Referral question regarding my former instructor

[bookymad]

Ok, anyway, if you saw my previous posts, you'd obviously know that I didn't complete my OW dives and so on. So slowly working my way back to the "fitness" level and whatnot.

I may go to Cozumel in December, and it is among the top five for dive sites.

Since I've technically completed the classwork, and pool sessions, I can just do a referral and complete my OW dives out at Cozumel, right?

Here's the thing, I have no clue how the instructors are paid, and my instructor that I had through my PADI class is seriously among the nicest guy you could ever meet. I don't know how this whole process would affect his "payment" or whatnot.

I know for a fact that whoever certificated you, his/her name would come on your C-card, right? Not sure how this is exactly relevant, but just wondering what does this mean for the instructor as well.

Look, bottom line, I know that I'm going to do whatever I want to do, but I also care about people getting paid. So, how does this affect my instructor's "salary" or whatnot? Since he's not the one who did my OW if I do it out at Cozumel. Or was he already paid by the virtue of the fact that I enrolled in his class? Even though I never technically completed my OW dives?

Just wondering. TIA for any answers.

 

[gomi_otaku]

Some instructors or agencies charge a "referral fee". You need pay them, they give you the paperwork that says you did the classes and the pool work so you can prove it for your OW dives. Then they sign you off on your dives, and your C-card comes from the original instructor. At least that's how my instructor was set up, if anyone was not doing the OW dives with his group.
gomi_

 

[bookymad]

Oh, ok. So, Sport Chalet may charge me an extra fee for the paperwork. Aside from that, I don't need to be concerned about my instructor, right? He may get that money from that extra charging, or not?

How does an instructor get money anyway? By the count of heads of students in their classes? Or by the fact they certified the students. Which by your answer, he'll still get the "credit", right?

TIA.

 

[alcina]

Every shop pays the instructors differently. Some have a per head, some pay a percentage of the course fee, some pay a wage or salary. I understand that you are concerned, but I would have to think that the instructor had been paid for his/her time OR knew that going in and agreed to those terms. Basically, I wouldn't worry about it.

Note that the fee you paid for your course will not cover the parts of the course that you do not do with that shop. So when in Cozumel (or wherever) you will pay another fee to the operation to complete your course and certification.

The certifying instructor receives the "credit" for the student from his/her certifying agency. Again, this is such a small thing that I wouldn't worry - it will likely even out when he/she gets a referral student in

 

[bookymad]

Right. Ok. Thanks!

Bookymad

 

[neil]

Oh, ok. So, Sport Chalet may charge me an extra fee for the paperwork. Aside from that, I don't need to be concerned about my instructor, right? He may get that money from that extra charging, or not?

How does an instructor get money anyway? By the count of heads of students in their classes? Or by the fact they certified the students. Which by your answer, he'll still get the "credit", right?

TIA.

Your instructor should know how to get paid for any work he did with you; you needn't worry about it. You should not have to pay anything extra for referral papers. They consist of copies of your record folder and medical form, maybe a signed logbook. If you have any problems, PM me and I'll try to help you out.

 

[bookymad]

Thanks Neil for your kind offer. Will PM you if I do run into any problems, unlikely that may be.

Just a wee question though, when you say that a "signed logbook", that kind of confused me a bit.

Logbooks are records of your first OW dives, oui? So, if I'm doing it elsewhere away from the place that I originally enrolled in, how would I have a "signed logbook" beforehand?

Do you get my question?

TIA.

 

[alcina]

The log books we use with students have the confined water training (and theory etc) in them, too

 

[bookymad]

Guess it varies from place to place. We didn't put our confined water training stuff in our logbooks.

Thanks for answering the question though.

Bookymad

 

[alcina]

Then you will need a copy of your Student Record File - on the back there's a whole ton of stuff that your instructor, and you, should have initialled/signed.