Questions for OWD instructors

[Digg]

Hi,

I'm curious about SSI procedure to issue OWD certifications since I've heard it's different from CMAS and other agencies and every paperwork got replaced by internet.

1 - Do instructors directly issue certifications or are only shops allowed to do so?
2 - Do plastic certifications still exist? Are they given to the student directly or thru shops/instructors having SSI print and mail them?
3 - Are replacement certification cards still issued directly to the student or again thru shops only?
4 - How are online logbooks signed and how to check if they've been signed and by whom?
5 - Are logged dives switchable to and from other agencies?
6 - Is there a time frame to get a certification after which dives already done void and need to start over all them?

Thank you

Digg

 

[rick00001967]

i can only speak for how our dive center does it.
instructors can issue certs but our store staff handles all the admin work. we just teach.
digital cert cards are always issued. the real plastic cards need to be ordered and cost extra.
we have all our students cards sent to the dive center. we call the student. they come pick it up.
not sure what you mean by "are logged dives switchable" ?
yes there is a time limit for certs. the details can be found in the ssi standards. but all ow dives must be done within 6 months. if longer than 6 months then the instructor must do a re-evaluation of skill and knowledge to decide if student can move forward. if more than a year, a complete "scuba update" must be done and a cert for this must be issued thru ssi

 

[Digg]

I see, thank you.
Can digital certs be withdrawn if you change your mind or in extreme situations?

If all dives are completed within 6 months but you don't issue a cert, will the scuba update have to start all over and include 6 additional dives?

Thanks

 

[tursiops]

OP, you appear to have a specific instance and issue in mind, and are talking around it. Therefore, you may not be asking the right questions. It is like being a consultant: you want the customer to say what the problem is, not what he thinks the solution is.

So, what is your problem?

 

[Digg]

I fear my certification may be withdrawn after being issued if I change shop.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Why would you fear that? You do not owe any shop any loyalty. They work for you. You hired them to teach you to dive. They are your employee. If you are getting that feeling from your current shop I'd advise talking to them. If they give you any crap talk to a lawyer and sue them for breach of contract.

 

[rick00001967]

I fear my certification may be withdrawn after being issued if I change shop.

i think maybe you misunderstand how this all works. once you are certified by ssi (or padi, sdi, or whoever) the dive shop you trained with cannot change that. a lot of divers train with one shop then dive with another or do more more training with another. it happens all the time. if you are afraid they will cancel your certification because you no longer deal with them....relax. not gonna happen.

 

[rick00001967]

If all dives are completed within 6 months but you don't issue a cert, will the scuba update have to start all over and include 6 additional dives?
Thanks

this should never happen. your dive shop is required to process your certification within 7 days of you completing the course requirements

 

[Digg]

I know I paid them but I also signed an agreement covering their ***, lawyers may eventually sort stuff out but at that price I'd rather give up certs and diving altogether than spill out court cash and whatnot.

It's one of those behind the lines thing, of course such people cannot do it under the sun but since people come in all shapes, if they can bite me back without anyone noticing, they would.

Thanks rick00001967, are you sure they don't have a time frame within which they can withdraw a digital certification?
I mean...after all isn't it just *click*, *click*...?

 

[rick00001967]

like tursiops and jim say.....it sounds like something specific is going on. i am assuming you went through a course and paid for it but the shop has either not issued the cert (which they are not allowed to do) or you have a bad relationship for some reason with them now and you are afraid they will cancel your cert. this cannot happen.
if you feel more comfortable, why not send a private message and explain exactly what happened and maybe one of us could help you.