Will PADI recognize specialities from other C-agencies?

[jar546]

The correct version of the MSD application is: PRODUCT NO. 10142 (Rev. 7/09) Version 2.09

It clearly provides a list for verifying PADI specialties. You can have Rescue or AOW through another organization but the 5 specialties must be PADI

 

[rhwestfall]

 

[DevonDiver]

That application hasn't been updated since 2009. The manual is current. We are taught that the manual and training bulletins are definitive....yes?

Here is exactly what PADI asked me, when I submitted an MSD application for a student (whose Rescue PIC arrived late):

We have received a

MSD application for XXXX XXXX. Unfortunately we are unable to process the MSD certification as we have no record of his Rescue certification on his database. Can you please advise me if you sent in a PIC for this certification.

xxxx xxxx
Supervisor, Certifications
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]__________________________________[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]PADI Asia Pacific[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]The Way the World Learns to Dive^®[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

No mention, or request for, alternative qualifying certifications.

Folks... if we (PADI Instructors) are going to debate this - I'm going to suggest moving the entire back-dated debate into a new thread in the Instructor-to-Instructor forum. That way, we'll agree a clear response and present it back here to reduce the confusion caused to other thread participants/readers. Any objections to that?

 

[Karibelle]

I just called PADI and the training consultant I spoke with agreed with my interpretation. Feel free to move the thread if you like.

 

[Wolfie]

As I was OW with SSI I didn't get the instructions on how t read that certification tree that have on the PADI website. When I signed up for the PADI AOW it seemed as though I was getting the particular specialty certifications. When I hit the course work, the content on the "specialties" was so basic that I was glad to find out I didn't actually get Cards for each of them. It was still unclear to me weather they counted as specialties as far as the master certification goes. (I could have asked my instuctor) Thanks for the clarification.
I don't want to sound like I'm bashing the PADI AOW course. I felt the course work to be rather basic as the design is for someone to take it just as they start diving (less than 24) As I have had a long hiatus from SCUBA that I felt it served my needs as a more advanced skills refresher. It's also nice to have a card that wasn't made on a typewriter.

 

[rhwestfall]

It's also nice to have a card that wasn't made on a typewriter.

That is a true status symbol....... if it doesn't look home made, it wasn't worth it

(when scuba was scuba, men were men..... and the sheep were scared!!!!!)

 

[Scott]

That application hasn't been updated since 2009. The manual is current. We are taught that the manual and training bulletins are definitive....yes?

Yes the manual is correct.

Procedures Verify certification requirements and submit a Master Scuba Diver Application (10142) to your PADI Office.

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification and PADI Rescue Diver certification are required for Master Scuba Diver. If you are submitting qualifying certifications from another organization, you must attach photocopies of the certifications.

The two I have submitted in the last two months were not declined and each had another agency equivalent of rescue.

 

[Peter Guy]

Yet again another example of masterful standards writing.

 

[DevonDiver]

Yes the manual is correct.

The two I have submitted in the last two months were not declined and each had another agency equivalent of rescue.

But... the issue we have here is an inconsistency between the manual and the application form. The 2011 manual says "PADI .....", yet the 2009 application form allows instructors to credit other agency equivalents.

If the latest manual/training bulletin is recognised as the definitive source, then the application form is incorrect. Thus, the matter is (incorrectly?) open to interpretation. It will be interpreted differently by varying instructors...and possibly even by different PADI regional offices.

All that really matters is that students don't part money with an application that is then rejected. So the best advice I would give is for a potential MSD applicant to contact PADI directly (PADI The Way the World Learns to Dive) and get a written confirmation of their eligibility from PADI that can then be attached to their application form.

 

[Rogersea]

PADI's policy is very clear as listed on the application, you can have your AOW or Rescue from other agencies but not the specialties.

I just submitted a students application for MSD. I have not had too many students apply, but those that did have been very competent and active divers. In my opinion there is no ambiguity on what you get when you apply and like Andy said there currently is no cert fee here in Asia.

Cheers,