blackvans1234
Contributor
Ello boys and girls, quick survey here.
Before reading the meat of my post, please vote on the poll
Poll question:
During what type of purchase should a Dive Shop request your C card? (Assuming you're a new face to the shop)
Vote now before you read below!
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So we all know that a diver should be certified in order to dive. The training and skills taught during the certification allows the diver to mitigate the risks of this inherently dangerous sport.
So after my certification in NY, and enduring the squeeze of a 7ml wetsuit and hood, I had done it. I had passed my OW certification class. Amid my Certification class, I purchased a Mares BC/Reg/Octo package online. On the website, I checked the little box that says, "I am certified" At the conclusion of the open water class, my picture was taken, and I looked like a goofball. At 20 years old, I was certified to dive. I got my certification card so instead of just talking the talk, I could walk the walk....Er at least prove I had some formal training. About a month later, and 2 OW dives later (total dives, now 7), I drove the 22ish hours from NY to South Florida. Upon arrival in So. Fl. I meandered on in to a local shop, and purchased an Aluminum 80 [you could find my threads debating buying one or two tanks]and Fill card. After trying to haggle the man behind the counter (didnt work- I'm not happy about that), he rang me up, and I cough up the $260ish dollars. He slapped a sticker or two on that bad boy and I walk out, 35lbs heavier, and $260 lighter.
I believe there is something wrong with this situation. Have you noticed?
I walked into a LDS, bought a tank, and a fill card, paid and left. What is missing from this situation? Proof of certification! After my 400 dollars and 3 Classroom sessions, 4 Pool dives, and 5 OW checkout dives. I didnt even get the satisfaction of having my cert card requested!
I am from NY, so this dive shop was not familiar with me at all, and as a young guy (20 remember?) how could you be so sure I was certified and not going to do something stupid with this high pressure cylinder I wanted to purchase? Was it because I talked the talk? Did I walk the talk? or Talk the walk?
Anyways, I did enter the store and specifically asked about Catalina Aluminum 80's, and may have used a little jargon I learned on this site, but nonetheless, I was not ID'd! (C card wise)
I have also been to other stores, where I have purchased other non life support dive equipment such as: Lionfish tamer, and dive shears. Out of three stores, I have not been ID'd to buy this equipment. I think it was a snowball effect. I got the tank and the dive card, didnt get ID'd (breach of standards here). Upon going to the sister store for fills, and telling them I have a fill card with their sister store, they assume I've already been proofed. While getting my tank filled at this location, I purchase the lionfish tamer. At the store with the dive shears, they knew I have a fill card with their rival store, so I must've been previously carded right?
Before reading the meat of my post, please vote on the poll
Poll question:
During what type of purchase should a Dive Shop request your C card? (Assuming you're a new face to the shop)
Vote now before you read below!
-----------
So we all know that a diver should be certified in order to dive. The training and skills taught during the certification allows the diver to mitigate the risks of this inherently dangerous sport.
So after my certification in NY, and enduring the squeeze of a 7ml wetsuit and hood, I had done it. I had passed my OW certification class. Amid my Certification class, I purchased a Mares BC/Reg/Octo package online. On the website, I checked the little box that says, "I am certified" At the conclusion of the open water class, my picture was taken, and I looked like a goofball. At 20 years old, I was certified to dive. I got my certification card so instead of just talking the talk, I could walk the walk....Er at least prove I had some formal training. About a month later, and 2 OW dives later (total dives, now 7), I drove the 22ish hours from NY to South Florida. Upon arrival in So. Fl. I meandered on in to a local shop, and purchased an Aluminum 80 [you could find my threads debating buying one or two tanks]and Fill card. After trying to haggle the man behind the counter (didnt work- I'm not happy about that), he rang me up, and I cough up the $260ish dollars. He slapped a sticker or two on that bad boy and I walk out, 35lbs heavier, and $260 lighter.
I believe there is something wrong with this situation. Have you noticed?
I walked into a LDS, bought a tank, and a fill card, paid and left. What is missing from this situation? Proof of certification! After my 400 dollars and 3 Classroom sessions, 4 Pool dives, and 5 OW checkout dives. I didnt even get the satisfaction of having my cert card requested!
I am from NY, so this dive shop was not familiar with me at all, and as a young guy (20 remember?) how could you be so sure I was certified and not going to do something stupid with this high pressure cylinder I wanted to purchase? Was it because I talked the talk? Did I walk the talk? or Talk the walk?
Anyways, I did enter the store and specifically asked about Catalina Aluminum 80's, and may have used a little jargon I learned on this site, but nonetheless, I was not ID'd! (C card wise)
I have also been to other stores, where I have purchased other non life support dive equipment such as: Lionfish tamer, and dive shears. Out of three stores, I have not been ID'd to buy this equipment. I think it was a snowball effect. I got the tank and the dive card, didnt get ID'd (breach of standards here). Upon going to the sister store for fills, and telling them I have a fill card with their sister store, they assume I've already been proofed. While getting my tank filled at this location, I purchase the lionfish tamer. At the store with the dive shears, they knew I have a fill card with their rival store, so I must've been previously carded right?
