Have anyone been turned down for diving because of their certification agency?

[nimoh]

didn't the YMCA program morph into SEI?

...and if I'm not mistaken, if you have a YMCA card, you can get the equivalent SEI card without further training (for a nominal fee of course, lol)

 

[rhwestfall]

I kick myself for never getting the CMAS card. When I first got my YMCA card, it came with the paperwork to get it for free.... When the YMCA stopped its program (I was unaware it was happening as I was out of diving for a few years around that time), the cross over ceased (no reciprocity). I suppose I could get a SEI card, but the others I have now should suffice....

 

[soonerwink]

I always carry my cards and have been asked for them at every shop I have dove with. I did not know that padi dropped tables. I know that ssi dropped tables a few years ago.

I think it is up to each individual shop whether to teach tables or not. I am now a DiveCon for an SSI shop and we still teach tables.

 

[Zeke XA3]

Working in Queensland , Australia, we come across a lot of certification cards that we have never seen before.

We have a list of over 30 other agencies and their equivalents to PADI OW/AOW/Rescue printed out on sheets on the boat. If its not on that list we then do a quick internet search before we get out of phone range.

But some times we have been unable to find anything confirming the training level or depth limits and had to say we cannot accept a card and put them on an intro dive. Even if we dont understand the language you can look for CMAS or ISO logos/text. When we get people from the middle east it gets a little harder, cant even tell if its a scuba card or a film store membership!

People turn up with YMCA/BSAC/FFESSM thinking it may be a problem but they are pretty common these days.

But with no central agency and so many "home grown" agencies what risk would you take, to not upset someone on holiday or risk your staff/divers ??

 

[Rich Keller]

I was almost turned down once when diving at a resort where they had never heard of NASDS until I talked to the manager who knew what it was. When I got home I had a new card issued from SSI who took over NASDS when they went out of business so this would not happen again.

 

[Darkforeboding]

That's a good idea, posting it on a web page so that you can send anyone that needs to see it to the web page. I'd like to try that.

I have a few friends in another organization that routinely have to show membership cards. Their back up is taking a picture of the membership card and storing it on their cell phone.

DFB

 

[Jim Lapenta]

didn't the YMCA program morph into SEI?

...and if I'm not mistaken, if you have a YMCA card, you can get the equivalent SEI card without further training (for a nominal fee of course, lol)

Yes and that's correct. I have done this for a few people whose YMCA card was falling apart. And the fee is only to cover the processing of the card and postage.

---------- Post added February 1st, 2014 at 11:02 AM ----------

I kick myself for never getting the CMAS card. When I first got my YMCA card, it came with the paperwork to get it for free.... When the YMCA stopped its program (I was unaware it was happening as I was out of diving for a few years around that time), the cross over ceased (no reciprocity). I suppose I could get a SEI card, but the others I have now should suffice....

If you want a CMAS card shoot me a message. I am a CMAS 2 star instructor and can handle it for you. Though there are few places where it will make a real difference, But there are some Quebec, France, and some other places I am told in the South Pacific where a CMAS 2 or 3 star diver card is like "oh ok, do whatever you want. See ya later."

 

[Akimbo]

My first card was issued by a Bay Area dive shop in the early 1960s with no affiliation to any organization. It wasn’t a problem in those days since shops and boats didn’t ask. I don't think I ever showed that card to anyone. I had a card issued by my Naval command in the early 1970s, but there were a few people who didn’t know what a saturation diver was. I could get fills and on boats after talking a while, but it was a hassle. Friends gave me NAUI and NASDS cards for convenience.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

I still use my YMCA card from the 70's OW - although I have aged it has never been refused in the Caribbean or the New England area. I guess I was lucky enough to keep it in good enough shape.

 

[Akimbo]

…I also think of a story Bob Meistrell of Body Glove/Dive N Surf told me about a dive trip to the Philippines back in the early 60s. He had forgotten his c-card and was told he couldn't dive…

I understand Hans Hass had a similar problem… Hans Hass of all people!