PADI Diver Numbers

[Zen1300]

I just got my Nitrox card and noticed it has a different diver number.

Must I really carry two cards with me?

It seems beneficial to use a single diver number and just send an updated card with any new cert added as an endorsement., similar to adding “M” to my drivers license to indicate I can drive both cars and motorcycles.

 

[boulderjohn]

Your number on every card you get will be different unless you become a professional. Your professional number will always be the same.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

At most take 3 cards: nitrox, deep (if applicable), and your highest certification (ow, aow, msd). I'd hope that scans work too (I'd suggest scanning all your cards). I haven't heard of dive ops not accepting scans, but that doesn't mean that it hasn't been an issue for someone somewhere. Though any PADI shop will be able to look them up, and if you were to throw a dart blindfolded at a board with dive shops, chances are it will land on a PADI one.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Any reason why they can't put all certs on one card? SDI does the same thing.

 

[boulderjohn]

Any reason why they can't put all certs on one card?

My total stack of dive cards is close to 2 inches now. My PADI portion is about 1.25 inches. Want to put all of that on one card?

 

[ScubaJCBS]

yes it would be easy just look at your drivers license.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Small font, abbreviate, double side, sure..... I would think that the vast majority of divers certs would easily fit on one card. That brings up an interesting question though, what percentage of total divers have gone beyond OW, and what percentages have AOw, Rescue, Nitrox, Zombie apocalypse, etc...

Jay

 

[TMHeimer]

Buy a fancy paper log book with pockets and stuff them all in there. Then leave it home because you might lose it. Take whatever cards you may need to get accepted on a boat or whatever. Or copies, or maybe on your phone. Or in a wallet.

 

[yle]

I just got my Nitrox card and noticed it has a different diver number.

Must I really carry two cards with me?

Depends on what you're doing. Getting an air fill? You only need one card. Getting a nitrox fill? You only need one card.

The only scenario in which you reasonably would need more than one card would be if a shop was taking you out diving to a site for which they required an AOW cert, and you wanted them to provide you nitrox. Then you'd probably have to show them both AOW and nitrox cards.

Considering this is the only common "two card" scenario, wouldn't it be nice if PADI was able to issue a "nitrox & AOW card"? Yes, absolutely. But I'm sure they figure it isn't worth the hassle to them... just bring both cards.

 

[yle]

That brings up an interesting question though, what percentage of total divers have gone beyond OW, and what percentages have AOw, Rescue, Nitrox, Zombie apocalypse, etc...

PADI occasionally publishes stats on this. Last time I saw them was a while ago, and I think it was something like 15% of OW divers get their AOW, and 5% (maybe 3%?) of OW divers end up getting Rescue. Seems the fraction decreases exponentially with the level of training.