Difficulty in getting courses and specialties.

[doc8425]

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??

 

[Sas]

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??

Given you already have AOW + nitrox, as well as at least 200 dives, I see no value in the Master Dive Challenge (*flame suit ON*). I think Rescue would be the next best step. The expense is worth it. The specialties are not really worth the price unless you are new and need a few more dives with an instructor to become comfortable. And even then I think you are better off finding an experienced buddy (Scubaboard and other forums can be helpful there, or a dive club), and getting them to show you the ropes.

 

[Damselfish]

Take Rescue. Don't worry about specialty courses unless there is something you really want to take that will do you some good. Forget about accumulating 5 specialties just to get the privilege of buying a Master Diver card (which many people just see as a sign of a card collector, rather than a master of anything.) The Master Diver Challenge is simply a marketing thing to encourage people to take more specialties, which is how PADI makes their money. Nothing wrong with that, but no need to contribute unnecessarily.

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.

why?

 

[Thalassamania]

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.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Hey I resemble that remark I have vanity plates but no Master Scuba Diver card. Mine say
SOLO DVR.

 

[ajduplessis]

It is sad that you struggle getting courses scheduled, would have though they agencies there (OCC) would be on the ball. It is even sadder waiting so long to get your cards, however they should be able to provide you with a temporary card while you wait?

Hopefully here are some good quality instructor in your area that will be able schedule the courses you intend to complete out in no time, and get the administration do quickly.

Someone referred to a rescue course, I am also a avid supporter of the rescue courses and would love to see it compulsory in Scuba, it just make the scuba community a much more safer and knowledgeable environment.

 

[blue steal]

You could take a dive vacation. For myself, I am going back over to the Philippines to take SSI advanced open water and Nitrox, plus time permitting Stress and Rescue from SSI. It is quite a bit cheaper to take the courses there than here in CA. I use a great diveop in the PI with good instructors. The course is a bit less than here, but it is all inclusive; boat/gear/manuals/instructor/place to stay/food/beer, and lots of diving at maybe 1/4 of the cost here in CA.

 

[Peter Guy]

I am now trying to take specialty courses and work on advancing my certification level.

Why do you want to "work on advancing [your] certification level?" What is your goal?

When you find the answers to those two questions, go find an instructor, buddy or mentor, who will help you reach your goal.

I had the wonderful experience of taking diving lessons from a fabulous instructor. His belief was that if you learn the skills, the card will follow. It ain't a card that makes you a diver -- it is the skills and ability.

BTW, I'm a PADI instructor but I suppose I'm sometimes off the reservation with my beliefs.

 

[blue steal]

I had the wonderful experience of taking diving lessons from a fabulous instructor. His belief was that if you learn the skills, the card will follow. It ain't a card that makes you a diver -- it is the skills and ability.

Totally agree. Great instructor+skills learned

 

[Thalassamania]

Hey I resemble that remark I have vanity plates but no Master Scuba Diver card. Mine say
SOLO DVR.

Gee ... can I send you a list of shops that would love to sell you a card ... err ... help you further your diving educational goals?