Free of charge license for instructors

[ontdiver]

Yes, it seems very simple.

... it makes me wonder about the acceptance of IFDI by those who wish to see cert cards.

That's my question as well. If this is only accepted on a regional basis, it presents challenges for those who become certified and hope to travel, say, to Egypt where it may have limited exposure.

 

[lowwall]

I suspect dive ops will do what they do when faced with any unfamiliar certification agency: talk to the diver, ask to see a logbook and/or insist on a checkout dive.

Seriously, how many of these agencies from the Wikipedia list of recreational dive agencies do you recognize? And this is just the ones that start with the letter A.

• ACDC - Associazione CMAS Diving Centre Italia CMAS code ITA/F07[1]

• ACUC - American Canadian Underwater Certifications – Recreational diver training and certification agency [2][3][4]

• AED - Associated European Divers CMAS code INT/F09[1]

• AFUS - Armenian Federation of Underwater Sports CMAS code ARM/F00[1]

• Albatros Progetto Paolo Pinto CMAS code ITA/F14[1]

• AMCQ - Association des Moniteurs de la CMAS du Quebec CMAS code CAN/F05[1]

• ANDI - American Nitrox Divers International – Recreational diver training and certification agency, also ANDI International[5]EUF CB 2005005[6][7]

• ANIS - Associaziona Nazionale Istruttori Subacquei CMAS code ITA/F08[1]

• APT - Antincendio Prevencione Tecnologia CMAS code ITA/F05[1]

• ASD Acqua Team CMAS code ITA/F04[1]

• ASI - Alleanza Sportiva Italiana Divisione Subacquea CMAS code ITA/F11[1]

• AUF - Australian Underwater Federation – The governing body for underwater sports in Australia CMAS code AUS/F00[1]

• AUSI - Associated Underwater Scuba Instructors (formerly Australian Underwater Scuba Instructors)[8][9]

 

[ontdiver]

Seriously, how many of these agencies from the Wikipedia list of recreational dive agencies do you recognize? And this is just the ones that start with the letter A.

Wow. That's what I like about SB: you learn something each and every day.

 

[tursiops]

I suspect dive ops will do what they do when faced with any unfamiliar certification agency: talk to the diver, ask to see a logbook and/or insist on a checkout dive.

Seriously, how many of these agencies from the Wikipedia list of recreational dive agencies do you recognize? And this is just the ones that start with the letter A.

• ACDC - Associazione CMAS Diving Centre Italia CMAS code ITA/F07[1]

• ACUC - American Canadian Underwater Certifications – Recreational diver training and certification agency [2][3][4]

• AED - Associated European Divers CMAS code INT/F09[1]

• AFUS - Armenian Federation of Underwater Sports CMAS code ARM/F00[1]

• Albatros Progetto Paolo Pinto CMAS code ITA/F14[1]

• AMCQ - Association des Moniteurs de la CMAS du Quebec CMAS code CAN/F05[1]

• ANDI - American Nitrox Divers International – Recreational diver training and certification agency, also ANDI International[5]EUF CB 2005005[6][7]

• ANIS - Associaziona Nazionale Istruttori Subacquei CMAS code ITA/F08[1]

• APT - Antincendio Prevencione Tecnologia CMAS code ITA/F05[1]

• ASD Acqua Team CMAS code ITA/F04[1]

• ASI - Alleanza Sportiva Italiana Divisione Subacquea CMAS code ITA/F11[1]

• AUF - Australian Underwater Federation – The governing body for underwater sports in Australia CMAS code AUS/F00[1]

• AUSI - Associated Underwater Scuba Instructors (formerly Australian Underwater Scuba Instructors)[8][9]

This is a bit misleading. 10 on that list are CMAS....just the name of the local organization...not the agency behind them.

 

[lowwall]

As to the quality of instructors... Since IFDI does zero marketing, how will a poor instructor get students? I suspect most of the instructors who teach courses under it already have an established reputation and just want the ability to teach, perhaps on an occasional basis, without all the overhead.

They're seems to be no reason for an instructor who is thinking about freelancing or taking a long break or retiring not to get an IFDI number. It's no charge and doesn't expire. Just add professional liability coverage and you are ready to go.

 

[lowwall]

This is a bit misleading. 10 on that list are CMAS....just the name of the local organization...not the agency behind them.

Here's a link to the full list: List of diver certification organizations - Wikipedia

There are over 3 dozen that aren't CMAS affiliates. Most that I've never heard of.

 

[tursiops]

Here's a link to the full list: List of diver certification organizations - Wikipedia

There are over 3 dozen that aren't CMAS affiliates. Most that I've never heard of.

Some in your list are not recreational diving associations, some are CMAS that you didn't mark as so, and of note is that IFDI is NOT on the list. Almost all that you marked are local to a particular country, so probably no issue with recognition within that country.
I count 12 that are international, recreational, not CMAS....and recognize them all.

 

[Edward3c]

Thanks for your reactivity... Which has even exceeded my expectations...
Having none solution in sight... I kept on searching on the net and...

YESSS, I found it. I Finally Did It... If I may play with its acronym:

IFDI

Which stands for: International Fun Diving Instructors.

There's no license fee and no crossover fee there.

GOODBYE PADI. HELLO IFDI.

I wouldn’t want to rely on them if there was an incident. Their training isn’t accredited by anyone. The claim that they follow ISO standards is miles away from being accredited to the ISO Standards. I doubt any insurer would defend their instructors following an incident.

You’ve successfully advertised your organisation.

 

[Edward3c]

.

 

[Hoyden]

When we run guest dives, we require an internationally recognized scuba certification of Open Water Diver. We have had someone show up with a card from a european agency that was not a WRSTC member. We declined to have the diver participate as we could not verify anything about his training except that he had a card.

YMMV