What? No PADI Solo Diving Certification Accepted?

When I boarded the Turks and Caicos Explorer in January, I presented my PADI Self Reliant Card, which I received after my solo-diver certification.

No dice. I was told that their insurance company did not recognize PADI as a qualified certification agency for solo diving.

The crew verified that with their corporate office. I would not be able to dive solo. Only an SDI solo certification card was acceptable.

When I signed up for this trip, the website stated that certifications from "agencies" that offer solo diving training are acceptable. After I returned and contacted Explorer Ventures and they corrected changed their website to say they only accept SDI Solo certifications.

- Rene Cote (Richmond, VA)

A word for the wise: No matter where you are headed, if you want to flash your PADI Self Reliant Card so you may solo dive, contact your destination ahead of time to ensure they accept it.