More times than I can recall I have been asked by students, "how long is a "C" card good for"? My standard answer has always been, "it is good for life, though I have seen some divers that I would like to be able to take their "C" card away."

Of late there has been much controversy regarding the issuance of "C" cards with a time limit or rather an expiration date. The open water certification would thus require a "re-certification". This is not a new concept but rather an old one being revisited.

Though SCUBA students learn the academics and the skills to earn their certification, I hope that they continue to practice them from time to time. Every student of mine has the standing offer from me to come back and tune-up before resuming their diving if it has been some time since they were in the water. But not every Instructor or shop makes this offer and for many divers it is a matter of just taking the time.

Regardless of the dive experience the diver may have, if it has been more than 6 months to a year, they are probably a little "rusty". The instinct to survive is strong so when the going gets tough the "rusty" get hurt.

I read recently that an Instructor has implemented a formula to help dormant divers recognize the value of a skills review. He suggests that the total number of logged dives (derived from the log book we all keep) be divided by the number of months since the last dive. If the result is 1 or greater, a diver’s skills may not be severely deteriorated. Smaller fractions indicate more deterioration of skills.

For example: John Doe was certified in 1992 he has not been on a dive since his check out dives. It is currently 1998, 66 months have elapsed since John did his last dive. Four dives divided by 66 months equals a relatively small level of diving skill experience. He is definitely a candidate for at least a skills review.