PADI Master Scuba Diver - what does it give you?

[drrich2]

The PADI Master Diver cert. provides:

1.) Encouragement (via a goal) to some (not all) to seek more formal training than they might otherwise (e.g.: perhaps Rescue Diver, or a couple of extra specialties.

2.) A single card summarizing a fairly substantial listing of formal training.

3.) A sense of accomplishment and pride for those who value it so.

The repetitive debates on the issue make me think of someone who has completed enough college hours at a community college and met the requirements for, oh, say, an associate's degree in something not job related. And let's stay they can receive that degree for a hundred dollar processing fee. Would you get it?

The criticism that I've found off-the-wall on another thread was basically 'Don't waste that money on a card! Use it to buy gear or dive!'

I agree; if your finances are so tight that $50 is going to make the difference in whether you can go diving or get a desired piece of gear, maybe you shouldn't get the card!

If you can part with the money, and you'd like it, and working toward it might inspire you to get more training, that's fine.

Richard.

P.S.: Naui has a different 'Master Scuba Diver' program that's an actual course, if that's of interest.

 

[chrpai]

Not true at all. Diver one has proof that he has done 8 training courses including deep diving, navigation, rescue skills, and logged 50 dives. He has proven his abilities to an instructor.

You just unwittingly proved my pooint. 50 dives isn't squat for experience. I've seen plenty of horrible divers who proved something to some instructor somewhere.

I've only taken 4 classes because that's what it takes to do rescue and get nitrox. I have decided that it's a pointless excercise to take altitude diver, boat diver, drift diver, multilevel diver, night diver, PPB, ectera because I learned that all on my own.

So by your judgement that 50 dive wonder is a better diver then me. I wouldn't bet on it if I was you.

 

[Rogersea]

Let me guess.... you're a PADI instructor?

I would like to compliment you on your keen powers of observation ..

Cheers,
Roger

 

[emoreira]

I agree that any one can learn by his own the requiered skills to do some specific dive. We all should remember some guy named Cousteau. He also learned to dive by his own. However, with an instructor I thinks it's easier and faster. If you assited to a course and probed that you have learned the skills, it's ok to get the card. And if you have taken all the courses that qualifies you to be mentioned as Master Diver, why not get that card that means something specialy for you. Also, as has been said already, if $50 means to dive or not to dive, you have choosen the wrong sport for you.

 

[Thiad]

I have one. I didn't set out to get it, but managed to acquire it along the way. My navigation was horrible so I took a course that helped me. It was a huge boost in not only my skills, but my confidence. I'm sure I could have done much of that alone, but it was helpful to work with an instructor who understood my frustrations and was willing to take the time and energy to help me improve (drastically). I ended up with the others by wanting to gain experience or try something different (drysuit and nitrox, for example), and I walked away from every course learning something new. So for me, it's been well worth it. I had a fantastic instructor who used each course to truly build upon what I'd learned in the past and I learned. Does it do anything for me in the eyes of other divers? Probably not, nor do I care if they do or don't agree with it. I'm happy I did it and that's what matters!

 

[OldNSalty]

You just painted me as diver two but that's ok. I rarely dive with a 'pro'. Master Sergeants don't need 2nd Lieutenants.

You're a Master Sergeant? Really?

The same as "Master of Science", "Master of Engineering", and just about every other "Master" out there? Practically useless, in the sense that it is not required for any type of job I heard of and rarely is worth the time invested (in terms of financial gains), does not really prove anything, but it does motivate you to study in a focused manner for a period of time. I think it is good to have excuses to push oneself a bit harder, even if this means getting just a silly title...

I don't know about 'practically useless'. I have one of those useless degrees-as do most people at my firm. It is not a requirement but it helps and your pay reflects it.

As to the master diver card-some people have great programs and others have crap programs-kinda like the OW card.

 

[chrpai]

You're a Master Sergeant? Really?

Well, with today's liberal courts I could claim that I am and get away with it. But no, it was a metaphor only. I got out as a Corporal and was a GS-12 three days later.

 

[Rogersea]

What do you get? You get laughed at.

re: going "past" rescue diver... why not just go diving? (a lot)

---------- Post Merged at 12:10 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 12:07 PM ----------



Using c-cards to gauge competency? Scary. The only c-card I carry on me is my nitrox card.

Sure, as a provider of dive tours and continuing education in SE Asia, when I see someone that has a Master Diver Card, I can "usually" be confident that he/she has knowledge of basic rescue skills as well as has been exposed to several different types of diving...

I am curious why did you decide to bust my dalls on this thread? Why didn't you just provide your own opinion based on the fact that you are an knowledgable, experienced self taught Diver?

Cheers,
Roger

Congratulations on coming out of retirement from diving .

 

[OldNSalty]

Well, with today's liberal courts I could claim that I am and get away with it. But no, it was a metaphor only. I got out as a Corporal and was a GS-12 three days later.

Congrads on the job...one could have confussed what you were saying with Bravado...same as with those flashing a card...of course in your case you might have just been trying to make a point...same as someone flashing a card.

 

[4dawgma]

So you can teach scuba with only 50 dives and a card? That doesn't even seem right. I may do the nitrox thing because some folks actually want to see a card.