Padi referral to Non-Padi OW instructor?

[nerdygirl]

Hi Guys

My husband and I are new to scuba and have decided to take classes in Manhattan, before we head to Andros in the Bahamas, We’re going to a resort that I believe has a Naui instructor (www.androsdiving.com).

Now, we are taking Padi lessons. The diver in Andros told us to bring a Universal Referral form, but the Padi shop said that they don’t issued Universal referrals. However they think the guy in Andros should be able to accept a Padi referral form, but that he would certify us as Naui.

Can anyone confirm this? I don’t mind being Naui or Padi certified, as they both seem to be reputable, but I’d like to know how I go about getting certified!

Many thanks

NG

 

[Walter]

Nope. It doesn't work that way. A PADI referral is only good for a PADI check out instructor. You need to either take a class from one of the agencies that participates in universal referral (YMCA, NAUI, SSI, PDIC, or IDEA) or go to a PADI instructor for your check out dives.

 

[Bubble Junky]

Check with NAUI. I know it works the other way. You'd still have to do the skills one more time in the pool, which is a good idea after a wee break anyway. Also you'd have to do the quizzes or the exam.

 

[cerich]

You'll end up with 5 dives instead of Padi's 4 The instructor should also teach you a few skills that the PADI course does not teach (mostly related to rescue and dive planning) He/she will want to review all your skills in confined water and have you write a quick test.

When done you'll have a NAUI certification

Best,

Chris

NAUI Course Director and Rep for Cayman

 

[abysmaldiver]

Dont do it. I am a Padi instructor. Two of my students took a referral to a Naui instructor that told them he could certify them in Bimini. He took their money, did not complete the open water dives to any agency standards, then sent them home with nothing but a worthless piece of paper that would not get them a card. Stick with any one agency all the way thru.

 

[cerich]

Dont do it. I am a Padi instructor. Two of my students took a referral to a Naui instructor that told them he could certify them in Bimini. He took their money, did not complete the open water dives to any agency standards, then sent them home with nothing but a worthless piece of paper that would not get them a card. Stick with any one agency all the way thru.

Then NAUI sucks overall because one instructor violated the standards and ethics. I've never seen a PADI instructor do the same....more than once a day anyhow.

Did you do the responsible thing and contact NAUI?

Tell ya what, you PM me who this instructor was and I'll start an ethics complaint and investigation.

 

[nerdygirl]

Okay, I emailed the instructor in Andros and he said that he can accept the "Padi Universal referral form" He said he believes we will have a choice of NAUI or PADI.

He can process our referral himself and give us a NAUI Cert. or he can sign off on the dives, and we take the Forms back with us and get a PADI Cert.

So does that mean a Naui instructor can sign off a Padi referral and we can take the forms back to the original place and get PADI certified? Is this correct? I guess I should check with the original Padi place.... )

 

[Walter]

No. With PADI, the instructor who does the 4th check out dive is the certifying instructor. What your NAUI instructor will do is bring you up to NAUI standards with regard to classroom and pool, then administer the NAUI checkout dives. You'll get a NAUI card. It's a better way to go, IMO, anyway.

 

[cerich]

Okay, I emailed the instructor in Andros and he said that he can accept the "Padi Universal referral form" He said he believes we will have a choice of NAUI or PADI.

He can process our referral himself and give us a NAUI Cert. or he can sign off on the dives, and we take the Forms back with us and get a PADI Cert.

So does that mean a Naui instructor can sign off a Padi referral and we can take the forms back to the original place and get PADI certified? Is this correct? I guess I should check with the original Padi place.... )

Could you PM me the instructors info. he seems pretty off base.

 

[Sideband]

Could you PM me the instructors info. he seems pretty off base.

How so? I know it works exactly that way with a NAUI universal ref. going to a PADI instructor. My Girlfriend just did this 2 months ago. She had the option of him sending in for a PADI card or she could (and did) take the signed forms back to our LDS and they sent for a NAUI card.

Joe