Master scuba diver - why the negativity?

[JeffG]

Sex... right?

and snowboarding

 

[mdb]

If you are not going to it right? Why do it at all?

Who defines "right" ? I doubt it is you, or anyone else for that matter, very relative term indeed.

 

[Crush]

Who defines "right" ? I doubt it is you, or anyone else for that matter, very relative term indeed.

I guess that, after their trip, you can ask his wife if he did it right. Who knows - their recollections of the same event might be very different...

 

[TSandM]

Wow . . . my experience of both is that if you're really good at it, it's MUCH more fun . . .

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

Because the "master scuba diver" certification itself involves no training, no learning, no additional content and is simply paying money for a card. Its for card collectors and egos.

If you want to further your training then great - its a good thing! But MSD card on top of that is just paying money to tell people you've done it.

Well that really depends on what agency because NAUI is far from this statement. It is like 90% book work and hugely based on physics and physiology leading up to an 85 question exam. There are also 8 dives along with this cert. Unlike PADI you need your MD to later advance to Dive master it is not another card after a few specialties. You CAN'T just buy this cert. I am putting in hours a day studying for going on a month learning the Physics. I am sure I would have no problem with the test at this point but I am wanting to advance my education much much further then the min requirments.

Edit: sorry it is a 100 question Exam.

 

[DevonDiver]

The biggest flaw with the MSD program is that it is not cumulative. I mean that (with the exception of rescue diver) the courses are independant specialities and do not enable reinforcement of prior learning. This means that core aspects, like basic dive skills are not refined as the student works towards the rating. Neither does the course specifically address the divers' independance in the water. It should stress issues like dive planning and dive management - where the student demonstrates responsibility for the dive.

I think that MSD would be a lot more respected if it put the student into a position (real or simulated) where they were acting as the most experienced/most responsible diver on the dive. Only when that mindset was ingrained, would a MSD 'stand out' on a dive boat as being a competant, responsible, pro-active and able diver. The MSD should be able to act as a mentor to less experienced divers - but I don't feel that this is achieved with the existing program.

 

[diver 85]

Are you really a master of diving when you receive it??......What's the minimum number of dives to get it??....

 

[aquaregia]

I think that MSD would be a lot more respected if it put the student into a position (real or simulated) where they were acting as the most experienced/most responsible diver on the dive. Only when that mindset was ingrained, would a MSD 'stand out' on a dive boat as being a competant, responsible, pro-active and able diver. The MSD should be able to act as a mentor to less experienced divers - but I don't feel that this is achieved with the existing program.

That sort of sounds like divemaster. If you expect someone to act in that role, there's going to be some manner of liability involved, insurance required, etc. All the liability with none of the employability?

 

[DaleC]

Forget this MSD stuff, I like Rhone mans idea better.
I've tried sex
I've tried snowboarding
but I've never tried sex and snowboarding... I have a feeling this is gonna hurt my back.

 

[DevonDiver]

Actually, I was thinking more along the BSAC model when I wrote that.

However, even for the PADI system.... 2 open water divers can dive independantly after certification. Why does it open the 'libel' doors if one of them was better trained and prepared?