this may sound stupid

[Iruka]

Hi Scott....at least with PADI (can't speak for any other organization)...an OW diver shouldn't exceed 18m/60 "without additional training or experience." A lot of people forget the "experience" part....experience is achieved by diving, of course. So as you have more experience you should be able to go deeper...the gray area is how much deeper, how soon, etc.

 

[Rick Inman]

but once you get your c-card can you dive anywhere you want in the united states or do you have to go to special places like dive sites to dive? thanx in advance

Actually, there's no law that says you need a C-card at all to dive, but on rare occations, dive shops might ask to see one.
-OPPS! Sorry, I had a Karl attack there for a second. Make sure you DO NOT dive with out C-card. Always attend a weekend PADI course first.

 

[Scott Riemer]

Hi Scott....at least with PADI (can't speak for any other organization)...an OW diver shouldn't exceed 18m/60 "without additional training or experience." A lot of people forget the "experience" part....experience is achieved by diving, of course. So as you have more experience you should be able to go deeper...the gray area is how much deeper, how soon, etc.

I understand. My post was in regards to the statement that seemed to be worded that an O/W diver can't go deeper than 60'. And, my question was really more of a general question to see how many went beyond that depth and how soon. As The Kracken so eloquently stated, there are no SCUBA Police. At least I think that's what was being communicated.

 

[The Kraken]

Exactly, Scott,
We police ourselves, at least those that want to live long, productive lives do. Anyone can dive. If one can purloin the gear, get some air and get to a dive site, he or she can dive. . . no laws against it, other the those of natural selection.
However, once certified, one should endeavor to progress. The progression of which I speak is not only of depth of dives, but also of education and experience.
I'm not the poster child or spokesman for any certifying agency, but it behooves one to learn from the experiences and knowledge of others. That method has been working for a long, long time and I feel certain that it will continue to do so.
Use common sense! Unfortunately that one particular characteristic seems to be falling in the realms of extinction more and more nowadays.
Dive safely.

 

[Scott Riemer]

Well said!

 

[MikeC]

The province of quebec also has some new legislation in that you need a permit to dive there on top of your c-card. There are other places like tobermoray Ontario that need a permit but these things are easily obtainable although they do have a price attached to them

I'm not going to comment on Quebec, never been there, but I did dive Tobermory. The permit at least back in '95 or '96 was a plastic tag that cost some minor price, $5 or $10??? To get it we went to some building, showed our c-cards and agreed to their park rules. You zip tie the permit to a D ring on your BC and you are set. I don't know if the rules changed since.

 

[Absolut]

.......and don't forget to take your buddy :dazzler1:

DITTO to that!!! NEVER dive alone if you can help it!!! I can't think of a reason why one would dive alone, but I'm sure someone will give an example...

My wife and I are getting our AOW this weekend and we want to dive from many beach dives around Sydney that some dive shops don't go to.

You get you certs so you can learn to dive and dive without a shop or boat or club if you want. Just remember to be safe, DIR, and always bring a buddy.