Is certification necessary for shallow water diving?

[34109411]

Here Folks is the guaranteed way to kill our sport.

Government is not the solution, it is the problem.

 

[Miyaru]

Hi. here in poutine country (not to be mix with cave country...), we are one of the few place that require a license to dive, your padi certification or any other certification will not be recognize. You do need that license to dive either on your own or with an operator. The license is under a law. Someone not having the license could be fine up to 10 000$.

Plus each 3 years you need to demonstrated you are up to date. DM and instructor EACH YEARS.


the practice of recreational scuba diving is governed by the Regulation respecting recreational scuba diving qualifications authorized by the Act respecting safety in sports (R.S.Q., c. S-3.1, c. V.2).
Under the Act (c. V.2, ss. 46.17 and 46.18), a person who practices recreational underwater diving other than during a qualification course or examination, or who teaches, must hold a certificate attesting to the level of qualification that he has acquired in the field of underwater diving or teaching diving.
The Regulation respecting qualification in recreational underwater diving (L.R.Q., c. S-3.1, r. 8) specifies the conditions under which the holder of a certificate of qualification may dive or teach according to his level of qualification. The qualification levels are diver – class A, B, C and D and instructor – class A, B and C. The level of diver – class D allows to exercise certain functions of assistance to the instructor. For details of the levels and their requirements, see the Regulation.
For tourists or people certified outside Quebec, a temporary equivalence certificate can be issued under certain conditions.

Renewal of certificate of qualification​

As an A, B, C diver
(Every 3 years)
...have made a minimum of (10) ten recreational underwater dives using compressed gas within the last (3) three years OR
...demonstrate that you have participated in a refresher course during a dive supervised by a qualified instructor OR
...pass the examinations leading to the issuance of the certificate.
As a class D diver
(every year)
...be a member in good standing, as an assistant instructor or chief diver, of one of the agencies listed in the appendix to the regulations AND
...demonstrate that you have participated, during the validity period of your certificate, in at least one 4-hour refresher clinic within the last 3 years.
As an A, B, C instructor
(every year)
...be a member in good standing, as an instructor, of one of the agencies listed in the appendix to the regulation AND
...demonstrate that you have participated in at least one 4-hour refresher clinic in the past year during the validity period of your certificate.

Croatia has a similar regulation. It's a money-making scheme that tries to protect dive centers. You either pay 318,53 EUR for a one-year license, or you dive with a dive center.

 

[rick00001967]

i have a serious question for those that are making a distinction between being trained and being certified.

if you only have training (even if it is excellent training), but no official certification, how do you plan on getting breathing gas? buy your own compressor?

 

[Miyaru]

i have a serious question for those that are making a distinction between being trained and being certified.

if you only have training (even if it is excellent training), but no official certification, how do you plan on getting breathing gas? buy your own compressor?

1. connect cylinder
2. open whip, open valve
3. insert coins

 

[34109411]

View attachment 831569

1. connect cylinder
2. open whip, open valve
3. insert coins

wow that's nice !

 

[34109411]

for that matter i only dive in Ontario, which mean 2h30 hrs drive from my home but it s really worth it . Could not be bother with all these regulation.

 

[rick00001967]

View attachment 831569

1. connect cylinder
2. open whip, open valve
3. insert coins

very cool. never seen one or even heard of one of these before. so anyone can just roll up and get a fill to whatever pressure they want? where is this located?

 

[Miyaru]

very cool. never seen one or even heard of one of these before. so anyone can just roll up and get a fill to whatever pressure they want? where is this located?

There are several of these filling stations in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The instructions state that you're only allowed to fill cylinders that are within the hydro date - so that is your responsibility. Each container has a compressor and a large airbank, on the outside you pay with coins or you use your NFC bank card.

Theoretically you can fill dodgy tanks and risk injury, as you're usually standing next to the cylinder being filled. If an accident happens, it's your own stupid fault, and you'll probably get a fine from law enforcement, plus you have to pay for the damages. There's no litigation, stupidity doesn't get you money in court.

 

[rick00001967]

There are several of these filling stations in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The instructions state that you're only allowed to fill cylinders that are within the hydro date - so that is your responsibility. Each container has a compressor and a large airbank, on the outside you pay with coins or you use your NFC bank card.

Theoretically you can fill dodgy tanks and risk injury, as you're usually standing next to the cylinder being filled. If an accident happens, it's your own stupid fault, and you'll probably get a fine from law enforcement, plus you have to pay for the damages. There's no litigation, stupidity doesn't get you money in court.

very interesting. i wonder if anyone knows of anything similar in canada or the usa? i would be shocked if there was.

 

[Miyaru]

i would be shocked if there was.

Why?