AOW accepted over Master Diver ?

[b1draper]

There's no way to become a Master Diver if you haven't first completed the requirements for becomming AOW. Both PADI and SSI require 50 dives and certification in 5 specialties with one of those specialties being Rescue or Stress/Rescue. The Master Diver rating also requires certification in CPR and FirstAid.

Plus the Master Diver card lists the specialties you've completed and with SSI lists a number of dives you've completed when you sent off for the card.

 

[jviehe]

LOL - reminds me of something my uncle told me years back ... "You're 21 now, time to get drunk" ...

I sure hope there's more point to the deep dive than simply getting narced. A little bit of dive planning and gas management would sure come in handy ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Yes, sorry. I meant its one of the points. Not the only point.

 

[scubadiver888]

At least not for SSI anyways... Rescue, 50 dives, and 4 other specialties are all that are required for the Master Diver cert. (at least according to SSI's website)

AOW from SSI is 24 dives and 4 specialty. They don't spell it out like PADI but Master Diver being 50 dives and 4 specialty means you have AOW and then some. So technically, if you are SSI MD you are SSI AOW as well.

 

[Flightlead]

Gee; I thought AOW was a prereqesite for Master Diver.

depends on the agency. most include a phrase similar to "or equivalent experience" anyway.

I personally have NAUI Master, never took Advanced. Had Rescue and 70 odd dives at the time I think.

 

[b1gcountry]

You also have to apply for the card to get an SSI AOW certification. Its possible to never apply for the AOW card, and still have a Master diver Card, but most shops aren't that concerned about it. If you show them a rescue diver/DM/MSD, they assume you have an AOW.

Tom

 

[jviehe]

For PADI as well, AOW or equivelant (any cert beyond OW and 20 dives) is required for MSD.

 

[Charlie99]

I've heard that some charters Require you to be Advanced certed to dive thier ops...

What I am wondering is has anyone ever heard of someone with a Master Diver cert (but no AOW) has ever been denied on a charter boat.

Obviously, the best people to ask are the charters you intend to use.

I've only run into the "AOW required" mentality in the Florida Keys, for trips to some of the wrecks. Some of those dive ops will accept as an alternative a logbook with deep dives in the recent past.

I've also had a Keys dive op accept my PADI Rescue card in lieu of AOW, since PADI Rescue has as a prerequisite the AOW course or equivalent experience.

It would seem likely that Master Diver cert would be accepted just like my Rescue card satisfied the dive op.

BTW, I have seen some boats where there was a somewhat suspicious reaction to the PADI Master Diver card, in that it is just another cert card with no specific training involved and therefore a holder of that card was suspected to be overly focussed on collecting cert cards rather then getting training and experience.

 

[b1draper]

Pensicola and Ft. Lauderdale dive ops tend to look for the AOW or deep cert on some of their charters. But usually accept recent dive experience to satisfy that requirement.

 

[garyfotodiver]

From the SSI website:

SSI Master Diver
SSI’s Master Diver rating is one of the most elite ratings in diving today. Divers that have completed this level have combined the knowledge, skills and experience to truly call themselves Master Divers. To earn the certification for Master Diver, you must complete 4 specialty courses, Diver Stress&Rescue and have done a total of 50 dives.

SSI Advanced Open Water Diver
SSI’s Advanced Diver rating stands alone in the industry with the highest combination of diving knowledge and experience. No other agency’s advanced diver level compares. To earn the certification for Advanced Open Water Diver, you must complete 4 specialty courses and have done a total of 24 dives.

So what is the difference? Not much in my opinion. I have the specialties, the DSR, and the dives. But I am not that interested in obtaining another c-card simply because I can.

 

[PvtStash]

From the SSI website:

SSI Master Diver
SSI’s Master Diver rating is one of the most elite ratings in diving today. Divers that have completed this level have combined the knowledge, skills and experience to truly call themselves Master Divers. To earn the certification for Master Diver, you must complete 4 specialty courses, Diver Stress&Rescue and have done a total of 50 dives.

SSI Advanced Open Water Diver
SSI’s Advanced Diver rating stands alone in the industry with the highest combination of diving knowledge and experience. No other agency’s advanced diver level compares. To earn the certification for Advanced Open Water Diver, you must complete 4 specialty courses and have done a total of 24 dives.

So what is the difference? Not much in my opinion. I have the specialties, the DSR, and the dives. But I am not that interested in obtaining another c-card simply because I can.

yeah I didnt see it either... which is why I was thinking, If I'm a OW diver with over 50 dives and then complete 4 specialties and Rescue diver why would I apply/pay for an AOW cert when I could go right to the Master ? I dont find the idea of paying for AOW and then again for Master very appealing.