Paul,
I don't have the courses mixed up. The courses I mentioned are the current courses that PADI offers. I did not realize your cert was from 14 years ago. I contacted PADI myself and got the following response from the training department:
Quote:
Thank you for taking the time to write and for the opportunity to answer your questions.
Prior to standards changes that occurred on September 1, 1986, there were two PADI entry-level certifications: Basic Diver and Open Water Diver. Basic Diver training included most of the performance requirements of Open Water Diver training, but it required only two open-water training dives. This difference meant that some skills, such as emergency swimming ascent and buddy breathing ascent, were not practiced in open water. Because of this, Basic Diver certification came with a restriction requiring the diver and his buddy to dive with an alternate air source. Additionally, Basic Divers are not eligible for most other PADI courses, such as PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Specialties, etc. as they require a minimum rating of PADI Open Water Diver to enroll.
To upgrade to a PADI Open Water Diver level, the Basic Diver must successfully complete a PADI Scuba Review and the PADI Open Water Diver course training Dives 3 and 4, including performing a controlled emergency swimming ascent. Then submit a PIC for Open Water Diver certification.
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The course your wife and daughter took is the initial entry level course that PADI offers that lets them rent equipment and dive without a professional escort (with a 60 foot recommended depth limit). I am not sure how exactly you are defining decompression diving, but the entry level open water courses teach no-stop diving and do not teach staged decompression diving. This type of diving is covered in technical courses. Does that clear things up any?
David