Card you’re most proud of earning?

[mc42]

Probably Fundies for the sheer amount of concentrated work, challenging it in doubles, and by dive #49. Followed by Tech pass 20 dives later. It really set a solid foundation for everything else after.

OWSI as well, as it was the culmination of a lot of work, and pushing in areas other than scuba skills.

 

[Pressurehead]

That and the BSAC Lifesaver and Advanced Lifesaver which replaced the Sub-aqua Bronze Medallion.

Was that in the UK only ? I was a BSAC member a long time ago around that time [was never a civilian club type person, I was still in the Navy, too many egos for me] , was it like the OZ course from 1976-1986, the Sub Aqua Bronze Medallion ? Hard .

 

[Blues Runner]

OW at the tender age of 55 along with my spouse. Opened up a new world for us. Picture is of us returning from our first post certification dive off of Marathon. Rescue Diver was the most physically challenging for me.

 

[Edward3c]

Was that in the UK only ? I was a BSAC member a long time ago around that time [was never a civilian club type person, I was still in the Navy, too many egos for me] , was it like the OZ course from 1976-1986, the Sub Aqua Bronze Medallion ? Hard .

I did the Bronze Medallion in the army whilst stationed in Belize in 1978 on St George's Caye. It was part of the sub-aqua adventure training on offer, whilst we did the BSAC 3rd Class course. I later did the Lifesaving, Advanced Lifesaving, O2 Administration, Practical Rescue Management and First Aid For Divers that collectively gave me Diver Rescue Specialist in 1989.

 

[JMBL]

PADI OW, it was the very 1st one. I was 19 by then and I had to scrounge every penny I could get to finance the training. The other certifications were not especially easy to get, but this one was clearly the hardest. Btw, I'm 50 now.

 

[bletso]

NAUI Master Diver even though I went on to do cave training, then instructor through trimix and instructor trainer. It all started with the MD

 

[SandyRobinson]

YMCA Scuba Diver...and the foundation of everything else to follow...

Same here. In all of my courses since, I knew what to expect for the most part. However during the YMCA Scuba Diver course (my first), I had no clue of what to expect especially with water drills and tasks - most of which seemed to be designed to increase your comfort in the water.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

AN/DP/Adv Wreck Instructor cards.

 

[jadairiii]

GUE Cave 1 and IANTD Tec Deep Air. First one because it was the most intense and fulfilling 6 days of any class I ever took over my 40+ years diving.....the second one because I survived it.

 

[tursiops]

I was really proud when I got the Divemaster card, way back when, but my top card for pride is Coral Identification Instructor: I developed the course and wrote the Instructor Manual, worked it through the approval process at PADI as a Distinctive Specialty, produced a student manual available on Lulu, made up waterproof flash cards, and have taught it to dozens of students. The great thing about Coral ID compared to Fish ID, is the coral does not swim away while you are looking at it. Even better, as an instructor returning to the same place year after year (like Buddy Reef in Bonaire), you know just where to find some of the less common species to show to the students.