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So after reading your many varied responses (thank you), it appears that there is no consensus about what to say when asked "what is your highest certification level".
I apologize for not realizing that many people reading my original post are super qualified. I should have been more specific and asked for "relative" rankings of certification for recreational divers (of which I am one).
PADI says that "Master Scuba Diver Is the Highest Recreational Scuba Diving Certification Level" but it seems to me that the Master Scuba diver certification can be achieved with so many low level activities such as Boat Diver, Fish Identification, etc. as to make that a non contender for highest certification level. A dive operator would then have to ask what courses you did to qualify for Master Diver.
I am in no way trying to denigrate the Master Diver certificat. Just saying that there are many paths to earning that certificate that dive operators would have to ask additional questions.
Charters have asked about my certifications and experience level, but I don't think any of them have asked to actually see a plastic card - even for CCR trimix trips. The only place I have shown a card at all in the last 10 years is Ginnie Springs or Manatee State Park in FLHere's a twist on this: How the hell does one list tech diving qualification on a résumé using minimal words in a way that's clear enough to convey to non-divers that it's an advanced cert, but precise enough for divers to understand your actual cert level?
PADI says that "Master Scuba Diver Is the Highest Recreational Scuba Diving Certification Level" but it seems to me that the Master Scuba diver certification can be achieved with so many low level activities such as Boat Diver, Fish Identification, etc. as to make that a non contender for highest certification level. A dive operator would then have to ask what courses you did to qualify for Master Diver.
I am in no way trying to denigrate the Master Diver certificat. Just saying that there are many paths to earning that certificate that dive operators would have to ask additional questions.
Usually a blank look of, huh. Had that when I used my Altitude Diver card years ago in Cozumel.
your original question was plenty clear enough.I apologize for not realizing that many people reading my original post are super qualified. I should have been more specific and asked for "relative" rankings of certification for recreational divers (of which I am one).