PADI OW again

[BDunnHD]

About 1.5 years ago I enrolled in a PADI open water course. I completed all but the last two open water dives. After completion of the first two dives the instructor informed us that we were now Scuba Diver certified. Due to a motorcycle accident I was unable to complete the last two OW dives within one year of the initial OW dive. I was told by the dive shop I now need to retake the entire course because I exceeded one year between dives.
Although I was told Scuba Diver level had been acheived, nothing was ever issued because the plan was to certify OW.
My question is have I been given the correct information? Also why does the one year time line exisit if once you receive your OW card it is good indefinately?

Thank you

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

If this is the same dive shop as before, and if they agree that you were told you had completed Scuba Diver, they could submit a "lost paperwork" cert, dated the proper date, and then based on you being a Scuba Diver you would "theoretically" only need to complete the second half of the Academics (if not completed before, or maybe even if completed before) second half of Confined Water (if not or maybe even if...) and OW dives 3 & 4.

There would probably have to be a final exam, perhaps quiz #4 and for sure a review in CW of all skills prior to the beginning CW session #4 skills.

 

[ScubaDocER]

I am confused. If the requirement to become certified as an ow diver under PADI is that you complete at least 4 OW dives, and you have only completed 2, then how could they tell you that you were Scuba Diver certified? Or does that have a different meaning than being certified as an open water diver?

 

[k ellis]

I am confused. If the requirement to become certified as an ow diver under PADI is that you complete at least 4 OW dives, and you have only completed 2, then how could they tell you that you were Scuba Diver certified? Or does that have a different meaning than being certified as an open water diver?

Padi Scuba Diver, and Open Water diver are not the same. The Padi Scuba Diver permits you to dive with a professional and only to a maximum of maybe 40 feet (Correct me if I am wrong guys)

The problem with the class being 1 year though is when you demonstrate all the skills you are released after the 4th successful open water dive as you have completed all your skills.

If you have not demonstrated your skills their is a popular belief that if not demonstrated in 1 year that you may not have retained what was in the course. Its more of a liability thing I would assume to where if your on your training dive and something happens they can say you should have known better you just read the book within the last 12 months.

 

[Ste Wart]

About 1.5 years ago I enrolled in a PADI open water course. I completed all but the last two open water dives. After completion of the first two dives the instructor informed us that we were now Scuba Diver certified. Due to a motorcycle accident I was unable to complete the last two OW dives within one year of the initial OW dive. I was told by the dive shop I now need to retake the entire course because I exceeded one year between dives.
Although I was told Scuba Diver level had been acheived, nothing was ever issued because the plan was to certify OW.
My question is have I been given the correct information? Also why does the one year time line exisit if once you receive your OW card it is good indefinately?

Thank you

If you paid for the course and had achieved all the performance requirements for Scuba Diver then they should have issued you the certification.
Your motorcycle accident has nothing to do with this. If they took the money off you for the course then they are at fault.
Go back demand your SD cert. Then take the upgrade for OW.

 

[ScubaDocER]

Padi Scuba Diver, and Open Water diver are not the same. The Padi Scuba Diver permits you to dive with a professional and only to a maximum of maybe 40 feet (Correct me if I am wrong guys)

The problem with the class being 1 year though is when you demonstrate all the skills you are released after the 4th successful open water dive as you have completed all your skills.

If you have not demonstrated your skills their is a popular belief that if not demonstrated in 1 year that you may not have retained what was in the course. Its more of a liability thing I would assume to where if your on your training dive and something happens they can say you should have known better you just read the book within the last 12 months.

Thank you sir. That clears it up.

 

[explorer08]

Although I was told Scuba Diver level had been acheived, nothing was ever issued because the plan was to certify OW.

I guess that is the key point. They told you that you are on the level of a Scuba Diver, which I guess was correct so far, but they didn't certify you as Scuba Diver because what you have booked was an Open Water Diver course and they expected you to be back in time to complete the course within the given timeframe.
Now unfortunately your convalescence took longer than the given timeframe. So the information given is correct.

Also why does the one year time line exisit if once you receive your OW card it is good indefinately?

That's a question you should ask PADI. They set the rules and at least they recommend a refresher after a period of nondiving for 6 months or more.

But to be honest, after some academic sessions, several pool sessions, 2 open water dives and than a break of about 1.5 years it is reasonable to assume that you are back quite close to the very beginning. So if I not would be your initial instructors I simply would stick to the letters of my standards.
If I would be your inital instructor, who has done all the previous training with you, who knows about your personal situation (and who may hope to keep you as a customer ) I would try to find a way to help you while just "interpreting" my standards a bit. As far as I understood your original posting, you've completed all academic sessions including the final exam as well as all confined water sessions. So probably I would have you to redo the final exam and I would do a confined water session with you, with a repetition of all skills. Depending on the results I would determine if you need any more retraining or if you are ready for open water. And if I find that you are ready for open water I would have you to do all 4 open water dives.

 

[oreocookie]

Perhaps they'd let you sit in on the full OW course for the price of a refresher or a Scuba Diver to OW upgrade? If it's the same shop you originally started with, I imagine they'd probably still have your training records and can see what you've done, but I have no idea how long they'd have to keep records for an incomplete class. If they don't have the records or it's not the same shop, you're probably out of luck. Experience-wise, it might be a good idea to do the course again anyway.

 

[Rogersea]

Sorry to hear about your predicament, Not to rub salt in the wound, but as a warning to others in a similar situation:
If you know your going to be delayed, speak with the Dive Center/Instructor as there are ways to extend the time frame. I'm a little surprised the instructor did not attempt to contact you to find out what was going on and let you know your options.

Cheers