chrpai
Contributor
I was recently deciding between SDI and PADI for my Solo / SRD class. My PADI SRD instructor (Robert Weiss) also held the SDI cert and was very ethical in suggesting that I check out SDI first and make sure I'm comfortable with the PADI card's acceptance in the industry.
So I decided to just ask the crew of various boats that I might want to solo dive one day. Below are their perspectives. I've removed their names to protect the innocent but these are boats you've no doubt heard of. I was quite impressed with the amount of thought that went into their replies.
Boat Op 1:
I hadn’t heard of this specialty, so I did a little research. PADI didn’t list it under there specialty offerings, but a search of their site brought up a shop in the Red Sea that offered it. It said that it trained people to dive independently under the buddy system. This sounded like double talk so I called PADI. They said it trained people to dive solo so they would be ok if they got separated from their buddy. I asked them if this meant they weren’t allowed to dive solo and they said no, they weren’t saying whether or not they could dive solo, but if they did, they were trained to do it. I then called our insurance company and they said they didn’t like solo diving , but the policy says they can dive the way they were trained. So to answer your question, if you have this specialty you are trained to dive solo and can do that on our boats.
Boat Op 2: (Initial Reaction)
PADI’s stance on solo diving has been clear. At least to this point, they do not advocate or train for diving without a buddy. It seems that the Self Reliant Diver distinctive specialty may be a move in that direction, but the course is not a “solo diver” course. It provides training that enhances a diver’s ability to better manage situations such as a lost buddy, a buddy that is too far away to assist, or a buddy who lacks the training or experience to deal with a particular emergency.
(Our) policy requires divers to dive in buddy teams unless they are certified and equipped for solo diving. At this time, the PADI Self Reliant Diver course does not meet our requirements for planned solo diving.
Boat Op 2: (Follow up Reaction)
After our conversation, I contacted PADI and got a copy of the Self Reliant Diver outline and ask them about the intent of this course. I found that the course outline has many caveats and a whole section on the merits of the buddy system, but the bottom line is it DOES qualify the certification holder to dive independently. Based on these facts, we would allow a diver with this certification and the proper equipment to dive solo. However, the Captain has the right to limit or prohibit solo diving based on safety considerations such as sea conditions, diver ability/experience in the offshore environment, etc.
In the end, I went with the PADI SRD course because I've been around Robert on his boat enough that we know who each other are as divers and I felt he'd be a good instructor. Based on where I'm likely to dive, the SRD card should be good to go. YMMV.
PADI is walking a fine line with their position, but I kinda get it. After all, my next class will likely be a DIR-F or primer. Team diving and Solo Diving... whatever makes me a better diver and gives me the opportunity to dive as much as possible.
So I decided to just ask the crew of various boats that I might want to solo dive one day. Below are their perspectives. I've removed their names to protect the innocent but these are boats you've no doubt heard of. I was quite impressed with the amount of thought that went into their replies.
Boat Op 1:
I hadn’t heard of this specialty, so I did a little research. PADI didn’t list it under there specialty offerings, but a search of their site brought up a shop in the Red Sea that offered it. It said that it trained people to dive independently under the buddy system. This sounded like double talk so I called PADI. They said it trained people to dive solo so they would be ok if they got separated from their buddy. I asked them if this meant they weren’t allowed to dive solo and they said no, they weren’t saying whether or not they could dive solo, but if they did, they were trained to do it. I then called our insurance company and they said they didn’t like solo diving , but the policy says they can dive the way they were trained. So to answer your question, if you have this specialty you are trained to dive solo and can do that on our boats.
Boat Op 2: (Initial Reaction)
PADI’s stance on solo diving has been clear. At least to this point, they do not advocate or train for diving without a buddy. It seems that the Self Reliant Diver distinctive specialty may be a move in that direction, but the course is not a “solo diver” course. It provides training that enhances a diver’s ability to better manage situations such as a lost buddy, a buddy that is too far away to assist, or a buddy who lacks the training or experience to deal with a particular emergency.
(Our) policy requires divers to dive in buddy teams unless they are certified and equipped for solo diving. At this time, the PADI Self Reliant Diver course does not meet our requirements for planned solo diving.
Boat Op 2: (Follow up Reaction)
After our conversation, I contacted PADI and got a copy of the Self Reliant Diver outline and ask them about the intent of this course. I found that the course outline has many caveats and a whole section on the merits of the buddy system, but the bottom line is it DOES qualify the certification holder to dive independently. Based on these facts, we would allow a diver with this certification and the proper equipment to dive solo. However, the Captain has the right to limit or prohibit solo diving based on safety considerations such as sea conditions, diver ability/experience in the offshore environment, etc.
In the end, I went with the PADI SRD course because I've been around Robert on his boat enough that we know who each other are as divers and I felt he'd be a good instructor. Based on where I'm likely to dive, the SRD card should be good to go. YMMV.
PADI is walking a fine line with their position, but I kinda get it. After all, my next class will likely be a DIR-F or primer. Team diving and Solo Diving... whatever makes me a better diver and gives me the opportunity to dive as much as possible.
