Screwed - OW Cert

[artusor]

Hello All!

I'm new to scuba, just certified (I thought) in March. This is not what I wanted my first post here to be about, but here is my problem.

I contacted a LDS here in Long Island about my OW certification in January, completed my pool work here, and in March went down to Florida with my instructor to complete my checkout dives. I completed the dives without a problem, and received my temporary c-card. In May I was in the US Virgin Islands and took an UW Photography class, and my Advanced OW. This was done with my temporary certification card. My AOW instructor suggested that we contact PADI since he felt that I should already have gotten my permanent card.

I called my OW instructor and was told that he had sent in my forms and he would double check. After not hering anything for a while, I left several messages that were not returned. Finally, this morning I went to another LDS who called PADI. According to PADI my instructor was not in teaching status when he certified me.

I submitted all of the details and PADI indicated that they will have to start a quality control review.

Has anyone seen a similar situation to this one? How was it handled? Is there anything else I can do? Unfortunately the shop that certified me has since closed, so Im afraid I'm screwed. And I just finished planning a dive trip to the Florida keys for next month. Damn!

 

[Kriterian]

I'm sorry to hear about your issues, but I don't think I can help. I'm sure if you explain your difficulties to the Florida trip folks they will be understanding.

I got certified twice myself but that's because I felt like it had been too long since my previous certification to just do a refresher course. Check out the NY dive club and find a new dive shop, and good luck.

 

[gfisher4792]

Definitely not good. I did a little digging on the board for you, and here's a thread that may help a bit: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=58108&page=1&pp=10

I didn't read all the posts in the thread, but demanding your money back is a viable option, but doesn't help with your trip to the keys, though you probably do have enough cause to sue for cost recovery for your time, training and trip plans. Good luck!

 

[ranger]

Since you completed your AOW, did you get the AOW C-Card, our was that put on hold after finding out the instructor was in a non-teaching status?

 

[cmalinowski]

well, I would stop by the LDS and see what they have to say. If you have any kind of relationship with them, then they may be able to figure something out. I mean, they could put your paperwork through on another instructor if you can prove that you can do all of the stuff.

I don't know, but going in guns blazing on the store and threatening to sue out of the gate will get you very little probably. And certainly won't do anything to help with your keys trip.

Good luck and keep us posted. Very sorry for your luck.

 

[artusor]

Since you completed your AOW, did you get the AOW C-Card, our was that put on hold after finding out the instructor was in a non-teaching status?

My AOW instructor is holding on to my paperwork, since it would just get bounced back to him if I don't have BOW. He was going to hold onto it until he hears from me. I do have the temporary AOW card though.

 

[artusor]

Thnaks for your reply, I thought about small claims or something to get the money back, but the shop is out of business now.

The othe probelm is that right now I really don't have the time to either go to court OR retake my OW class. Regardless of what it would cost.

Thannks for digging up that thread though, it was helpfull.

 

[Aquanaut4ata]

That is a heck of a dilemma, especially with the shop out of business. I would go to the instructor (in person) and point out to him that you paid for, worked for, and accomplished the requirements, so he either needs to update his status and take care of business, refund your money, or hook you up with another instructor who will do it right at the original instructor's expense. Either way, he owes you what you paid for.

 

[scubatoys]

Actually your advanced instructor could send it in. Padi would not kick it back... they don't check. How would they know if you had a Naui open water, SSI, YMCA, etc. If the paperwork goes in, they'll print the card.

I know as a Naui Instructor, I can give someone credit for previous experience, so you could simply take the exam, and show you can perform the skills. Perhaps you could have that happen during your trip... try contacting some of the places where you are going and see what they can work out for you.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Agree with Larry. This is not an insurmountable problem. Contact a PADI Course Director near you. You have not one but two temporary certification cards that you've paid for, passed the examinations and requirements for, and have used in good faith. You need to find someone who can rectify the situation with an administrative fix.