PADI Recertification?

[rebies]

Hello all - quick easy question here... I've been diving without a card for a while now. Lost it some years ago, though I've logged 18 hours or so and know what I'm doing fairly well. I got certified back in 1992 by Padi and am wondering if I need to take a refresh course to get my certification card back? (I do still have the validation card with student number, instructor number, etc - imagine that!)

On Padi's website I see a PDF form and $30 processing fee, but don't want to submit that if it's going to require taking another course first. No plans on diving in the next 6 months - so I'm in no rush, but want to have my card handy for the next time I'm on a trip.

Thanks! Good forums here!

 

[WarrenZ]

If you feel comfortable with your diving skills you should be able to send in your application for a new card. PADI uses the log book to show your experience and recent diving activity rather than a recert by date. They recomend however if you havent been diving for 3-6 months or more to take a refresher course but its your call.

 

[rawls]

rebies....
First of all welcome to SB. I'm assuming you were let on dive boats and such since you have your number with you, although I still wonder why charters would have let you dive with out an actual card?
As far as a refresher course, I would definitely take one. I see you have 18 hours. How many dives is that and when was the last time you dived. Generally the recommendation is if you have not been diving for the last year. But it sounds to me like you would definitely benefit from a refresher. Thirty dollars is a small price to pay. Go ahead and take the refresher and pay the $30.00.

 

[rebies]

Thanks for the info guys! I think I'm at somewhere around 40 dives. All on vacation - just as an enthusiast over a good 15 year period. Last time was actually about 18 months ago.

When you say "refresher" are you talking a few hour deal or a full on three day event type thing? Anyway, thats how I recall the original certification being. (but a few weeks maybe)

As for dive shops letting me go - yes, I've been a little surprised too. They usually give a look, and when I had the validation card and they asked a few questions no problem. One shop almost did not let me go, but I simply said "hey, have me calculate my residual nitrogen time." After getting that - they figured "this guy somewhat knows what he is doing." Not that I would go diving on my own or anything! Also, all shops have been outside the US. (Mexico mostly - thus seems more likely to get away with. I don't think I would be let out in Hawaii or Florida.)

 

[rebies]

Actually, just peeked at my log book, 15:10, and more like 30 dives. I guess I missed a few in there. (disappointing.)

 

[Damselfish]

People lose cards and get replacements all the time, PADI's $30 fee is strictly for that. Instead of mailing in the form see if you can do it online, you can generally look yourself up by name and birthdate, fill out the info and upload a picture.

Whether or not you should do a refresher is an entirely separate matter from replacing the card, and does not get you a card. With a relatively low number of dives and 18 month gap, probably a good idea. Seems like they're usually a couple hours in the pool. If you're comfortable the other thing you might consider is doing AOW assuming you never got that. It would be good experience and get you a card.

 

[rebies]

That sounds like exactly what I'll do. Never hurts - plus will be fun anyway. Ya, never got the advanced open water, but would be nice to have as well.

 

[vmf]

Rebies,

Concur with Damselfish.
Get your instructor to refresh your skills in the pool as a prelude to an AOW course.
It is a bit little jumping on a bicycle again after a while not riding...it comes back!
The AOW will also refresh your OW dive theory and introduce you to additional skills and theory.


Regards,

vmf

 

[herman]

Most PADI shops offer a scuba refresher course. It's short, just one day and not expensive. You go over all the skills you learned in OW with an instructor (or DM). It's a chance to practice your skills and get help with ones you may be rusty on. If you have not been diving in a while, it would be worth doing.

 

[fisherdvm]

I would not limit your refresher course to PADI. I did mine with SSI and it was very well done. It would not be a bad thing to see how SSI is different or the same as PADI. For a comparative point of view, I think it might actually be better to do your refresher course with someone other than PADI. I took SSI's course after reviewing my PADI book, and passed with flying color. Therefore, the content couldn't be much different except for the dive tables and some of their basic recommendations.