YMCA SLAM Diver

[RedCash02]

Last year I received my SLAM (rescue) certification through an instructor at my school for a very very good price, because he only made members of the scuba club pay the fees that he incurred. I could have gotten it through PADI with him, but it would have cost a good deal more and probably used a crappy book - my 1998 OW manual from PADI is lackluster, at best. I figured the certification card would spell out clearly what SLAM meant or indicate it was a rescue certification, but I was wrong.

I normally use my NAUI AOW card because it's the first one I always seem to pull out of my wallet, but at Ginnie Springs this month I tried to use my SLAM card on the waiver. The girl working there read through it and wouldn't believe it was a rescue certification, so I had to go fill it out again using my AOW card. The next day when I was at Devil's Den I thought of using it again, but saw that YMCA wasn't even listed on the waver and grew more disheartened.

I gained a lot from this class regardless of whether or not anyone will recognize it, but it just makes me angry that I can't use this valid certification from the YMCA in the United States to go diving. Does anyone else even have a YMCA certification and is there any hope for me?

 

[Walter]

A rescue certification from any agency doesn't qualify to to make any particular type of dive. The SLAM class is, IMO, the best "rescue" class generally available. I either use my YMCA Silver Advanced card, my NAUI nitrox card or my YMCA instructor card depending on what I'm trying to accomplish. If I need to make a rescue (I've made lots), I've never had to show my SLAM card. I've yet to have a victim tell me, "No, I don't recognize that card." There's no reason to "use" a rescue card from any agency. The training, yes, the card, no.

 

[jpcpat]

I've never needed my rescue card to go diving, and I can't imagine that you ever will need to. AOW will do for almost everything. If you ever go for a cert that requires rescue (Divemaster, Instructor etc) your SLAM cert will almost certainly be recognized.

As for us PADI Rescue Divers, we cannot rescue non-PADI divers. Actually we're not supposed to be GIVING rescues to even PADI divers. That's against everything they stand for. We are allowed to administer the rescuee diver course, with the proper fees, etc.

 

[RedCash02]

I agree it was a really good course, and the knowledge of how to handle a situation is of paramount importance. I realize it doesn't qualify me for any particular dive, but when I'm going to a new dive location, I'd like to think for a recreational dive any rescue certification should suffice for admission and air fills. I mean I might have been out of luck if I didn't have that NAUI card.

 

[RedCash02]

I'm glad to know agencies such as PADI do recognize it if I ever decide to go farther.

 

[Damselfish]

There's no reason to "use" a rescue card from any agency.

actually there is one, as a spare card. Certainly in the case in the case of PADI, since you have to have AOW to do Rescue. I assume in most agencies it should serve as a spare card for at least OW?

 

[DennisW]

Although I am not SLAM qualified, I only have YMCA certs. I have never had a problem with a shop or location questioning my cert. Including Ginny Springs and the other springs I have dived in North Florida. Just write in YMCA on the form.

 

[Walter]

Although I am not SLAM qualified

We need to correct that oversight.

 

[MB]

Most dive professionals recognize the Y's SLAM as a top notch course, and YMCA training in general as excellent. I'm guessing you got somebody from the "2d shift" at the desk who doesn't know diving... But Walter's point is sound - rescue certification doesn't indicate training at a particular depth and when making advanced dives (caverns, low viz or night dives, deeper reefs and wrecks) those with the keys to the gate want to be sure that you're trained to do it.

 

[RedCash02]

I'm guessing you got somebody from the "2d shift" at the desk who doesn't know diving.

You're probably right.

I'm glad plenty of people on here know about it and respect YSCUBA. The instructor I had through them was definitely top notch.