Is Master Scuba Diver "worth it" in your opinion

[Edward3c]

I'm pretty sure all my C-Cards are in my Padi App - it lists them all. At least the Padi ones. My understanding from Padi is it is the only agency that issues Scuba certifications.

In Egypt alone there are 57 scuba agencies issuing ISO accredited qualifications as authorised by the CDWS, PADI is only one.

 

[Badger7]

My understanding from Padi is it is the only agency that issues Scuba certifications.

You're trolling right? You got me.

List of diver certification organizations - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Master Diver | GUE

www.gue.com

Demonstrating the ability to manage a deco cylinder and select the right helium mix for deeper dives does sounds a bit more like "mastery" than fish identification, boat, drift, night and enriched air diver

 

[BabyLitigator]

You're trolling right? You got me.

Yes - was trying to be sarcastic. Local shop also offers TDI certs and a lot of folks I know have gone through either Fundies or IANTD Intro to Cave.

 

[Leatherboot69]

It’s definitely worth it…

MSD is a great way to structure your ‘basic’ diver training in a way that is tailored to your needs and type of diving.

You also get a nice certificate saying that you’ve ‘completed a prescribed course of instruction in scuba diving’. It’s a bit of fun badge collecting, but it got me out diving and doing more training, which then got me trying more advanced dives, which then got me more excited about diving, etc etc… Plus it’s a known quantity - dive ops will know it means you have received diving instruction and developed experience post beginner level.

As has been said elsewhere, Scubaboard isn’t representative of most divers. MSD gets a slating on Scubaboard based on the word ‘master’ in the title, which offends some people, but who cares? If the exact same course was called ‘Modular Scuba Diver Training’ people would rave about what a comprehensive diver training course it is.

Ultimately I enjoyed it, which is the only thing that matters. It also helped make me a better diver (I enjoyed it so much I went on to become a Divemaster).

 

[The Chairman]

MSD is a great way to structure your ‘basic’ diver training in a way that is tailored to your needs and type of diving.

We're all about training. We're not all about collecting cards. Too many divers chase cards and forget to simply enjoy the dive. To put it in perspective, I was taught to dive in 1969, and got my first card around the turn of the century. I had hundreds of dives before I got my first card. Within 6 months, of that card, I had earned my PADI Dive Master. 8 months after that I was a NAUI instructor. Yay! Somehow, I had morphed from not having a single card to having over a dozen. Was my diving any more fun? Not really.

Diving should be all about having fun. Lots of fun. Go slow. This is easiest if your trim and buoyancy are spot on. But go slow, and look. I'll guarantee that many (most?) divers are zooming right past some pretty awesome experiences. Check out the cleaning stations. Take a hard look under the ledge. Did you bring a flashlight? Let the oceans/springs/rivers/caves awe you with the underwater delights they're keeping from the Speedy Gonzaleses. But mostly, have fun.

 

[Centrals]

The five PADI specialty courses that I took:
Deep, Drift, Multi-level, Nitrox(max 40%) and Underwater Nevigator.
Great fun and money well spent.
The Wheel is great.

BTW, I did not pay for the card in 1998.

 

[SelfDiver]

I'm pretty sure all my C-Cards are in my Padi App - it lists them all. At least the Padi ones. My understanding from Padi is it is the only agency that issues Scuba certifications.

"My understanding from Padi is it is the only agency that issues Scuba certifications."
-That's right! And don't you forget it.

NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors)
SSI (Scuba Schools International)
SDI (Scuba Diving International)
BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club)
CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques)
RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers)
ANDI (American Nitrox Divers International)
IDEA (International Diving Educators Association)
PDIC (Professional Diving Instructors Corporation)
ACUC (American Canadian Underwater Certifications)
AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences)
CAUS (Canadian Association for Underwater Science)
DIA (Dive International Agency)
SDSC (Scientific Diving Supervisory Committee)
GUE (Global Underwater Explorers)
TDI (Technical Diving International)
IDEA (International Diving Educators Association)

 

[TMHeimer]

The five PADI specialty courses that I took:
Deep, Drift, Multi-level, Nitrox(max 40%) and Underwater Nevigator.
Great fun and money well spent.
The Wheel is great.

BTW, I did not pay for the card in 1998.

As I've said on the many past threads about this, your MSD means something because these specialties improve either your diving or safety. As opposed to some others you could also take and still get the MSD.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

I'm pretty sure all my C-Cards are in my Padi App - it lists them all. At least the Padi ones. My understanding from Padi is it is the only agency that issues Scuba certifications.

I want a hard card, not a phone. I have one, but for the most part, I won't carry it.

 

[The Chairman]

As I've said on the many past threads about this, your MSD means something because these specialties improve either your diving or safety. As opposed to some others you could also take and still get the MSD.

If you want to go "Deep", take a tech class on deco procedures.
"Drift" is a pretty useless cert in my eyes. Same with "Boat". "Shore" might have some merit if you encounter lots of surf.
"Multi-Level" is no longer being offered as there is no wheel. Again, Deco procedures cover all of this.
"NitrOx" is always a good class.
"Underwater Navigator" can be good depending on the instructor. Often, it's the blind leading the blind. Find a Boy Scout to teach you how to use a compass. Join an orienteering club to really learn it.
A great class would be "Rescue Diver", which is a misnomer.
Others would be "First Aid" and "Oxygen Provider", though they won't improve your diving.
If you really want to improve your diving, adding huge amounts of added safety and fun, please, please, please take a cavern course. You might never get into cave diving, but the principles, the trim, the buoyancy, and the mindset are a real gamechanger for most any diver. Best part? They have cookies!

I'm not trying to put dampers on people getting out and diving or even taking training. Join a local club. Find a good dive buddy, maybe even one that can mentor you. Better, if they can dementor you. But, if you're going to do training, then consider doing training that really counts. Be sure to pad those classes with lots and lots of diving. Train to dive, not the other way around.