Master Diver vs. DM

[scubaspider]

Guys, I have a question: What;s the difference between a DM and SSI Master diver? If anyone can answer this for me that would be great, I"m only 16 dives away from Master diver so I kinda want to know what the differences are before I go ahead and get the Master diver cert. and then be held liable if they are the same or simular.

Thanks,

 

[pt40fathoms]

A DM or Dive Master is a professional rating that entails months of training and work. In the end a DM must carry liability insurance and is often tasked with supervising student divers on a course, or certified divers on excursions or trips.

A Master Scuba Diver is a recreational level rating, which is obtained when a diver has completed 5 specialty courses and has a minimum number of dives. The Master Scuba Diver cannot supervise or act in a supervisory capacity of other divers at any time, as they do not have the requisite training, experience or insurance.

The definition may vary somewhat from one agency to another, however the basic premises is the same as with the PADI standards, where only a DM, Assistant Instructor, Instructor, or higher level of “professional” level of certification, can supervise other divers or students and receive monetary compensation for this service.

Hope this answers your question.

 

[H2Andy]

yup... think of it as two different "tracks". The DM is on the professional (will eventually teach others) track, and the Master Diver is on the private (will hopefully become a better diver) track.

personally, i don't put much stock on the Master Diver label. It's more like jumping through hoops for a title than a real rating.

That's just me.

 

[Diver Lori]

The way it was explained it to a group of students....

DM--a professional track and rating.

MasterDiver--a personal enrichment track.

 

[Bubble Blower 479]

In the SSI system, DiveCon is the Dive Master/Assistant Instructor rating. As a Master Diver you will not have any professional liability unless you "claim" something you are not.

 

[El Orans]

A Master Scuba Diver is a recreational level rating, which is obtained when a diver has completed 5 specialty courses and has a minimum number of dives.

For PADI, you have to be Rescue Diver with 50 dives and any 5 specialties. So you could choose several lightweight specialties to become a Master Diver.

 

[grazie42]

The only thing, IMO, that Master Scuba Diver (PADI, which is the only one I know the prereqs 4) says to me is that you thought it was worth spending X$ to get a piece of plastic that says you´re a master-whatever...oh and that you have 50 dives...I´d spend the money on something useful like...uh...uw-radio?

No offence...

 

[MonkSeal]

The only thing, IMO, that Master Scuba Diver (PADI, which is the only one I know the prereqs 4) says to me is that you thought it was worth spending X$ to get a piece of plastic that says you´re a master-whatever...oh and that you have 50 dives...I´d spend the money on something useful like...uh...uw-radio?

No offence...

NAUI has also Master Diver qualification and it's not only a formality.

 

[DORSETBOY]

There are a lot of lightweight spec's you can do to get the master diver rating with padi, there are many spec's at recreational level that are worth doing and much depends on what areas you want to develop. I dont think it's worth doing the MSD for the sake of getting the rating itself though.

 

[scubatoys]

With Padi, it's basically an excuse to sell you a card that said you bought 5 other cards...` Gotta love the mareketing! But with Naui, a Master Diver course takes you through Instructor level knowledge. You have to work on advanced physics questions, know your gas laws forwards and backwards, equipment knowledge... etc. For Naui it's really the same knowledge level as Dive Master... just not going to be dealing with people... So it's really a course, instead of a fee to pickup another card.