Oh oh... DAN in Quebec

[Goingforsound]

I dont remember the specifics but the regulation issue is known and disclosed. They must be bored over their mond to explain it over and over again

 

[twistypencil]

I dont remember the specifics but the regulation issue is known and disclosed. They must be bored over their mond to explain it over and over again

Really? I've tried to find something online, and have not been able to find anything. Calls and emails to DAN have not produced any information. Can you provide some kind of citation or reference?

 

[W W Meixner]

Good to know about Morrison.

SD...

Don't rest on your laurels about Morrison Quarry...not being asked by an ''I could care less'' operator is one thing...

Being approached by an FQAS Mandataire and not having your FQAS Certification card is something else...

It's a Provincial Legislative requirement based on a Provincially Legislated Safety Standard...you can follow the legal requirement...or not...and pay the consequences if you should get caught...you'll all note there are not scuba related fatalities in Quebec...like there seem to be everywhere else...

I dove Morrison Quarry once...I arranged for an FQAS Mandataire through Sharky's Dive Shop in Ottawa...the FQAS card cost me $75. CDN...

I don't believe our purpose here is to encourage anyone to break any laws...where ever it may be...

Proceed as you see fit...

W.M...

 

[electric_diver]

I agree, I'd like to know what the exact regulatory issue is

Given that insurance is a provincial area of control, Quebec has likely set a requirement that can only be met by a Quebec based corporation. DAN probably needs to find a Quebec based partner but the economics of it are not viable.
Either that or they are requiring DAN insurance to be translated into French and its just not worth it for DAN.

 

[ThatDogDontHunt]

So what are the options? I believe that Allianz and Blue Cross both provide medical travel insurance that covers scuba diving (maybe with some depth limits?).

Are there others?

 

[Ben_3]

So what are the options? I believe that Allianz and Blue Cross both provide medical travel insurance that covers scuba diving (maybe with some depth limits?).

Are there others?

If you are in Qc, I have heard of Dive Assure and CAA insurance as alternatives.

 

[shoredivr]

SD...

Don't rest on your laurels about Morrison Quarry...not being asked by an ''I could care less'' operator is one thing...

Being approached by an FQAS Mandataire and not having your FQAS Certification card is something else...

It's a Provincial Legislative requirement based on a Provincially Legislated Safety Standard...you can follow the legal requirement...or not...and pay the consequences if you should get caught...you'll all note there are not scuba related fatalities in Quebec...like there seem to be everywhere else...

I dove Morrison Quarry once...I arranged for an FQAS Mandataire through Sharky's Dive Shop in Ottawa...the FQAS card cost me $75. CDN...

I don't believe our purpose here is to encourage anyone to break any laws...where ever it may be...

Proceed as you see fit...

W.M...

IMO the reason there are fewer accidents in QC is because the majority of Quebecois(e) divers are diving in the Ontario portion of the St Lawrence River (I seem to meet more than half of them every summer lol), not because the giant bureaucratic tax grab that is the FQAS makes diving any safer in QC.

Seriously though the Quebecois(e) divers I’ve talked to enjoy the lack of nanny state diving in Ontario, unencumbered by Quebec provincial regulations that place an extra burden on divers, I believe it’s unique in the world. Not only do divers in QC require a regular c-card, they must also obtain an FQAS card. There are so many cold water diving locations worldwide that have good safety records using established diver training. It’s unfortunate that FQAS makes diving in QC difficult by requiring an unnecessary extra dive(s) with a divemaster and the additional cost for non QC residents. Any cold/water trained drysuit diver should have zero problems diving in Quebec’s cold water.

 

[W W Meixner]

IMO the reason there are fewer accidents in QC is because the majority of Quebecois(e) divers are diving in the Ontario portion of the St Lawrence River (I seem to meet more than half of them every summer lol), not because the giant bureaucratic tax grab that is the FQAS makes diving any safer in QC.

Seriously though the Quebecois(e) divers I’ve talked to enjoy the lack of nanny state diving in Ontario, unencumbered by Quebec provincial regulations that place an extra burden on divers, I believe it’s unique in the world. Not only do divers in QC require a regular c-card, they must also obtain an FQAS card. There are so many cold water diving locations worldwide that have good safety records using established diver training. It’s unfortunate that FQAS makes diving in QC difficult by requiring an unnecessary extra dive(s) with a divemaster and the additional cost for non QC residents. Any cold/water trained drysuit diver should have zero problems diving in Quebec’s cold water.

SD...

It's no more burdensome than any ''prior planning'' you would normally make...eg...booking accommodations/booking charter(s)...or pre-planning anything else...it's just one more ''inexpensive'' step...

I think the ''problem'' if there is in-fact a problem is that ''some'' divers think they are better than the FQAS Mandataire who they are required to be escorted by...

In my case...the exercise lasted less than 30 minutes...the female Mandataire was a good person...an excellent diver...and we had fun...she was a great guide...she knew Morrison Quarry...which made it all the better as I had no partner...

At the time of my FQAS qualification I had no open circuit gear other then rebreather bailout...I told her I could rent cylinders and regs if she wanted...she told me...no problem...dive with your rebreather...prior to the dive we went over my rebreather...and I reviewed my written pre-dive checklist with her...she did ask me to perform a bailout exercise...which was performed to her liking...I also did mask clearing/leg cramp exercises/buoyancy adjustment...I was wearing my dry-suit...that was about it...no problem...and certainly not a burden...

I find that the non Que. divers that do all the complaining are those who do not have an FQAS Certification Card...

My card will expire this October...they're good for 36 months...re-qualification is then required...as it should be...a little refresher never hurt anyone...in diving...like everything else...aging affects what we are able to continue to do...most fail to realize this...and ignoring the truth is your enemy...not your friend...

W.M...

 

[shoredivr]

So the exercise that you paid $75 for, and lasted 30 minutes, made you a better and safer rebreather diver how? Was the assessor trained on rebreathers to know if your bail out procedure was carried out correctly? If you didn’t already know how to do a rebreather bail out, and a mask clear/leg cramp/ buoyancy adjustment I’m sure you wouldn’t hold a rebreather certification...

What you describe is a cash grab IMO. Glad it was a pleasant experience.

And just like the last time I checked the FQAS website, the English portion has only the contact information, despite having several tabs for things like activities, dive sites, FAQs and so on. The website is not set up to reach out to an English speaking diver. I’ve tried in the past to get somebody to reply to my emails enquiring about getting an FQAS, crickets. I was told a couple of years ago by divers on here that FQAS is run by volunteers and the website would be updated, to be patient waiting for a response , and/or to go through a dive shop in Ottawa for my tax grab experience, I mean FQAS permit. Nothing has changed, and it’s too bad because FQAS IMO is costing much, hindering divers from exploring such beauty, for no real returns.

 

[W W Meixner]

So the exercise that you paid $75 for, and lasted 30 minutes, made you a better and safer rebreather diver how? Was the assessor trained on rebreathers to know if your bail out procedure was carried out correctly? If you didn’t already know how to do a rebreather bail out, and a mask clear/leg cramp/ buoyancy adjustment I’m sure you wouldn’t hold a rebreather certification...

What you describe is a cash grab IMO. Glad it was a pleasant experience.

And just like the last time I checked the FQAS website, the English portion has only the contact information, despite having several tabs for things like activities, dive sites, FAQs and so on. The website is not set up to reach out to an English speaking diver. I’ve tried in the past to get somebody to reply to my emails enquiring about getting an FQAS, crickets. I was told a couple of years ago by divers on here that FQAS is run by volunteers and the website would be updated, to be patient waiting for a response , and/or to go through a dive shop in Ottawa for my tax grab experience, I mean FQAS permit. Nothing has changed, and it’s too bad because FQAS IMO is costing much, hindering divers from exploring such beauty, for no real returns.

SD...

Absolutely nothing to to with becoming better at anything...it was a practice/review...refresher if you will...of what was already known and understood...or should have been known and understood...that's the purpose of the exercise...to confirm what you should already know...

Do you ask a trainer/instructor of...you name it...if they're qualified to train/instruct...you would not have gotten your certification card if they weren't...

This was a personal choice for me for that particular weekend during a family visit...

I'm not suggesting anyone do anything they'd rather not do...nor would I suggest anyone take a chance on diving in Quebec without FQAS certification...

You're in Ontario...if you want to dive Morrison Quarry...and obtain FQAS certification...contact Sharky's in Ottawa...they'll set you up...it's that simple...

Do or do not...your choice...

W.M...