GUE Fundies/Tech 1: Do Boat Operators Still Want AOW Card Too?

[waterpirate]

It has been my experience to never be denied a dive based on a card. Having dove the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to Pompano beach. Most operators make decisions about you based on gear, your familiarity with your gear, and maybe a couple of probing questions. Cards, schmards, it does not seem to matter to them.
Eric

 

[rjack321]

Same here in WA state.

It has been my experience to never be denied a dive based on a card. Having dove the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to Pompano beach. Most operators make decisions about you based on gear, your familiarity with your gear, and maybe a couple of probing questions. Cards, schmards, it does not seem to matter to them.
Eric

 

[nadwidny]

It has been my experience to never be denied a dive based on a card. Having dove the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to Pompano beach. Most operators make decisions about you based on gear, your familiarity with your gear, and maybe a couple of probing questions. Cards, schmards, it does not seem to matter to them.
Eric

No kidding. Pretty much the only card I've ever been asked for is my Visa card. There is always a space on the waiver where the operator wants to know certification level and number and I dutifully fill those out, but I really can't remember an instance where I was asked to provide a card for proof except once in Australia in '97. I needed to rent some tanks so I showed them my IANTD Nitrox instructor card and the lady said "I'm assuming you need to have an OW card to get this but I don't know what this is so do you have anything else?" So I dug out my PADI AOW card.

 

[Chris Brown Tech]

Hi Chris,

That is great to know. There are 5 of us coming to dive with your shop Oct18-20th, looking forward to meeting you.
One of my dive buddies and I were just discussing today if we thought you would accept DIR-F in place of a AOW card.

Cool! We will look forward to seeing you all. What dives are you looking to do? We also have a few deep drifts as an option as well as the usual Spiegel / Duane / Bibb

 

[limeyx]

I have yet to actually be on a boat asking to see an AOW card. Not in FL, Bahamas, CA, or WA. It seems to be a region/company specific requirement. If the boat is asking for AOW they probably have never heard of GUE. Or they will go ballistic about technical diving/deco.

Some boats here want an AOW card for recreational dives on oil rigs or farnsworth.
Or someone they trust to vouch that you are good.

I have never had the T1 card "rejected" but then never had to really show it either
I usually show the "lowest" card that is applicable for the diving I am doing -- so AOW for recreational diving.

 

[jim T.]

The reason I posted the question was because about 2 yrs. ago I
contacted a skipper/operator of a dive boat in N.C. and he told me that AOW cards would need to be shown.

Unfortunately, I don't recall which operator that was now and that computer died, taking the bookmarks with it, but it was one of the
three "biggies" that are always mentioned on the boards.

From some of the posts here, it sounds like it's a possibility it could be asked for and you never know...
I've never been asked for any cards or log books on the WA State boats either.

 

[bubbleblowindude]

Hey, thanks. Where are you located in AK? I got in a couple of PWS dives this July. Also stood on a iceberg for the first and hopefully not last time. Overall I enjoyed South Central AK.

Sorry we couldn't have dove together! We have a shop in Anchorage, but run our dive boat in Resurrection Bay. Generally, PWS has some cool structure, and beautiful scenery topside, but nowhere near the amount of invertabrates as we find in Resurrection Bay. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip!!
Bests!

 

[bubbleblowindude]

And this is exactly the point. At this point, there is enough of a GUE community that one can travel to many plces and find GUE-trained divers. I've done it on all my warm-water trips.

Sounds like we need to put the scoots and tanks on one of the barges up to Anchorage and get our butts on a plane and come visit. Maybe a Gathering in Alaska in 2008?

We'd love to host a "DIR days" outing in Alaska! Although we run the charter boat from April thru September, I think some of the best diving is august / September. Steel 130's are available for rent as are alum 40's so save the shipping. Scooters probably need to be shipped.
Safe Diving!

 

[Steve R]

I usually show the "lowest" card that is applicable for the diving I am doing -- so AOW for recreational diving.

That didn't work for Brian........lol. He had to up it a tad and flash his Padi AOW :blinking:

....I needed to rent some tanks so I showed them my IANTD Nitrox instructor card and the lady said "I'm assuming you need to have an OW card to get this but I don't know what this is so do you have anything else?" So I dug out my PADI AOW card.

I don't know which is funnier, denying an IANTD Instructor card, or the fact Brian has a Padi card.....

roflmao

 

[SparticleBrane]

The reason I posted the question was because about 2 yrs. ago I
contacted a skipper/operator of a dive boat in N.C. and he told me that AOW cards would need to be shown.

Unfortunately, I don't recall which operator that was now and that computer died, taking the bookmarks with it, but it was one of the
three "biggies" that are always mentioned on the boards.

From some of the posts here, it sounds like it's a possibility it could be asked for and you never know...
I've never been asked for any cards or log books on the WA State boats either.

Doesn't surprise me. Many NC dive shops/charters have some whacky rules. Enough to drive someone insane.