I totally agree with dale. I was co-owner of the company that hired dale and we would not even consider someone with 1000 dives without their rescue diver cert. Employers are liable for their employees in the water (as well as their customers they serve) and they need some assurance that the divers they hire have their wits about them in theirs head as well as their technical skills. Rescue, Divemaster and above prepare you for that. Just my $.02