So what happens if...

[cmalinowski]

... a cave agency goes under?

I was glazing over the UWS thread (to print or not to print). After waking up, I thought to myself "so, what happens if one of the cave training orgs goes under?"

I haven't been around long enough to understand what happens when any training agency goes under, so forgive me if this is some sort of "known" item.

I have trained with GUE. I belong to NACD and NSS-CDS because I believe that they add value to cave diving. But, if any of them "went under" due to poor management I don't know that it would impact me greatly assuming that my cards would still be taken.

Hopefully, if you take card A one day, and the next day agency A is defunct it doesn't mean that my card is no longer valid.

Just curious what the thoughts were if poor management led to the demise of a cave diving training organization.

I would guess that there could be a cross-over for the instructors, so lets pretend that's not an issue. I am looking for impact to divers, not instructors (sorry).

Thoughts?

Chris

[Reddiver]

I quess it would be like when the nasds went under the SSI took it over. And now I think the YMCA is out of diving also. And all of there cards are still good. I'm sure somebody will correct me about some of it. But I think this is true.

[Sludge]

I'm sure somebody will correct me about some of it.

Not to correct, but to clarify. Some of the bigwigs at NASDS had differences so one of them left and formed SSI. Years later, after SSI had grown to include more store/schools than NASDS, they decided to get back together. The plan was to use both names but that quickly became impossible, so they just changed everything to SSI.

All the NASDS records that weren't destroyed in the fire (mid-70s, I believe) are housed at SSI.

[smaclean]

YMCA rec cards and cave cards are still accepted everywhere that I know of.

[OFG-1]

It could be a problem. I have had people laugh at my PADI Cave Card almost everywhere.

[Reddiver]

It could be a problem. I have had people laugh at my PADI Cave Card almost everywhere.

When cave diving with your Padi card do you have to tie your snorkel to the line. I was taught that in Padi Cavern.

[ssmdive]

Most times it seems that the recreational cards are still considered valid.... For example if you had a YMCA "C" card it will still be accepted.

Professional cards, like Instructor or maybe Divemaster may no longer be valid. It is due to the insurance issues.

[JDostal]

No, the snorkel should not be tied to the line at the start of the dive. It should be carried with you on a bolt snap on your butt d-ring throughout the dive so it can be used in the event of a lost line drill without proper tie-offs.

[Jack Hammer]

I'd be more worried about how to replace a lost c-card if an agency went away. Anyone have any ideas or experience there?

[bdoxey]

I'd be more worried about how to replace a lost c-card if an agency went away. Anyone have any ideas or experience there?

I was certified NASDS back in the 70's in California. I was out of diving for a few years and also had my wallet (C-card and all) stolen in the meantime. That's when I found out about their fire.

NASDS had an "oh well" attitude that the records were destroyed and nothing could be done. Basically, I was hosed as I just had that one OW cert with no proof, so taking another course was the only option. Luckily I had a friend that was an instructor who gave me a "quickie" course.

I now have laminated copies of my cards that I keep at home in addition to the ones in my wallet.

Bryan