Difficulty in getting courses and specialties.

[Jim Lapenta]

Not necessary. There are a few around here that would do it. And I bet I could even get it on my own with the right form and 35 or 40 bucks.

 

[Thalassamania]

Aw ... shucks, there goes my commission.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Do you have vanity plates on your car? If so, PADI Master Diver should be right up your alley. If not, you can likely live without it.

Hey! I resemble that remark!
One of my other money pits... I mean hobbies... is racing. My daily driver (at least in nice weather) is a 700HP road racer with "TOY4DAD" plates. I applied for "ICRUSHU" for my Jeep but was told it was offensive.
My current project is a '74 Corvette that will have the suspension out of a modern Vette, along with a 600HP LS/6speed combo. Basically a really fast brand new Vette with an old body grafted to it.

Does that mean I am required to Take The Master Diver Challenge???

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Yep and you get the privilege of paying double!

 

[Blackwood]

I I live in Orange County California and could go to a franchise shop such as Sport Chalet or something similar but it is expensive and hard to even get a course scheduled.

That's a big place, and there are a number of dive shops in it. Why are you restricted only to sporting goods stores?

 

[H2O 70]

As mentioned Rescue diver. Why not Divemaster? Also you don't have to go with PADI. There are other agencies out there.

 

[Thalassamania]

You live in SoCal ... want to do something that will have a major effect on your diving skills? LA County Advanced Workshop ... offered every spring I believe.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Hey! I resemble that remark!
One of my other money pits... I mean hobbies... is racing. My daily driver (at least in nice weather) is a 700HP road racer with "TOY4DAD" plates. I applied for "ICRUSHU" for my Jeep but was told it was offensive.
My current project is a '74 Corvette that will have the suspension out of a modern Vette, along with a 600HP LS/6speed combo. Basically a really fast brand new Vette with an old body grafted to it.

Does that mean I am required to Take The Master Diver Challenge???

Yep and you get the privilege of paying double!

Well damn. Is there a time limit?

 

[doc8425]

Thanks! I will check it out!

 

[Mike Boswell]

I am an experienced diver who was originally certified (PADI) 10 years ago. I have been in love with diving ever since. I am now trying to take specialty courses and work on advancing my certification level. (OW,AOW,Nitrox are already in my pocket). PADI is advertising to "Take The Master Diver Challenge". I'd love to but the biggest challenge is finding somewhere to do it. I live in Orange County California and could go to a franchise shop such as Sport Chalet or something similar but it is expensive and hard to even get a course scheduled. I also made the mistake of doing the Nitrox course online. I had to pay for it online and then pay again to do the course at SC. Kind of a big rip-off and it still took 3 months to get my card. Why is it SO difficult? Anyone out there know??

Hi Doc,

Rather than doing online courses or taking them from the bigger stores, I think you would be better served to find a small dive shop that can focus on your goals and provide you with the personalized attention and training you want. We have several of these shops in San Diego and I am not aware of any complaints like the ones you mentioned. I would be very surprised if there aren't several smaller dive shops in your area: I will ask some of my dive friends here and see if they know of a good shop in OC.

As I'm sure you already know, you will need Rescue plus four more specialties, and one of these can be the O2 provider that you will get as part of the Rescue Course. Nitrox you already have, and that is very useful. I took Deep and Nav and got a lot out of them.

I admire people who want to keep learning and moving forward. Good luck.