Twiddles
Contributor
Umm quick question, you said they were a PADI shop and that you had your C-Card. Arent all PADI shops required to accept C-Cards as proof of cert?
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J.R.:Umm...
As your contemplating entering into a contractual arrangement wherein they seem to feel some legal or policy obligation to validate your creditals... I figure that it would only be fair for you to do likewise... therefore I would suggest that you:
1: Ask to see the log books of all diving personel the company is providing on the trip.
2: Ask to see any information the company may have relevant to accidents on their watch.
3: Ask to see their proof of insurance, limits and proof of currancy.
4: Ask to speak to their insurance rep to validate their claims.
Tell them that it is YOUR policy so as to assure yourself of their capabilities and level of qualifications to provide the service they claim to be able to provide. DO NOT ACCEPT electronic or facsimile documents... insist on originals only. Just 'cause it says "PADI" or "SSI" or anything else on the front door isn't PROOF they are what they claim... any you're putting yourself in THEIR hands when you sign up with them... shouldn't you be allowed validation they're qualified???
... just a though...
5: I'd also ask to see maintenance records on any equipment you may rent... service records on the vessel... and a certified copy of the vessel's last safety inspection.
Now... you and I both know you won't get any of this... but it would be fun to see the look on their face. ... and, one has to ask... "Why should I have to prove to you things you expect me to take on faith?"
Hummm....
ReefHound:Talking here about what you could ask or tell the dive shop is fun, but the OP has said he doesn't want to get on their bad side as he may be doing much more diving in the area and they may be the only game in town. So, as much as it's wrong in principle, it may be most strategic to just pay the $20 for the checkout and move on.
You could always deduct it out of their would-be tips later.
Nautical Dreamer:So I met another DM the following morning and talked about getting out on a boat trip with them. I showed them my C-card and explained my dive history. They had me fill out some paper work and release forms and told me to keep my out for them in the afternoon. They were going to teach a lesson in the pool and then take the group out for their OW dive. They were very professional and made no mention of the requirement to see a log book.
As it ended I got an offer I could not refuse that took up my entire morning. By the time I returned to the resort I watched the boat depart from the dock. It was probally for the best since the boat only went out a few hundred yards from the shore right infront of the resort. It saved me $50 on a crappy dive. I ended up putting on mask and free diving right in the same area as the boat.