PADI class, SSI cert possible?

[donooo]

"we don't have a way to make the reg free flow".

Would like some hard data on this from a qualified SSI instructor on what is the requirement of SSI OW student.

Ok, I am with you, let's wait for a "qualified" SSI instrutor. As an assistant instructor I carry no weight.

While we are at it shall we go thru the book and find all of the other adventures that are not covered. Does it mention mask on forehead or tank unattended or point the SPG away from you ?

I liked the original topic and felt it was an intelligent thread. Sorry it turned into another agency "deal".

 

[fisherdvm]

Ok, I am with you, let's wait for a "qualified" SSI instrutor. As an assistant instructor I carry no weight.

While we are at it shall we go thru the book and find all of the other adventures that are not covered. Does it mention mask on forehead or tank unattended or point the SPG away from you ?

I liked the original topic and felt it was an intelligent thread. Sorry it turned into another agency "deal".

All agencies have weaknesses and plusses. If I find a deficiency in one, I would point it out. There must be a written guideline in a DM or instructor's manual. This is easy to correct deficiency. I actually like to point the spg at my buddies. Be really cool to see glass projectiles hitting their buttocks. My favorite mask position is on the forehead, I am always in distress.

 

[KrisB]

As an example, Force-E in S. Florida has both SSI & PADI instructors. I believe they would certify to either agancy but call to make sure.

FWIW, they had no problem switching my daughter's PADI junior OW to SSI OW when she reached the proper age if we wanted.

If you had simply contacted a PADI shop, they would have upgraded your daughter's PADI Jr. OW to a "normal" PADI OW for the price of the replacement card (~$25).

I believe you could have also just contacted PADI directly for that upgrade.

If they issued an SSI card without evaluating her in the water, I would suspect that they violated SSI standards... either that or the SSI standards are exceptionally lax.

As for PADI instructors "taking the easy road" -- remember that we can receive PADI referrals (read: referrals from active PADI instructors) at *any* stage, as long as they've done something towards it in the last 12 months and take them through to certification without re-evaluation. It's only when referrals come from instructors of different agencies when we need to evaluate their skills in the pool and academic settings.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I think I'd want to see their skills no matter what. :14:

 

[KrisB]

I think I'd want to see their skills no matter what. :14:

Suit yourself. Personally, I'm going to see their skills in OW before they're certified... which is sufficient for my evaluation. While some of the skills are different in OW than CW, they're not different enough to be of issue... unless we're talking about a different agency's CW.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

If they issued an SSI card without evaluating her in the water, I would suspect that they violated SSI standards... either that or the SSI standards are exceptionally lax.

By definition, Universal Referral certs are issued by instructors who do not participate in the final OW dive (usually none of the OW dives). Since many SSI OW certs have been issued by instructors who did not dive in the OW with the students, it seems consistant to cross-over / upgrade from PADI Jr OW to SSI OW without diving. As stated before, could have upgraded to PADI OW online, without evaluating her in the water.

As for PADI instructors "taking the easy road" -- remember that we can receive PADI referrals (read: referrals from active PADI instructors) at *any* stage, as long as they've done something towards it in the last 12 months and take them through to certification without re-evaluation. It's only when referrals come from instructors of different agencies when we need to evaluate their skills in the pool and academic settings.

PADI instructors only have to evaluate academics and confined skills if a PADI cert is being issued. If the student is just looking for a Universal Referral, all that is required is to do the Open Water dives, log them and sign the referral paperwork. There are some OW skills which are specific to each agency (ie. PADI's fin piviot and hovering), so it is far from a perfect system.

 

[KrisB]

Right, sorry... I should have quoted. I was replying to this:

Originally Posted by rakkis
In order for a PADI cert to be issued within standards, he'll need to take the PADI final exam and demonstrate mastery in all 18 confined water skills as defined by PADI, as well as demonstrate the PADI required OW skills.

Sounds like alot of folks are cutting corners, eh?

By definition, Universal Referral certs are issued by instructors who do not participate in the final OW dive (usually none of the OW dives). Since many SSI OW certs have been issued by instructors who did not dive in the OW with the students, it seems consistant to cross-over / upgrade from PADI Jr OW to SSI OW without diving.

True -- though there's paperwork to say that the UR guidelines were met, and (presumably) that instructor worked with the student at some point during their training (KD or CW). I'm curious if SSI would allow a simple crossover simply by filing paperwork.

I guess the other thing I was trying to point out was that the upgrade to a "full" PADI OW only costs the same as a replacement card once the diver is 15 years old. I imagine (thought don't *know*) that the shop in question would probably want a bit more than $25 to upgrade and crossover the diver to SSI.