How do referrals work?

[chris_b]

When you do your open water dives with a different instructor, do you have to return to your original instructor before you get your certification card? Or is it issued by the instructor/agency with whom you do the dives?

The reason I'm asking is, we're thinking of going down to Florida for our OW dives. It would be nice if we could do some more dives in the area after finishing the OW dives, but if we have to return to Iowa to get the c-card, it seems like kind of a waste of a trip. The alternative, doing the OW dives here in Iowa in the spring, is likely to be pretty chilly, though!

Thanks for any info!

Chris

 

[Walter]

That differs according to agency. With PADI the open water instructor is the certifying instructor. With the agencies which participate in the Universal Referral Program you are certified by your original instructor. Either way works for you as a student.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[Stone]

chris_b,

Check with the Florida agency you are interested in. PADI issues a temporary Cert card upon completion of OW, so you can dive on your own the next day if you wish.

 

[chris_b]

Ah, forgot to mention the agency... our course is NAUI, but I believe our instructor is certified as an instructor for NAUI, PADI, and YMCA. The referral he offers is the Universal Referral. It sounds like this means we'd be out of luck diving after completing the OW dives, unless we did them with a PADI instructor?

Sorry, I'm still kind of confused.

Chris

 

[Stone]

I know that PADI certifies you immediately upon completion of OW. One might "assume" the other agencies provide a temporary Cert card as well.

 

[Walter]

There shouldn't be a problem getting a temporary card with any agency.

DSSW,

WWW™