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

[scratchmyback]

I searched the PADI website and I don't even see Scuba Diver in their wiring diagram anymore. It starts with Open Water Diver.

If I want to level off at 40' (with a buddy/etc), and the rest of the group goes deeper, is that ok?

I don't think you'd have that option with the Scuba Diver designation unless you are with a DM (see below).

Or does my actual dive buddy need to be a DM?

Yes I believe at minimum your dive buddy would need to be a DM, and your dive would be a maximum of 40 feet. I was hoping to find the exact wording on the website.

My suggestion is to upgrade to the full Open Water designation. Two more modules (you already have the book) plus two more pool sessions and two more open water dives. Otherwise the costs you've saved in the intial course might be offset if you have to rent a DM every time you want to dive.

 

[Diver0001]

Wow - thanks for the quick replies!

if I want to level off at 40' (with a buddy/etc), and the rest of the group goes deeper, is that ok?

Well... if everyone is following the rules then it wouldn't be allowed. With a Scuba Diver cert you need to be under direct supervision of a DM or instructor.

As an OW diver this is one of the things that you would be allowed to do although generally the guides like it better if the group stays together.

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.

Actually, in terms of spending your money efficiently it makes good sense to compare the price of the refresher to the price it will cost you to get your OW cert.

R..

 

[Diver0001]

Yes I believe at minimum your dive buddy would need to be a DM, and your dive would be a maximum of 40 feet. I was hoping to find the exact wording on the website.

The DM does not need to be his buddy. The DM is there to supervise him while he's diving. He would be allowed to buddy up with any other certified diver.

R..

 

[BSOD]

I searched the PADI website and I don't even see Scuba Diver in their wiring diagram anymore. It starts with Open Water Diver.

I don't think you'd have that option with the Scuba Diver designation unless you are with a DM (see below).

Yes I believe at minimum your dive buddy would need to be a DM, and your dive would be a maximum of 40 feet. I was hoping to find the exact wording on the website.

I did the same thing (checking PADI's site), and didn't see anything there. Google pulled this up though
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With the PADI Scuba Diver certification you can dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor or higher professional on your next vacation or dive trip.
[/FONT]

 

[tedtim]

My wife did the Scuba Diver certification first. She was on her OW course, but had to go into the hospital for some elective surgery before she could finish. She had done all of the class and pool sessions, but could not get the open water dives completed before it got too cold for her to dive in our area. IMO, that was a good alternative because when we went on vacation she could go diving right away. During the vacation she finished the OW cert.

The cost difference is minimal between the two. Go for the OW certification and you won't have to worry about the "under direct supervison" part.

 

[scratchmyback]

I just dug out my PADI Go Dive manual (2003). This is what it says:

"Scuba Diver Course

The PADI Scuba Diver certification is a limited certification intended for those who will only dive accompanied by a PADI professional-level diver to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet. The Scuba Diver course is a subcourse within the Open Water Diver course. Scuba Divers follow the Open Water course structure and sequence, but complete only:

Knowledge Development Sections 1-3
Confined Water Dives 1-3
Open Water Dives 1-2

It's easy to upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver any time after completing your Scuba Diver course simply by completing the remaining course sections."
I am not sure what is meant by the word "accompanied" but my assumption was this professional would be their buddy. This gets interesting.

 

[spectrum]

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

Given the brevity of todays open water courses, the fact that you by some measures would be due for a refresher course anyways and what's at stake when you are diving I'd say that if you are serious about being a diver go find a good local instructor and get certified. <end of run-on sentence>

I would also encourage you to consider becoming something of an active local diver. That is the key to being a safe and competent diver. Modern exposure protection is amazing stuff.

Pete

 

[rawls]

I would also encourage you to consider becoming something of an active local diver. That is the key to being a safe and competent diver. Modern exposure protection is amazing stuff.

I totally agree. Diving is a wonderful adventure. The more you train and dive, the safer a diver you will be. The more you dive the more you will dive. At some point you may gain friendships with other divers and want to dive with them unsupervised. I'm a divemaster and I wouldn't want to be diving with me all the time It just seems to take alot of the fun out of diving when you have to always dive with someone instead of having that freedom to explore more. The PADI Scuba Diver certification was specifically designed for divers like you who just want to go on vacation and experience diving. But one day you may find yourself wanting to experience more than your cert will allow. I would suggest going ahead and getting the OW cert.
As far as PADI's reputation, I know how much effort they put into bringing divers into the sport. There are alot of people who blast them. Why, I have no idea. I did my divemaster cert through them. I am taking the IDC right now. I can tell you that they expect alot from their instructors. I have had good experience with PADI.

 

[pengwe]

My boyfriend has a Scuba Diver card. Some places treat him exactly like an OW diver, other places give him a private DM buddy (which he pays for), or anything in between. Generally, if there is a DM leading a group, he can tag along with the group, and that's fine.

 

[Bob Vincent]

That course is too get you into wanting to become a diver and take a real course ie Open Water Diver Cert. If you can afford a vacation and going diving on resort courses you can afford getting certified.

Now I hope you mean people look down on resort course ... this I can see will be said in certain text ...

BUT TO SAY PADI IS LOOKED DOWN UPON AS A CERTIFYING AGENCY IS PLAIN ASININE ... I BELIEVE IT IS THE LARGEST CERTIFYING AGENCY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD ... EXCEPTED MORE PLACES THAN NAUI, SSI, YMCA, ETC. AND IN EUROPE ITS PADI OR CMAS THAT YOU SEE THEY ASK FOR.