Long time between dives

[spectrum]

I have a sister-in-law who also has gotten her certification. Since hearing my stories from Grenada and future plans, she is thinking of trying to get back into diving and go with us. She hasn't gone in probably close to 20yrs though and got ceritfied sometime back in the 80s. I was telling her that I think she needs to take a refresher course of some sort before any place will let her dive. At least I remember my dive instructor mentioning this.

Is this true? If so, any recommendation or route to go that I can tell her for trying to get back into diving after being out for so long?

Truth is scenario dependent.

There is no scuba police so in the simplest terms you can obtain air and any yahoo regardless of certification or activity can strap on a tank and go diving. That would be a violation of your certification and it could open the door to legal grief if there are problems.

She should start by speaking with an instructor. A common recommendation for someone with such a gap it to fast track through the OW course. Odds are it will be a breeze and she'll end up mentoring some of the true newbies. This assumes she was a truly active diver 20 years ago.

The next question is was she certified 20 years ago or did she cease being an active diver 20 years ago? If she made 10 dives and put the card in the bureau then reprising OW course is surely recommended.

Pete

 

[diver 85]

I agree with ScubaSpicher. she should speak with an instructer at least. I dont know how diving was 20 years ago. it seems like a long time to not be diving. There was so much to learn in my OW class, i imagine she cant remember everything from 20 years ago and the skills to.

Except for diving with a computer, nothing has changed in 20 years----same rules, same laws still affect the body UW.......Stop and think about it, if it would have changed, someone-somewhere would want us to get yearly C.E........Question is, how good & experienced of a diver was she 20 years ago & how good's her memory(she probably needs a refresher of some sort)

 

[scuba_frog]

This discussion came up at a dive yesterday. So bottom line, your C-Card NEVER expires, but a refresher course is always recommended after an extended break from diving. But a "recertification" is not necessary.

Is this philosophy different between dive agencies (PADI, NAUI, etc.).

 

[mcf57]

I beleive she was somewhat an active diver back then and just ceased diving 20yrs ago. Not heavy or anything complicated, but she had he license a few years before that. I agree that taking some sort of refresher course is probably what is neede here and will highly recommend it to her.

 

[--tom--]

If she chooses not to do a refresher, you might want to take some extra time and talk to her so you are diving "on the same page". Some things that were on the cusp in the eighties: I was taught buddy breathing & that a second, second stage was just an extra failure point, her class may have been different, but she may not know the protocol. The first two BCDs I had were oral inflate only (+ a CO2 cartridge in an emergency), there are some nuances with a power inflator, not difficult, just different. I was initially taught a 60' ascent rate (no faster than your smallest bubble), she may enjoy the ascent rate reminder on the computer, so that the team stays together. US Navy dive tables didn't have safety stops, and that was the set of tables I learned on. If you are diving with her and you are going to do a stop, she might want to know, so you can stay together. These are primarily communication issues, and I find that if I have good communication with my buddy before the dive, the dive usually goes well.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

I agree with ScubaSpicher. she should speak with an instructer at least. I dont know how diving was 20 years ago. it seems like a long time to not be diving. There was so much to learn in my OW class, i imagine she cant remember everything from 20 years ago and the skills to.

A refresher is a good idea. She should look for or talk to an instructor who has been diving for at least 15 to 20 years, so he/she can relate to her expectations.

Just a suggestion.

 

[Ben_Ayers]

I'm just wrapping-up OW #2. It seemed like a refresher compared to OW #1 back in 1986. The first course was longer and more comprehensive. It seems like much of what we learned back then are specialties now. It was nice to review the gas laws, physiology, and dive tables.
I'm not going to be able to complete my check-outs with the rest of my class (going on vacation) and am worried for some of them - the quarry presently has 4 -5 ' vis!! I'm having nightmares of people getting lost, and uncontrolled descents/ascents.
There is no way I could be an scuba instructor or drivers ed instructor - way too much stress!

Thanks,
Ben

 

[diver 85]

I'm just wrapping-up OW #2. It seemed like a refresher compared to OW #1 back in 1986. The first course was longer and more comprehensive. It seems like much of what we learned back then are specialties now. It was nice to review the gas laws, physiology, and dive tables.
I'm not going to be able to complete my check-outs with the rest of my class (going on vacation) and am worried for some of them - the quarry presently has 4 -5 ' vis!! I'm having nightmares of people getting lost, and uncontrolled descents/ascents.
There is no way I could be an scuba instructor or drivers ed instructor - way too much stress!

Thanks,
Ben

From what I've read about today's 'lessons', they tend to sniff you by scuba......

 

[T Bone]

From my own experience (certified 1984, 300+ dives until 1992, one dive in 1994, then nothing until....). I took a refresher course in the Florida Keys this Spring. Having been off for essentially 16 years, I was certain a refresher was a minimum. Turns out the pool session ended up with the instructor having 4 other students including some "e students" prepping for open water, and another fresh from a classroom/pool session up North. As a result, I found myself needing an extra pool session (which the operator, Ocean Divers, provided at no charge) to get comfortable in the water again.

The refresher was a great thing, and necessary in my case. It also allowed me to make an honest and accurate assessment of my skills and comfort level without being in the open water environment.

I'd say if she was active, go for the refresher (minimum). If not so active, maybe "audit" the complete certification course done today (which sounds much less educational than those of the 1980's, a definite step backwards ).

And the old gear should be inspected, but may still be quite serviceable. Some of mine is.

 

[tomboyy]

We now have nitrox computers vs only air computers with tables being the only option for nitrox 20 years ago. Other than that, the average computer has not changed much. In what way is today's gear "more efficient?"

I think there is prolly a BIG difference in computers made 20 years ago and computers made today. More efficient (computers)? Sure. Take a dive computer from 1988 ( I've never seen one) and a dive computer from 2008 and I'll bet the new one is ALOT more efficient. More features ? easier to read ? Less complex ? In my mind that definately makes it more efficient.

Not trying to ruffle your feathers Walter... I was just saying