MSD cost

[MSilvia]

One of the advantages is if you are planning to take your Diving into the "Pro" area. Just like any other Job market out there Continuing education helps. Everyone that is in a Hiring position knows that they will pick the applicant with more/higher certifications over the applicant that has only the minimum requirement.

I agree... which is yet another reason I think actual education is more meaningfull than an additional card reiterating that you completed prior training.

Is it worth $20 to get the recognition and title? Yes. To me.

Fair enough. IMHO, I don't think much of recognition that isn't given freely.

 

[Joe-Diver]

I do believe that you can get the EANx certification printed on your card. I've requested it on mine and was told at my LDS they'll do it for your Divemaster card...so I'd think they'd do it for any card. Take this with a grain of salt as I don't have any actual first hand experience with this....maybe some Instructors or LDS owners could chime in...

 

[GA Under Water]

Does the card list all of your PADI certs on it? How is it any better than (for example) showing Rescue Diver and nitrox cards and claiming you have night diving experience?
So far, I haven't seen any need to bring more than those two cards unless I need to get a trimix fill in a new area. Would MSD let me get by without the nitrox card? If it did, I suppose I could see an advantage in bringing one card instead of two, but I don't know if it would be worth $41 dollars.

2 cards is better than 9 I am sure you would still have to take Gas cards (EANx, trimix, etc etc) but do you think you would have to carry your "AOW" card for anything anymore? I went and bought Business Card Holder pages and they all stay nice and neat in my Log so number of cards isn't an issue. I don't think you would ever be questioned about a dive with a charter if you have the MSD. From what I hear AOW will get you pretty much set for all charter dives so it isn't needed. Just like an MCSE for a helpdesk position, it isn't required, but it helps with your pro career and that is why I sending mine in.


This makes me wonder, do I have one extra card? I have "Adventure Diver" which was after the first 3 dives on the way to AOW. UGH maybe I should call myself a "card Collector"

 

[MSilvia]

I would hate to have completed all the mentioned above courses and get nothing for it.

I guess that's a fundamental difference in our thinking. For me, the goal of training was always to fill a gap in my skills and knowledge. I did it to become a better diver, not to get a title or backpack. When I do dives I wasn't able to do in the past, THAT is the reward I get for my trouble.

 

[matt_unique]

I agree... which is yet another reason I think actual education is more meaningfull than an additional card reiterating that you completed prior training.

Fair enough. IMHO, I don't think much of recognition that isn't given freely.

I was just thinking about my BS degree. I had completed all the necessary courses/credits but the university required $40 for me to get a paper copy of the degree. I have never been required, or know of anyone who has been required to produce anything beyond a transcript. The framed paper copy is for our offices/wall of accomplishment and of course the value is what it represents.

We're all little boys at heart, and I want my golden certificate if I did the work required for it..he he. Though I think some confuse the concept of the physical card with the fact that you have to complete 8 certifications/50 dives to get it.

--Matt

 

[MSilvia]

I am sure you would still have to take Gas cards (EANx, trimix, etc etc) but do you think you would have to carry your "AOW" card for anything anymore?

Nope, but I don't see any advantage in carrying MSD and Nitrox cards instead of AOW or Rescue and Nitrox. Two cards is two cards, and they take up the same space in my wallet. Actually, I prefer just carrying my Rec. Trimix card for consolidation purposes when I go places that will recognise it, but that's a different story.

 

[GA Under Water]

I guess that's a fundamental difference in our thinking. For me, the goal of training was always to fill a gap in my skills and knowledge. I did it to become a better diver, not to get a title or backpack. When I do dives I wasn't able to do in the past, THAT is the reward I get for my trouble.

Don't take me wrong, I didn't start getting specialties just to get MSD. MSD just happens to be a reward to me for completing the specialties I have. I actually have the KRs done for a couple more specialties, Night, Wreck, digital Photo and all the KRs done from the Adventures manual. I just need the Dives and a PIC I did pick up 7 specs before sending in for MSD.

 

[Gil57usa]

I have been Diving for awhile now and have the PADI OW, AOW and Nitrox certs. I have my own boat that I dive from most of the time, but no Boat diving cert. I dive at night often, but no Night diver cert. I practice Navigation on every dive, but no Navigation cert. I take a lot of pictures, but no Photog cert. I dive well past 100 feet on most dives, but no deep diver cert.

Personally, I took the certification classes I did so I could learn the basics and get nitrox fills. Everything beyond that was a matter of gaining experience by diving with other more advanced divers that took me under their wings and shared their knowledge and experience. If I had the money to spend taking all the classes, I would have the MSD cert. It is an accomplishment worth noting and it does take more than writing a check to get it. Congratulations. For myself, I put my money into buying quality equipment and diving as often as possible. I have gained much experience and consider myself a well rounded Diver. I know my qualifications and am comfortable not having the MSD card to prove it.

There are some who take all the classes as fast as they can and collect all the cards, and are still marginal divers. There are others who don't take the classes, dive often, and are phenominal divers. I personally know some who are "Master Divers" and I shudder to get in the water with them. To each their own. There is no need to take cheap shots here.

 

[Joe-Diver]

Me too....In addition to the one's I've completed, I'm working on:

Night Diver
Underwater Navigation
Wreck Diver
Altitude Diver
Underwater Naturalist
Computer Assisted Diver (multilevel)

I've got the KR's done for a few, some dives done on others, etc...all in various stages of completion. My LDS has a "Season Pass" you can buy for $699...take all the specialties you want for 12 months, including DAN classes. I'm taking everthing I possibly can. They don't do Ice, Cavern and Rebreather though.

 

[k4man]

Me too....In addition to the one's I've completed, I'm working on:

Night Diver
Underwater Navigation
Wreck Diver
Altitude Diver
Underwater Naturalist
Computer Assisted Diver (multilevel)

I've got the KR's done for a few, some dives done on others, etc...all in various stages of completion. My LDS has a "Season Pass" you can buy for $699...take all the specialties you want for 12 months, including DAN classes. I'm taking everthing I possibly can. They don't do Ice, Cavern and Rebreather though.

actually a great deal if you consider that the minimum course cost is around $175 and some of the courses can go between $300-350 each.....If my LDS offered this, I would certainly take advantage of it. Additionally, whether it be the brainchild of PADI or the LDS, another advantage of this program (as well as MSD) is what we all need and want...

It encourages us to GO OUT & DIVE MORE FREQUENTLY, which helps to make us all better, safer divers.

Happy diving!

PS--if it makes anyone feel better (or worse) I paid $50 for my MSD c-card!