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>The problem with a certification card for any diving skill is lack of 
>mandatory periodic recertifications and no requirement for minimal diving 
>hours using the skill in order to maintain certification- assumming you 
>became proficient after taking the original course and receiving original 
>card. I could get a tri-mix certification today, not dive for three 
>years, and the card still says I'm a tri-mix certified diver. Dive 
>operators ought to ask for a card and a log book along with an FBI 
>affidavit of competency. Rod

I hear ya. I too was surprised that there were no "drop dead" dates on 
any of my cards. Since I've been acquiring my traing and certifications 
at a fairly fast clip (to make up for lost time) all of them are quite 
recent. It is not such a big deal right now...but I may feel differently 
a couple of years from now if they need updating.

I know my "lay" CPR card only has a two year limit and my physician's 
level CPR certification is only good for a year. 

PADI (possibly the others) has what is called a "scuba tune-up" for 
divers that have been out of it for a bit. (they consider "out of it" to 
be out of the water 6 months or longer). After some classroom and/or 
computer CD-ROM course work and a check dive with an instructor, they 
affix a label to your basic c-card. This program is totally voluntary. If 
I hadn't been diving for 3 years, nobody but me would be the 
wiser...unless they ask for my logbook (that brings up a whole other 
issue).

I could see such a program made involuntary and expanded to cover 
specific specialties. But, if the industry does that, will we start to 
hear complaints about more profiteering on the part of the agencies? 
Those that want to complain would certainly find something to complain 
about here...regardless of the good intentions.

Bottom line is usually nobody really suffers but you. You're the one 
putting your a** on the line, so what is to be gained by cutting corners 
and letting training lapse?

I think we're all in agreement that diving is a "self enforcing" 
activity. You get careless, you get stupid, you permit your knowledge 
base or skills to grow stale...nature will thin the herd. She always 
does...eventually!

Robb W

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