How to answer "what is your highest certification level"?

[DavidFL]

but that's the full course, right? I was thinking of the 2-dive certification where you still need a dive pro to dive with you.

Nope, nope, nope, no. In the early1970's there was one YMCA course, one certification, they were pretty clear about it, as evidenced by the back of the card! No shortcuts either! As far as I can remember, the next level up was Instructor. By 1980 when I got my most recent YMCA Instructor certification there were a couple of other courses you could teach if you became a 'Gold Star' Instructor. In all honesty the two refresher instructor clinics I did to maintain the Y instructor credential (one in California, with open water work in Monterey Bay; one in Texas, with open water work in.....some lake) were very professional and intense.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I usually show them this card to get a laugh about the 70s mustache and sideburns. In Grand Cayman once an attractive female less than half my age said it looked like a 70s porn actor. I was too slow on the uptake to ask her if she liked my work.

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Height, weight, eye color, hair color ... is it a certification card or an arrest warrant?! My how times have changed.

 

[scubadada]

but that's the full course, right? I was thinking of the 2-dive certification where you still need a dive pro to dive with you...

Looks like you want PADI Scuba Diver, so that you can dive to 40 feet with a PADI dive professional

My LA County course in 1970 was called Basic Skin & Scuba Diving. The next level of training was the well known LA County Advanced Diver Program. My course was similar to the curriculum posted by @DavidFL for the YMCA. It was a minimum 30 hours, we got in more as we were loaned my high school pool by the athletic director, who was also in the course. We had 5 OW dives, 3 beach dives in LA and a 2 tank trip to Catalina

 

[EFX]

Height, weight, eye color, hair color ... is it a certification card or an arrest warrant?! My how times have changed.

It was an arrest warrant for carrying a dangerous unlicensed weapon. Do you recall how big and long the dive knives were back then? And of course, who can forget the wonderful instructions from Sea Hunt on how to use them!

 

[greeniguana]

It was an arrest warrant for carrying a dangerous unlicensed weapon. Do you recall how big and long the dive knives were back then? And of course, who can forget the wonderful instructions from Sea Hunt on how to use them!

I still have my 1980s BFKs. It should be noted that I was 12-13 when I was diving with these!

 

[TMHeimer]

My brother had one of those he used last few years to dig up clams. He lost it on a dive.

 

[Scared Silly]

Does this count???

 

[kelemvor]

Treating the crew like your subordinates in bastardry
Yeah, setting yourself up for a nice day on the water.

I like to show them aow, combined with my grey hair
smile, using their name and shake hands, and smile

Physical contact with "the help?" Ew.

 

[Marie13]

I heard someone went to dive center down south and asked for nitrox and was denied so he gave them his tri mix card and said can we take out the helium. I remember seeing it on this forum don’t remember the rest.

 

[Bert van den Berg]

I seriously have to laugh at the variety of responses to this simple question. You are an amazing group of diversified people!

After reading every single response to date I have decided to answer either AOW or SOLO. Either answer would likely allow me to do the dive I want without the potential negative possibilities so many of you have highlighted.

Thank you all.