Specialty Dive

[drivesrf]

Hello. In order to become certified in a specialty (ie. wreck diver, night diver, underwater naturalist, etc) do you require an instructor sign off on it?

 

[Searcaigh]

Absolutely, how would you certified otherwise?

All certifications on specialities require some form of training and this is done through an instructor although some parts may be done online these days.

 

[drivesrf]

My log book has a place to sign for dive buddy, instructor, or dive master

 

[Wookie]

A specialty is a class, with certification card issued. Doesn't really matter who signs your logbook as long as you properly complete the course of instruction and the instructor issues you a cert card.

 

[MegaBMan25]

Correct. In order to get certified for a specialty, you need to have documentation you did a dive, or did it with and instructor, or did so under their "supervision", and completed course work like any other certification. My instructor signed off on them because i had done them with him. Talk to your LDS or whoever you would use as your instructor as to what is Ok and what they accept as acceptable dives toward the specialties. Where i go, there are skills that are necessary to show competency in the environment and understand the special equiment, dangers, etc. to do such dives.

 

[LowDrag]

It's just like your OW cert. You do your class work then (if required) you do your dives. Your instructor and dive buddy signs your log book then you get the cert card (if you pass the course requirements that is). I am not sure but IIRC, I read on here somewhere that Nitrox is a "no dive" specialty but others like Deep or Nav would require dives for the cert.

 

[XS-NRG]

Correct, Nitrox is a no dive specialty. The dives are optional but you still have to go through the course: read book, watch video, or do online training, then there are knowledge reviews plus a final exam. Nitrox also has a practical portion where you analyze tanks etc. The point being is that you still have to do this with an instructor qualified to teach the specialty then have them sign off and issue the card just like any other cert.

 

[SnorkelLA]

Correct, Nitrox is a no dive specialty. The dives are optional but you still have to go through the course: read book, watch video, or do online training, then there are knowledge reviews plus a final exam. Nitrox also has a practical portion where you analyze tanks etc. The point being is that you still have to do this with an instructor qualified to teach the specialty then have them sign off and issue the card just like any other cert.

While this is OT, I still find it very funny that the "Canadian Scuba Diver!" pic in your signature has a diver wearing split fins, legs flailing, almost a 45 degree angle of terrible trim, and a big ole SPG hanging down not clipped off. Is this how all Canadians dive? :rofl:

 

[chrpai]

Correct, Nitrox is a no dive specialty. The dives are optional but you still have to go through the course: read book, watch video, or do online training, then there are knowledge reviews plus a final exam. Nitrox also has a practical portion where you analyze tanks etc. The point being is that you still have to do this with an instructor qualified to teach the specialty then have them sign off and issue the card just like any other cert.

What exactly is the "instructor" teaching then in this example if you are doing online training?

 

[Dive the World]

With AOW it is mostly going through the knowledge review in the book and understanding learning.