Do i need to get a different card or sticker for transitioning from PADI open Water to Advanced?

Question

I passed the PADI certification with flying colors and am diving in Cali later this year, Im going for the Advanced course next and want to know if I have to get a different card, sticker...basically, how do people know your certification level sans log book...etc...help!!!

Answer 1

While it is true that once you are certified your card may let you into any dive you feel qualified to do, there is so much more to learn. The Advanced course is designed to give you the opportunity to learn more while under the supervision of training professionals. I have been teaching scuba diving for 25 years as have been employed at a scuba training facility (http://www.visibilityunlimited.com) for close to 20 years now (I need to update my profile wow). Depending on the agency, the advanced course is designed to give you not only training but also experience in many different facets of diving. Deep, Night, underwater Photography, Navigation, Search and Recovery, wreck diving......the list goes on and on. PADI's Advanced course gives you an educated taste in what is available. If you find you really like a particular type of diving such as night diving then you will have the sample in the advanced and it is credited toward a full specialty should your desire be more (pardon the pun) in depth in the field.

The open water course does not make you infallible. No course (instructor course included) will do that. Scuba diving is as safe as you make it and continuing your education is a step further in developing a greater understanding of the sport in a wider scope. I feel that continuing education is a benefit as it will increase your level of becoming more safety conscious in the underwater world.

Sorry...got on a soapbax there for a minute. As far as the answer to whether or not you will get a new card, the answer is yes. At resorts and such having the advanced card is an indication to those in charge of the dives that you have had additional training and require a bit less supervision than a just-out-of open-water diver. The log book backs it up by showing how many dives you have done in relationship to the type of diving you are wanting to do. As an Instructor, there are certain specialties that are near and dear to me and there are those that I found I don't really like to do even though I am qualified to teach them. I am more than happy to refer those specialties to the instructors on staff who really do love the ones that I don't care for.

When you talk to an instructor ask them what types of diving they enjoy the most. If the bulk of the conversation is around some of your same interests, then you have someone special.

I commend, congratulate and welcome you to the underwater world..it is a truely amazing place.

Answer 2

With PADI, each class/course comes with a new card upon completion.



For example, I have the following PADI cards:

Open Water

Advanced Open Water

Rescue Diver

Drysuit Diver

Wreck Diver

Nitrox/Enriched Air

Divemaster

Assistant Instructor

Open Water Scuba Instructor



When I go on vacation, I typically take my highest certification level card as my "proof" of certification.

Answer 3

A clarification on a wrong answer above... Dr. Pharmacy states:



"I hardly see the reason for advanced when open water will let you into any dive.

I have been diving for 20 years...A PADI certification for open water will let me into any dive I think I am qualified for..."



Here in FL many dives (and dive operators) require you to have a minimum of an Advanced Open Water cert to do some more advanced dives. This would include many of the best wrecks. Your open water cert qualifies you to 60ft. Your advanced to the rec limit of 130ft. (however I'd argue you should limit yourself to less than 100ft until you have far more experience)

Answer 4

I am a PADI diver, To answer your Questions: You can buy the book "Advanced Training for Open Water Divers" do your theory in advance / in your own time but when you do your course it has to be done there under supervision but you will find it much quicker / easier as you know whats coming & most clubs let you do it in the evenings. As for the diving all five you select has to be done under supervision but the best is you get to choose the dives you like & they are the dive you have listed. Your instructor will sign off your dive so keep your book with you. The best is in most cases it's cheaper to do the coure than to do the dives without the course & I did mine at "The Waikiki Dive Center" Honolulu. All The Best. Neil 'H'

Answer 5

You will get a new card, and a new certification number. PADI doesn't keep the same cert numbers until you reach the professional level of divemaster and up.

Answer 6

Once you are certified for advanced...your certification will be sent to PADI...A new card will be issued.........I hardly see the reason for advanced when open water will let you into any dive.

I have been diving for 20 years...A PADI certification for open water will let me into any dive I think I am qualified for...

Answer 7

as a fellow diver i say go to the padi website, and dont go to cali go to bahamas, thats where i got my open water

Answer 8

Look at rjamason's answer below, I could not have put it any better. another pun; Explore the depths of your passion to find the meaning of adventure, enjoy yourself.