.

That being said I have no idea how many dives you have had previously and do not want to come off as being holier than thou (excuse the religious reference). Go take a refresher course, get in a few very simple dives and work your way up from there. I hope you have a great time when you travel the world and am quite envious of the dive experiences you are about to experience.

 

[Gary D.]

Yor card will expire.

You and your card go together.

Gary D.

 

[dive_lover88]

^^ Well...that was tactful

 

[stefo2]

I agree with everything said above except for one minor detail. Since you will be on a long holiday, I presume, I don't see any problem with doing your refresher while away and then go straight back into diving, with the same instructor / DM.
Half a day is hardly wasted holiday time, imo. In fact, on my longish travels there were times when I wanted to stay in one place for a bit, anyway, and then doing a dive course etc. actually gives you something worthwile to so with your time. For example, I did my rescue course on Zanzibar, and although it involved quite a lot of theory and shallow water skills, it didn't feel like I was wasting my time at all, bit having a lot of fun while doing something useful...