Master Diver - worth getting?

[ScubaWithTurk]

Unlike your statement man, anything that piques and maintains interest in diving is priceless

Padi is good

I agree about maintaining interest, never did I say otherwise. However if you are going to spend money, spend money on something that will actually do something for you like give you more depth or additional skills. The Master Diver card is something you pay money for that does nothing, just pay and get a card. IMO, it should be issued for free to anyone who does rescue and 5 specialties (I believe that is the criteria). But one should have more than 50 dives to be called a Master.

Unless the diver is getting discounts from the LDS who issued the cert, I don't see the need. But like all things on a message board, this is my opinion, which you seem to frequently track down and post negatively towards.

As for your last line, I did not bash PADI (it is all caps fyi) nor did I even mention them so it seems strange and totally out of context.

 

[Ben_3]

If you have the pre requisites for MSD it can be cool to have. When someone mentions they have it, it has often sparked a conversation on what specialties they have and their experiences. I'm not a fan of the fees charged for the card but...

 

[Belzelbub]

I agree about maintaining interest, never did I say otherwise. However if you are going to spend money, spend money on something that will actually do something for you like give you more depth or additional skills. The Master Diver card is something you pay money for that does nothing, just pay and get a card. IMO, it should be issued for free to anyone who does rescue and 5 specialties (I believe that is the criteria).

I guess the extra charge for the Master cert is with PADI, right?

SSI does it the way you suggest (not sure about others). I did the following Specialties in roughly the order below. Throughout the process, SSI provided me with additional "certs" free of charge

• Enriched Air Nitrox
• Deep Diving
• Navigation
• Specialty Diver* (Free for completing 2 Specialties)
• Night/Limited Visibility
• Advanced Open Water (Free for completing 4 Specialties)
• Stress & Rescue
• Master Diver** (Free for completing 5 specialties, including Stress & Rescue)

The value is in the specialty courses. Charging a fee for getting the Master Diver card with no additional learning required is just ridiculous.

Notes:
* My EAN course was done prior to SSI changing their system, so it didn't originally show up in the current system. Otherwise, Specialty Diver would have come after EAN and Deep.
** The Master Diver "cert" was not only free with SSI, they also gave me a challenge coin, and my instructor bought me a beer at the monthly get-together (that's shop policy). I was also entered in a contest for a Dive Trip. SSI ANNOUNCES ITS 2023 MASTER DIVER CHALLENGE - DiveNewswire

 

[BlueTrin]

You can continue with this: Beyond Master Scuba Diver

1. Two Star Master Scuba Diver: Complete 10 PADI Specialties with 25 additional open water dives (75 minimum).
2. Three Star Master Scuba Diver: Complete 15 PADI Specialties with 25 additional open water dives (100 minimum).
3. Four Star Master Scuba Diver: Complete 20 PADI Specialties with 25 additional open water dives (125 minimum).
4. Five Star Master Scuba Diver Tech Diver: Complete 20 PADI Specialties, Tec 40, Tec 45and Tec 50 with 25 additional open water dives (150 minimum).

 

[scubadada]

So, I have been a MSD since 2005 and have done no PADI training since. This new ranking seems crazy to me. I have more than 2250 dives. I don't see anything on the PADI website about this new ranking, yet.

 

[TMHeimer]

So, I have been a MSD since 2005 and have done no PADI training since. This new ranking seems crazy to me. I have more than 2250 dives. I don't see anything on the PADI website about this new ranking, yet.

This the first I've heard of it. I'll elect to remain a lowly one star....

 

[boulderjohn]

You can continue with this: Beyond Master Scuba Diver

1. Two Star Master Scuba Diver: Complete 10 PADI Specialties with 25 additional open water dives (75 minimum).
2. Three Star Master Scuba Diver: Complete 15 PADI Specialties with 25 additional open water dives (100 minimum).
3. Four Star Master Scuba Diver: Complete 20 PADI Specialties with 25 additional open water dives (125 minimum).
4. Five Star Master Scuba Diver Tech Diver: Complete 20 PADI Specialties, Tec 40, Tec 45and Tec 50 with 25 additional open water dives (150 minimum).

So, I have been a MSD since 2005 and have done no PADI training since. This new ranking seems crazy to me. I have more than 2250 dives. I don't see anything on the PADI website about this new ranking, yet.

This the first I've heard of it. I'll elect to remain a lowly one star....

This program appears to be offered only one one dive shop and is not a regular PADI offering, although they evidently have PADI's permission to offer it.

It is not new. Here is a thread on it from 3 years ago.

PADI Beyond Master Scuba Diver

I just found out that one dive center is offering PADI Beyond Master Scuba Diver program. You can achieve 5 stars according to this program. This is extract from their website: "As a PADI Master Scuba Diver, you are recognized for having earned all of the core certifications in the PADI...

scubaboard.com

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

People, from tank fillers, to OW divers, to boat captains, to IDC Course Directors, to sorority girls on spring break at COZ will all stand back and stare in AWE when you flip out that little plastic card, fully giving you your due reverence and respect.

Or not.

If you want it, get it.

 

[BoltSnap]

sorority girls on spring break at COZ will all stand back and stare in AWE

Sorority girls are going to throw themselves on you, they ain't standing back

 

[Centrals]

"if you want it, there it is, go and get it".
There is no need to ask any opinion cause it is your money/time etc etc.

BTW, I have done it. Nothing to write home about.