How should I go from PADI Scuba Diver -> OW?

[BSOD]

I was on vacation recently off the coast of Belize, and on a whim, took a Discover Scuba course. Naturally, I had fun, but didn't think I wanted to do a full OW class, since I don't think I'll be diving THAT much, just maybe when I'm on vacation somewhere warm every 1-2 years. Thus, I couldn't really justify spending the significant amount of extra money and precious vacation time on the OW class (which looking around now, it was pricier than many other places, but in part likely due to the remote location). So, the shorter Scuba Diver course seemed perfect, and sounded like it could be used around other places as well. I'm fine with a 40' limit (for now), and I'd rather prefer diving with a DM, being that I'm still essentially a noob.

Fast forward to getting back home, plugged in, and looking into an upcoming Maui vacation, I see some valid arguments that the PADI Scuba Diver cert is somewhat looked down upon, and may not be all that widely accepted. If I want to go on a dive, do I need to have an OW cert? As mentioned above, I don't think I'll be diving all that much, and would have probably even been OK with doing Discover Scuba courses whenever I went to the islands, but figured the SD cert would be a half step above that, so I wouldn't need to go through the classroom and pool sessions each time.

If I do end up going for an OW cert (for one reason or another), how does the SD cert apply? It's not quite starting from scratch, but it's not quite like a normal referral...

Thanks

 

[fisherdvm]

I don't think it is looked down upon. They certified the most numbers of divers, including probably 1/2 of their critics on Scubaboard.

The experience you get from PADI is likely equivalent to SSI, I doubt if there is really that much difference.

My nephew certified with SSI, and he is the worst diver I've ever seen. Not to put down the SSI system.

It is not what card you carry, it is how you dive, and conduct yourself that makes the difference.

 

[Diver0001]

As a PADI scuba diver you will need to dive under supervision and you have a depth limit. The cert is valid everywhere you go. However, some boats may be going places that are too deep for you or they may be offering too little supervision for you to be safely watched.

Personally, I would recommend doing the rest of the OW course because it does open up some doors for you. As for people looking down the the scuba diver cert.... it's the internet. people look down on *everything* when they're safely behind their computer.

So you've already done the first 3 sessions in teh pool and the first two dives in open water. Aside from the paperwork if you want to do the OW course then you'll be required to do the following:
- take a session with an instructor in a pool so he/she can evaluate your skills etc.
- you'll be tested again
- you'll have to take the last two modules of OW (theory and pool)
- you'll have to take two more dives in open water.

Because you already have the scuba diver cert, you should be able to get a good discount on the price because you'll only be taking 1/2 the course.

Good luck.

R..

 

[oly5050user]

may wind up costing more now to go diving for you may have to pay for a dm or instr. to dive with you...depending on the facility and how much you retained from your SD class anywhere from a full blown ow course to a modified one to keep in standards ..I would suggest a full ow course if you plan also to dive locally.,or if its been some time since you had been in water..Totally different thing up north(if that is where you are) to what you experienced in the tropics.

 

[Onehappyisland]

Fast forward to getting back home, plugged in, and looking into an upcoming Maui vacation, I see some valid arguments that the PADI Scuba Diver cert is somewhat looked down upon, and may not be all that widely accepted. If I want to go on a dive, do I need to have an OW cert? As mentioned above, I don't think I'll be diving all that much, and would have probably even been OK with doing Discover Scuba courses whenever I went to the islands, but figured the SD cert would be a half step above that, so I wouldn't need to go through the classroom and pool sessions each time.

If I do end up going for an OW cert (for one reason or another), how does the SD cert apply? It's not quite starting from scratch, but it's not quite like a normal referral...


No you don't need a full certification. if you are scuba diver certified you can go diving (within the restrictions you already stated) wit a dive professional like divemaster, assistant or instructor (or higher) and don't have to do the pool and knowledge again. So this will give you little bit more time advantage.

PADI is worldwide recognized and so is the scuba diver certification.

the only "problem" i see picking up in your story is this:
you say that you only wants to go diving once in the 1 or 2 years.
There are still a lot of divecenters and their staff wo don't pay full attention to scuba divers and just put them in a group of certified divers.

Imaging yourself getting your (part of) driverslicense and then once a year you go driving with a group of other people in their cars with one guide in the front. let's say in NY city.:no

So in your case if you find out that you are diving in a (crowded) divecenter that doesn't pay attention to you as a scuba diver, pay a little bit extra for a private guide and enjoy your dives as much as you can.

 

[Onehappyisland]

Wauw, i wrote a reply because there was no reply. post mine and the tread is almost 2 pages. Am i typing that slow??

 

[GONEHAWKN]

also, keep this mind. even IF you do get your OW cert to only dive while on vacation(1-2 times a year), you may or may not have to take a refresher course because of the time frame from your last dive. depending on where you go, that could be pricey. i have went out with operations that never once asked for my log book. all they wanted to see is your "C" card.

 

[gangrel441]

I don't think it is looked down upon. They certified the most numbers of divers, including probably 1/2 of their critics on Scubaboard.

The experience you get from PADI is likely equivalent to SSI, I doubt if there is really that much difference.

My nephew certified with SSI, and he is the worst diver I've ever seen. Not to put down the SSI system.

It is not what card you carry, it is how you dive, and conduct yourself that makes the difference.

His concern as far as I can tell isn't that he has a PADI cert. It is that his cert is the Scuba Diver cert, rather than the Open Water cert. Scuba Diver only certifies the diver to dive with a diving professional, and limits depth to 40'. Open Water certifies the diver to dive without professional supervision and recommends a limit of 60'.

 

[Charles R]

Get the full OW A freind of mine had the same attitude that he was only going to dive 1-2 times a year. and he has paid for the cost of 3 OW certs with the SD the dive ops almost always made hime do a refresher @ $50-75 Then he had to pay the DM $50 Just do the rest and enjoy

 

[BSOD]

Wow - thanks for the quick replies!

As a PADI scuba diver you will need to dive under supervision and you have a depth limit. The cert is valid everywhere you go. However, some boats may be going places that are too deep for you or they may be offering too little supervision for you to be safely watched.

Since I've only dove with the operator I got certified with, I'm not sure how other ops work - if I want to level off at 40' (with a buddy/etc), and the rest of the group goes deeper, is that ok?

may wind up costing more now to go diving for you may have to pay for a dm or instr. to dive with you..

Isn't there usually a/some DM(s) on the dive with boat tours? Or does my actual dive buddy need to be a DM?

Get the full OW A freind of mine had the same attitude that he was only going to dive 1-2 times a year. and he has paid for the cost of 3 OW certs with the SD the dive ops almost always made hime do a refresher @ $50-75 Then he had to pay the DM $50 Just do the rest and enjoy

If it's over a year, I wouldn't mind the refresher course - since I'd probably take one anyways if it was that long, and I had an OW cert. If we're talking under a year, then yeah, that could be a problem (i.e. the SD cert being not too useful). As far as paying for a DM per dive, see my above comment.