Master scuba diver question

[ScubaFeenD]

After taking the TDI NITROX course, I now understand why they also offer the SDI computer-NITROX course. Math! I had no problem with it (but then again I have a minor in math) but the entire night I kept hearing people in the class "What do these numbers mean?" "Which Formula?" "I'm confused, I think this is another math problem.", etc.

I enjoyed the class because of the math but I do see now why they offer a 'Computer diving' variant.

Calculus 1 freed me of "math" fear. I stopped thinking in equations and started asking myself "what is this actually telling me in real world terms." Helps in all levels of "math" and in the other physical sciences too. But a discussion about mathematics education is beyond the scope of this thread I think?

 

[Mike Boswell]

Calculus 1 freed me of "math" fear. I stopped thinking in equations and started asking myself "what is this actually telling me in real world terms." Helps in all levels of "math" and in the other physical sciences too. But a discussion about mathematics education is beyond the scope of this thread I think?

Yes, math education is beyond the scope of just about any thread these days, except perhaps in India or China.

 

[Crush]

Still unclear on one thing re NAUI MSD-- In addition to the minimum of 8 dives are you also required to have certifications in a number (5?) of specialties?

I was required to do five. You know - boat diving, kayak diving, deep diving (in our case 120 feet*, monitoring narcosis between 70 and 120 feet with manual dexterity tests and mental acuity tests), some kind of eco diving where we were mindful to flora and fauna, and some other dives that I have forgotten.

* diving a 6000 foot elevation makes a dive to 140 feet too perilous in terms of DCS as compared to a dive to 140 feet at sea level.

 

[Crush]

Hi Jeff, I am not familiar with the NAUI course. Would you mind high lighting for me what skills or education I would receive in the NAUI course that I can't get during the PADI courses.

Thanks, I appreciate your time and input.

If you would like a copy of the manual, PM me your fax number and I can send it to you. If you are being a PITA (and I suspect you are), sew another specialty badge onto your jacket.

 

[Damselfish]

Wow, seems like the PADI MSD c-card might represent a more significant training requirement. Regardless, I have have more success with NAUI training (instructor dependent for sure), so I would probably just take the NAUI course anyway.

While that description doesn't really talk about it, I thought the the NAUI Master Diver class also included a non-trivial amount of academics and exam, besides the in water "diving" parts.

Perhaps the PADI card could represent more training in some areas depending on what you choose, but the thing about it is there's less guarantee what it represents as there are no required specialties, and I don't think the card lists your specialties. (Several of the PADI cards can list Nitrox, but that's it.) So you could conceivably take 5 specialties that are all fish ID type courses or things like equipment specialist that don't require any actual diving, never do a night dive, but qualify to buy the same PADI Master Diver card as someone who at least took more meaty specialties.

 

[TMHeimer]

While that description doesn't really talk about it, I thought the the NAUI Master Diver class also included a non-trivial amount of academics and exam, besides the in water "diving" parts.

Perhaps the PADI card could represent more training in some areas depending on what you choose, but the thing about it is there's less guarantee what it represents as there are no required specialties, and I don't think the card lists your specialties. (Several of the PADI cards can list Nitrox, but that's it.) So you could conceivably take 5 specialties that are all fish ID type courses or things like equipment specialist that don't require any actual diving, never do a night dive, but qualify to buy the same PADI Master Diver card as someone who at least took more meaty specialties.

Yes, I took the meaty ones. That's why I try to compare what I did to the NAUI MSD requirements. I've said often that PADI should only include the meaty ones--that is ones that improve your actual diving and/or safety--for the MSD. But in taking 5 of these, I figure I had upwards to 20 dives with an instructor. That would seem to compare OK to NAUI....?

 

[Mike Boswell]

While that description doesn't really talk about it, I thought the the NAUI Master Diver class also included a non-trivial amount of academics and exam, besides the in water "diving" parts.

Perhaps the PADI card could represent more training in some areas depending on what you choose, but the thing about it is there's less guarantee what it represents as there are no required specialties, and I don't think the card lists your specialties. (Several of the PADI cards can list Nitrox, but that's it.) So you could conceivably take 5 specialties that are all fish ID type courses or things like equipment specialist that don't require any actual diving, never do a night dive, but qualify to buy the same PADI Master Diver card as someone who at least took more meaty specialties.

Wrong.

 

[TMHeimer]

I was required to do five. You know - boat diving, kayak diving, deep diving (in our case 120 feet*, monitoring narcosis between 70 and 120 feet with manual dexterity tests and mental acuity tests), some kind of eco diving where we were mindful to flora and fauna, and some other dives that I have forgotten.

* diving a 6000 foot elevation makes a dive to 140 feet too perilous in terms of DCS as compared to a dive to 140 feet at sea level.

So you had to do 5 specialty certifications-- ei-3-4 dives for each and maybe a little classroom? Were these 5 done before enrolling in NAUI MSD or during the MSD course time? Did NAUI issue you a card for each of these 5 specialties?

 

[mjatkins]

If you would like a copy of the manual, PM me your fax number and I can send it to you. If you are being a PITA (and I suspect you are), sew another specialty badge onto your jacket.

I have sent you a personal message.

 

[Damselfish]

Wrong.

how so? AFAIK there's no restriction on which 5 specialties you can take and use for master diver. If there were required specialties and a more limited list of eligible electives it would be different. (though might cut down on the sales of other specialties.)