Certifying For Multiple Agencies Through A Single Course

What is it you disagree with?

 

To the OP, no worries. The standards of most agencies allow instructors to issue dual or multiple certification cards through other agencies provided the standards for each agency has been met.

Multiple certifications often benefit the student but cause more problems for the instructor and the training agencies. Does the student need multiple manuals? Does the student need to see each agency's E-learning or Power Point? What about conflicting skills or safety standards?

For example if Agency A allows a "safe exit" primary tie-off while Agency B requires an "open water" primary tie-off the student benefits from both concepts learning the pros and cons of each method under various circumstances encountered at different systems. The problem for the instructor is how to use a safe exit standard for Agency A without violating an open water standard for agency B? If the instructor decides to meet both standards then the student benefits from a having a continuous guideline to open water and maybe learning to tie-off in crowded situations. Could the student also benefit by actually employing a safe exit strategy? (Oh, the fun an instructor could have!) Is the instructor violating standards for Agency B? Could he or she declare a safe exit dive to only apply to Agency A? This raises a labyrinth of questions each professional must navigate.

While the student gets to become part of a bigger community, perhaps joining different organizations and getting access to more dive sites, and gets more C-cards for travel, the downside isn't really as big a factor for student safety and education as it is for professional liability.

 

I am not a fan of issuing multiple cards for the same class. One are of concern is the written exam, does the XYZ agency exam satisfy the standards of the PDQ agency exam?

And what is the value of having 3 nitrox cards or 2 advanced diver cards?

 

For Cave, I can understand the option. If the class was being taught out of a TDI shop, but the instructor can also certify as NSS-CDS, it would be worth getting the second card since you can get access to a few sites you wouldn't have otherwise. Also with any professional level tech courses, they aren't all recognized by each other. I have a NAUI tech support leader (or whatever it's called) that effectively allows me to be a dive master up to whatever level I am certified. TDI doesn't recognize it, so when I crossed over I didn't get a TDI tech DM cert. If I had the option to get both the NAUI and TDI certs at the time, I would have.

But in general, you don't need a NAUI, TDI and IANTD advanced nitrox/deco procedures certs. PADI seems to have their own leveling up plans, so if you are going between PADI and non-PADI tech courses, it might be worth getting multiple certs as well just to remove any equivalency issues down the road.

-Chris

 

Not likely any value for nitrox or AOW, but possibly good value for Cavern, for example, which is I think what the OP is asking about.

 

I had the same experience with Cave. NACD/NSS-CDS/NASE all in one course. I haven't finished, but to get all the cards I'll have to pay fees for all three cards (relatively minor considering the cost of the classes).

NACD Seems to be losing value if the threads on CDF are to be believed.

 

Why would this be a problem? There are dozens of non-commercial associations and commercial corporations that have defined their own standards and that certify (for a fee) that someone meets their standards. If you meet several standards, then you do. Period. Pay for the plastic and be done.

The instructor may be bound by some rules (e.g. do not work for a competitor) but why would you care if they did not?

I did get my ass.instructor cert simultaneously from NAUI and a national association of divers. How convenient.

 

I see it as the student's choice if it is an option and for good reason.

I've taken several TeamLGS (ACUC) courses. The requirements far exceed either PADI or NAUI standards for the similarly named course. The instructors are all both PADI and NAUI instructors.

Why? You are on vacation and pull out an ACUC card. Possible questions.

Pull out a PADI or NAUI card by the same name. No questions.

ACUC works fine for me, where I dive I don't need cards. Well, that isn't entirely true. Exxon, Shell, BP, Lukoil...

 

And following all of their standards... I've just looked in Padi Standards and Procedures and couldn't fine anything going against it... I would want the professional opinion of a lawyer specialized in diving though... we never know, if an accident happens... liabilities... I wouldn't be surprised if insurances would try their best not to pay the claim