It’s that time, the annual DEMA Show. DEMA is the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association, and this show is the dive show for professionals. So, what’s gone on so far? The show started today, but programs were afoot yesterday. PADI Course Director Update yesterday morning. We heard more about the revised Open Water Diver course, which looks really cool. One important thing is that there is no hard/set implementation date for the new course materials. So, instructors & shops, use up your own stock. In the meantime, order the new materials and go through them. Yes, read the book, watch the DVD, go through the lesson guides, practice the skills, etc. We all have homework to do.

Then, living the pro diving lifestyle, we had the PADI Member Social. It was an excellent session, with a few highlights of what we do and lots of networking with each other (yes, the wine, beer and sodas flowed freely).

This morning, I walked part of the show and then attended the DAN 2014 Instructor forum/update. Diving First Aid for Professional Divers (DFAPro) will be released soon. This is the last of the DAN programs to be revised. It’s been a long road, but the revised courses and materials for all DAN programs have been well worth it. Kudos to the DAN staff for making these changes. After a bit more on the show floor, I had a meeting with people at DAN about how to improve diver safety. That was followed by a meeting with James Morgan from PADI to talk about goals and ways to make instructor development better. James also took some time and showed me the new Open Water Touch, the interactive tablet version of the Open Water Diver student materials. It looks pretty cool and I can’t wait to get my copy.

Several people have asked about how long their certifications last or what to do if their professional ratings lapse. Here’s a short summary:

PADI Diver Certifications (Open Water Diver, Advanced, Rescue Diver, etc)
These ratings, once earned, are yours for life. That said, just like we teach in the PADI Open Water Diver course, if you are not regularly diving, you should seek a refresher before resuming diving. Typically, if you’ve not been diving for several months, 3-6 as a new diver, 6-12 as an experienced diver, you should take a refresher from a PADI Pro.

Emergency First Response (EFR) Provider
CPR and First Aid skills, unless regularly practiced, deteriorate quickly. It is recommended that you take a refresher every 24 months at a minimum and practice your skills between refreshers.

PADI Professional Ratings
PADI Professional ratings require that you (1) keep current on standards and (2) pay your PADI membership dues. If you let your membership lapse, you’re no longer a PADI member and won’t receive member benefits, such as updates via email and the Training Bulletin provided in the Undersea Journal. For Instructors, if you let your membership lapse for less than three(3) years, you probably will only need to renew and complete an online update. If it is longer than that, you may need retraining. [This is subject to change. If you have questions, please contact PADI Training.]

Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor
EFR Instructors also need to stay current and renew their membership. EFR membership renewal had been biannual, but that is changing to an annual structure. While not required, it is highly suggested you teach frequently to maintain your skills.

Divers Alert Network provider certifications
DAN providers, like EFR providers, need to refresh their skills every 24 months at a minimum. More frequent practice is highly recommended.

DAN Instructor ratings
DAN Instructors need to teach a minimum of one class every 24 months to maintain their rating. They also need to complete one of each class they can teach every 48 months to retain that rating. Letting the course currency lapse or your DAN membership lapse means you can’t teach those courses.

Have a question? Then, please ask your scuba questions here!

After seeing how useful this was on my wife’s site Glass With a Past, let’s try something. On Wednesdays, I’ll post a question and my answer to the blog. So, what questions do you have about scuba? Is it difficult? Can kids dive? What if I wear glasses? Go for it!

Please submit your scuba questions here or click on the “Ask A Question” link at the top of the page.

I’m still not sure why I call this the “Kids” workshop during my PADI IDC programs.   Adults love building stuff underwater just as much as kids do.