Is Master Scuba Diver "worth it" in your opinion

[MntryDvr]

Years ago I encountered a dive student who was a college professor wanting to dive in some lakes In Yosemite for a research project. They told him there he couldn't do it unless he had a Master Scuba Diver Certification. Maybe they were confused. Whatever. We set up program to get him 5 specialty courses tailored to the needs of his research. He became a highly skilled diver in that process and got permission to do his research dives. Everyone was happy. He went on to become a certified cave diver.

That Yosemite thing reminds me of when I wanted to do some diving in Iceland with a drysuit. The company handling the trip required a drysuit certification-- to show I could use my own drysuit. Didn't do the diving.

 

[hroark2112]

Mine was given to me as a joke. A joke is also my opinion of the card.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

The sole benefit of that card is in the amusement of others.

If you do get that card be sure to loudly proclaim multiple times on every dive boat and in every dive shop that you are a 'PADI Master Scuba Diver': usually to folks who have many, many hundreds, if not thousands, of dives.

You may not get the joke, but everyone within earshot will.

 

[Todd Kurth]

I got the Master designation but am still working on a GUE Fundamentals Pass. So, as others have said it doesn’t necessarily carry a lot of weight. But I did sure enjoy getting to that point with my son. Whatever you enjoy and keeps you diving and getting better is a good thing!

 

[TMHeimer]

My favourite MSD story is when I got the patch and put it on my ball cap. Only time I'd wear that was when NOT around other divers. At a campground get together many years ago I was wearing it and a guy said "You're not really an Master Scuba Diver are you". I said "Why yes, I am".

 

[NothingClever]

But they want $65 just to display my card in their app.

That’s just crazy!

 

[NothingClever]

$100 isn’t that bad for a PADI card.

Well, then…I think you should string a bunch together and make a boat coat, sorta like Lady Gaga and her steak dress.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Probably stupid question, but not done with coffee.

Just got my 4th, 5th and 6th specialties (ice, advanced ice and altitude) and have rescue and plenty of dives. Is it 'worth it' for the piece of (not really) plastic to get the MSD cert? I think the only remaining step is to ask and pay ~$100, unless Padi does another waiver this year.

Thoughts?

I've been diving since 1986. My highest Padi cert is rescue diver and BSAC Sports diver ( inlcudes deco training )

I've never bothered to do any specialy dive certs. I've never met anyone with this certification.

If you want better training and a good cert then do the TDI ANDP course.

 

[LI-er]

This topic has been addressed many times on this board.

Usually the responses vary to some degree, it's refreshing to see that here they are unanimous.

I'll chime in and simply ask why would you or anyone else fork out $100 of hard earned cash for a worthless piece of plastic that gives you absolutely nothing in return?

Sure you can tell people you're a "Master Scuba Diver". And so? Non scuba divers will be impressed just by you telling them you are a diver. Experienced dives may give you a nod to acknowledge your self gratifying statement about your new card but inside they're probably laughing at you.

Spend it on Crypto. At the very worse you'll throw it away and it will be a break even.

 

[BabyLitigator]

It’s just an odd price point. I won’t hesitate to buy the hat or t-shirt from almost anywhere I dive, or an aloha shirt if on offer. Purely as a souvenir. That’s crept into the $50-60 range (you would not believe what the fitted baseball caps go for these days). The MSD is a smidge more but not by much.

Had sort of planned MSD as a souvenir for 2024 diving but went off the deep end and did Tec instead and have a trimix card. The last two certs had a bunch of souvenirs included (three patches, a t-shirt and a California Ice Divers fancy towel). Gotta decide if I want one more.