Increasingly divers are undertaking training from more than one agency so
Dive Data 2000 has been updated to respect this variety. For example an
individual may learn to dive on holiday by taking a PADI Open Water course. On
return he or she may join a local BSAC branch, but with experience may want to
do a Trimix or rebreather course with one of the technical agencies such as
IANTD. Perhaps he buys a boat and wants to improve navigational or boat-handling
skills with a RYA certification, or wants to improve First Aid skills with a
course from DAN or the Red Cross.
At the branch level, many dive clubs are adopting an "ecumenical"
approach where they will accept members trained with any recognised diving
organisation rather than forcing them to cross over to a particular certifying
agency. Dive Data 2000 supports this approach by maintaining a portfolio of
subscriptions for each diver in the branch. A diver can be a member of one, many
or even no certifying agencies and each month the membership secretary is
provided with details of any subscriptions that are due.
The only thing that isn't stored is extensive financial information. Each
branch is likely to run it's finances differently, and in many cases it would be
inconvenient for the treasurer and records officer to keep their records on the
same PC. A spreadsheet or a simple accountancy program, such as Quicken will
make a much better job of storing financial data. Dive Data 2000 does provide
information about subscriptions received from members each month, intended to
provide the Membership Secretary with a listing which can easily be forwarded to
the treasurer.