PADI: Turn around time on c-cards

[mikemill]

So for christmas I got my brother an aow and nitrox class package. Due to his and the LDS schedules he won't be able to do it until April. The last dive is on April 19th. Assuming the LDS promptly mails in the paperwork can he expect to get the cards back before we leave for Roatan on May 9th? The main worry would be the nitrox card so we can get the fills.

Thanks all

 

[Jim Lapenta]

If they can submit his info on line it should not be a problem meeting your deadline. You need to make sure they do it though. My old instructor used to wait till he had a batch of them to submit and he'd do them like every two weeks or so. That caused problems for a few people. You should also be able to get a temporary card. Do they still do that though for things above OW? I'm not sure. If they submit on line the LDS can print out a receipt I believe.

 

[mikemill]

Thanks. When we get to that point (I'll probably take the nitrox class at the same time if I don't get the urge to do it sooner) we'll talk to the LDS to make sure they do it.

 

[masterof0]

Keep in mind, when your instructor fills out the PIC to send in to PADI, there is a temporary card the (s)he will fill out that validates your completion of hte course (It is attached to the PIC). This card is good for either 30 or 90 days, so in the event you do not receive your card in a timely manner, you can use the temp card as proof for OW or Nitrox certification completion.

 

[rstofer]

I would try to break out the Nitrox portion. It is a one night program where the student shows up with the Knowledge Reviews complete. Figure a long weekend to do the work. Three hours for the classroom, test and gas analysis portion.

You might be able to find an instructor that will teach the course to a single student. Ask the LDS. Sure, it's going to cost a little more.

PADI might be able to do the card that fast. First, your brother can mail the PIC card using any method he wishes, there is no requirement that the instructor mail the card. Overnight is good. PADI is pretty quick with processing (so I believe having worked with PADI on another matter) and will probably ship the card in 3 or 4 days. Then it's snail mail back to your brother.

Second, your brother will have the temporary card that is given at the end of the class. You can check with the resort but there should be no problem with them honoring the temporary card. Well, I guess there could be but there isn't around here.

Call PADI and see what they say. They have expedited handling on replacement cards, there may be a plan for new cards as well. Yes, it is at additional cost.

Which shop are you using?

Richard

 

[rstofer]

Thanks. When we get to that point (I'll probably take the nitrox class at the same time if I don't get the urge to do it sooner) we'll talk to the LDS to make sure they do it.

It wouldn't surprise me if you could get the LDS to offer a special Nitrox class for the two of you.

The thing about the combined AOW/Nitrox course is that they aren't combined at all. Around here there's no special discount. It's just a marketing thing.

As I posted above, Nitrox is a one evening class. There are no dives required. It is combined with AOW just because it can be. That, and the AOW student might want to use Nitrox for the AOW checkout dives. But AOW is also offered without the Nitrox and, from time to time, you see Nitrox without the AOW.

I took the Nitrox course separately. In fact, I was the only student due to a glitch in the paperwork. My wife and son-in-law took the Nitrox portion of the combined course last night. They will be doing the AOW dives this weekend. The AOW classroom portion was Monday night.

Richard

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

If its an LDS, they can do the pic online, and the card gets to them in 2 weeks....assuming they do it right away. This also spits out a temp card immediately. If its an independent, they have to do the paperpic which takes longer...but still gets a temp card.

SDI actually is selling card printers to LDSs so they can print them on the spot....

 

[mikemill]

Which shop are you using?

Dolphin Scuba up here in Sacramento. Though the gift card to pay for it should work in the Stockton location also.

 

[rstofer]

Dolphin Scuba up here in Sacramento. Though the gift card to pay for it should work in the Stockton location also.

Talk to Mitch. He taught the class in the Stockton store last night but he from the Sacramento store. I also took the Equipment Specialist course from him a while back. He turned me on to the AquaLung SolaFX one piece wetsuit. I like it a LOT.

Richard

 

[Sharkbait60]

The store can also do a pre-registration either online or by paper pic and have your finished card available for you right when you complete the course.