Refresher or Recertify

[Mike126]

I've been away from diving for ~15 years and I'm getting back into it. I was talking to an LDS today and they suggested that due to the length of time I should probably go through the whole OW course again.

My thought was to take the PADI refresher and buy/read the OW course book again. I dove in the pool last month and felt very comfortable. There was an instructor that was there and he said that I looked ok. Maybe because I was not DOA!

I am certainly not going to do any deep or challenging dives until I have a few shallower dives logged.

Any thoughts?

Mike

 

[cork2win]

Well, my DH has been out of the water for 10+ years and I am still in the middle of my OW class. Obviously my instructor said DH should take the refresher (he never mentioned re-certification). I asked what was involved in the refresher and wasn't impressed. Frankly I think anyone who's competent and comfortable with their skills from previous certification would be bored by the refresher and would waste their money (maybe other refresher courses are different). If you were at all worried or didn't remember anything you learned so long ago I'd say go for the refresher, but if you can just get some time in a pool or shallow quarry or something to get yourself refreshed, I'd think you'd be fine. Of course any LDS is going to tell you you need a refresher course or a recert because they want the money. Take their advice with a grain of salt. I'm learning the hard way that they're not always dispensing advice in the interest of your safety and well-being but more because of money.

 

[cudachaser]

With exception to DM or Instructor all c-cards are good for life...I do many refreshers...I just taylor the refresher to students needs

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Unless you have a large number of dollars stacked in a room somewhere getting dusty, may I suggest an alternative approach?

On one hand, a number of things have in fact changed over the past 15 years or so. On the other, like riding a bike, the basics haven't.

We're nearing the end of this season (in NoVA), although Millbrook will remain open for another month or so and Rawlings generally is available by appointment throughout the winter. The charters will continue to run for the next 3-4 months, but with the hurricane season here they may not be able to get out consistently.

In your position I would simply spend as much time over the next 6-8 months diving as you possibly can. Work with other divers off the board, spend some time on dives run by the local dive shops, etc. Get back into things at your own pace by diving frequently, and doing a lot of reading. Most of the changes are things you can pick up simply by diving with experienced buddies on a consistent basis.

Then if you want to take a class next season (Spring/Summer 2007), take a rescue course.

There are lots of different ways to skin a cat, but I wouldn't retake an OW certification course unless you felt yourself to be dangerous due to lack of knowledge or abilities.

FWIW. YMMV.

Doc

 

[Mike126]

Thanks Doc very sage advice! The room with the money in it is called kids college fund!

 

[ClayJar]

I had someone in my Master class that hadn't been wet for ten years. While I question someone that dessicated being qualified to even take the NAUI Master Scuba Diver course, taking some (wet) course or another to learn something new while refreshing yourself isn't a particularly bad idea. (And as far as courses to take in general, everybody loves rescue.)

 

[herman]

Mike, come join us on NC Divers. We have a bunch of active divers in the area who are diving somewhere most every weekend, many times at Rawlings. Overall we have a better than average bunch of divers and everyone I know of is more than willing to help a new diver or get a dry diver back waterlogged again. There is a link under my sig. We would be happy to have you join us.

 

[Matteo]

After being out of the water for 18 years, I opted to start from scratch and take the OW all over again. Yes, 90% came back to me just like riding a bike. And yes, I probably would have been just fine without it and starting to dive again slowly and conservatively, as you most likely will if you choose this route. But the other 10% that was new or that I had to re-learn was worth every bit of the $200 or so and the time spent. I would recommend taking it again for someone that has been dry as long as you have, but if you are comfortable in the water, a refresher, maybe an advanced or rescue class, and taking it slowly.....you should do just fine. Welcome back to the underwater world!!!!!!

 

[mred]

If you have been back in the pool and you feel comfortable, then go out on an easy dive with someone you trust ... that is basically what the refresher course is about anyway ... I would be bored to tears if I had to re-do the OW class again.....

 

[herman]

If you have been back in the pool and you feel comfortable, then go out on an easy dive with someone you trust ... that is basically what the refresher course is about anyway ... I would be bored to tears if I had to re-do the OW class again.....

Oh I don't know, I have considered taking OW again....well somewhere they don't know me.....You fellers want to teach me to do that there scuber stuff?? The things I can think of doing to some poor instructor.