The order from lowest to highest certification is usually considered as:
OW -> AOW -> Rescue
And dive operators will let people go mostly anywhere from AOW.
However, unlike PADI for example, NAUI Rescue can be taken right after OW.
So if someone shows a NAUI Rescue c-card as their highest certification, will they still be considered the same as a Rescue from PADI (thus assuming their level is above AOW) even though they might only have OW?
I understand why you are under the impression that "Rescue" is a "higher level certification" than AOW, but that is not how it works.
Rescue is
ancillary to your other certifications, not higher. In fact, neither NAUI, PADI, or SSI require one to be a AOW or equivalent to enroll and attain Rescue certification. Here are the training/certification pre-reqs' for each of the 3 agencies noted:
PADI:
Adventure Diver/Junior Adventure Diver (or qualifying certification) with completed Underwater Navigation Dive; EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (or qualifying training) within 24 months.
NAUI:
All participants must be in good health and be previously certified as a NAUI Scuba Diver or equivalent.
SSI:
Must be an Open Water Diver with proof of CPR and First Aid Training within the last 24 Months.
Stating you are a "Rescue Diver" is akin to walking into a group situation and stating "hey everyone, just want you to know that I am first aid and CPR certified".
One of the major issues with Rescue Diver certification is that the skills are perishable, and none of the major agencies that provide Rescue Diver certification require continuing education or recertification to maintain the certification. Unless you are asked/interviewed, no one really knows when you obtained your Rescue certification or whether your instructor was particularly thorough or challenging. There are some who claim Rescue was the most challenging cert they participated in/obtained and there are some who feel it wasn't much of a challenge at all....like most dive training, the experience and challenge is very dependent on the quality of the instructor.
In fact, because there is no continuing education/re-certification requirement (other than CPR/First Aid), in my opinion there is far too much emphasis placed on the importance of Rescue certification, and not enough emphasis in incorporating rescue skills in the primary training curriculums (e.g., open water, advanced open water)...NAUI actually does is the exception to this as they include (or at least used to include) in their Advance Scuba Diver and Master Scuba diver course, much of that which makes up PADI's Rescue diver course....at least it was included in the NAUI training courses I took.
-Z
