Getting your C card with PADI

[bburkes]

Hello All,

Does any one know how long it took for them to have their C card in hand after their check out dives? I will be hopefully completing my checkout dives by the end of this month and would like to know how long it will take to get my card from that point. I would just like to get an average time.

Thanks.

 

[Diver0001]

It depends on how busy they are but they´ve been pretty good at getting them there within 6 weeks, in many cases faster if you put the cert in online.

You´ll also be issued a temporary cert after the course that´s good for 3 months so you don´t have to wait to receive your plastic card before you go diving.

R..

 

[chrpai]

I did the Self-Reliant specialty a couple months ago and the instructor used his iPhone right on the boat to submit the card. I told him to not bother with the temp card ( there's no scuba police around here ). That was a saturday or sunday and I had my card by Friday.

 

[Adam Grose]

I did my OW checkout dives on a Saturday and Sunday, my instructor submitted my info to PADI online, and I had the card later that same week.

Adam

Hello All,

Does any one know how long it took for them to have their C card in hand after their check out dives? I will be hopefully completing my checkout dives by the end of this month and would like to know how long it will take to get my card from that point. I would just like to get an average time.

Thanks.

 

[bburkes]

You´ll also be issued a temporary cert after the course that´s good for 3 months so you don´t have to wait to receive your plastic card before you go diving.

No one every clued me into this. My concern was that I have a dive trip planned for the end of May and I was worried that if I din't complete my check out dives early enough to get my card the captain would not let me on the boat. Thanks Diver0001

So this Temp cert is issue by my instructor?

 

[chrpai]

Yes, issued by instructor. You should also check with your destination on the possibility of doing a "referral" in the event that you don't complete all of your o/w dives for whatever reason. My wife did most of her class in Miami but wasn't able to finish. She then finished it on BlackBeard's in the Bahamas.

 

[tplyons]

I've had them as soon as a week, as long as 3-4 weeks. Depends how busy they are.

 

[bburkes]

You should also check with your destination on the possibility of doing a "referral" in the event that you don't complete all of your o/w dives for whatever reason.

Yes, I have looked into it. The issue is both my instructor and I hate cold water. Our local quarry is spring fed. So while most bodies of water around us are in the upper 60's the quarry is still in the mid 50's. That is what is stopping me from jumping in right now. I am only 4 hours from the Gulf of Mexico and it is in or near 70's. So, I have looked into doing a referral down there. But that temp cert sounds like the way I will be going. I just wish I would have known about it earlier. I am surprised my instructor never mentioned it considering he knew I have been worried about this. Thank you to all who replied and put my mind at ease.

Thanks

 

[261311]

Take your dive log that outlines you've completed your course if you don't have any cards. It's used same as your certification cards, just like a resume of experience. Your instructor should have filled it out thus far and complete it again when you're finished your dives.

 

[gurnie]

"Take your dive log that outlines you've completed your course if you don't have any cards. It's used same as your certification cards, just like a resume of experience." I don't agree with this. Logs can not be used as replacement of a C Card... If you need a card most instructors can issue a temporary card that is good for 30 days until your permanent one is issued from your certification agency..