Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
Padi MSD is a shorter way of saying "AOW + Rescue + 5 specialties and 50 dives." It could be a good goal. But given it can be any 5 specialties, it does not add any specific performance requirement past AOW + Rescue. You could be really good at: Fish Id, Coral Reef Conservation, Boat, Drift, and Altitude diving."Master Scuba Diver" says what about the holder? The ability to attend 5 specialities after Rescue Diver?
Why are you such an ass? It explicitly states that you have OW. AOW, Rescue, 5 specialties, and at least 50 dives. Only Self Reliant Diver, with AOW and 100 dives might trump it. Neither certifies for nitrox."Master Scuba Diver" says what about the holder? The ability to attend 5 specialities after Rescue Diver?
It's not a qualification, it's a marketing tool.
Why are you such an ass? It explicitly states that you have OW. AOW, Rescue, 5 specialties, and at least 50 dives. Only Self Reliant Diver, with AOW and 100 dives might trump it. Neither certifies for nitrox.
Sure, so you are Rescue + nitrox or you are MSD + nitrox, no big deal, as you point out, MSD may have a bit more applicable training, depends on the choices. I think you are incorrect regarding divemaster. We can disagree.As I said, it's not a certification. It's merely Rescue + 5 specialities. Most people by the time they've got to Rescue have two or three specialities: Nitrox, Deep, Drysuit. "Master" Scuba Diver's a way of selling two/three more speciality courses and is somewhat trading on the DiveMASTER course name.
Don't you have to pay PADI for the card - after you've got the 5 specialities?
Apparently $69 per person. Paid directly to PADI with your application.
https://www.scubafrisco.com/master-scuba-diver-certification
Whether the shorthand is worth it depends on you.
ETA: It does provide the boat an assurance that someone else hopefully verified that you have 50 dives.
Let me google that some more for you.$69 to PADI -- that really is money for old rope.
I think you are incorrect regarding divemaster. We can disagree.