Not allowed on a boat because of your dive agency card?

[Rick Murchison]

You might, given that "Scuba Diver" doesn't mean scuba diver anymore... "Scuba Diver" is the "new" moniker for what is essentially a resort course, half an "Open Water Diver."
From PADI...

Scuba Diver

PADI Scuba Diver Course

Short on time and long on the urge to become a certified diver? The PADI Scuba Diver certification might just be for you. This course requires less time than the PADI Open Water Diver course, covering only the first three of five sections of knowledge development, the first three of five pool sessions, and the first two of four open water training dives, resulting in a limited certification. Particularly if you expect to go scuba diving primarily in the company of a dive guide or if you have limited time to devote to scuba certification, consider becoming a PADI Scuba Diver.

Rick

Do you think I would have any problems with this?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

PADI has a habit of taking terms from other agencies and making them mean something less than they originally meant. "Master Diver" is another such term. Both the YMCA and NAUI were teaching Master Diver courses that had actual content when PADI sniped the term and turned it into a marketing event.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[gypsyjim]

You might, given that "Scuba Diver" doesn't mean scuba diver anymore... "Scuba Diver" is the "new" moniker for what is essentially a resort course, half an "Open Water Diver."
From PADI...




Rick

My original Y cert from '70 simply said Scuba Diver too.

Same words, but a whole different meaning.

 

[Rick Murchison]

My original Y cert from '70 simply said Scuba Diver too.

Same words, but a whole different meaning.

No joke! The closest equivalent to a 1970 YMCA Scuba Diver card from PADI would be Master Diver with a little mild deco thrown in.
Rick

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

I would dare to say that a PADI card from the 1970's meant something much different back then than it does today too.

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

PADI has a habit of taking terms from other agencies and making them mean something less than they originally meant. "Master Diver" is another such term. Both the YMCA and NAUI were teaching Master Diver courses that had actual content when PADI sniped the term and turned it into a marketing event.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

NAUI is STILL teaching a Master Diver course with actual content....and actual dives too. And for me, it's also a marketing event.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

NAUI is STILL teaching a Master Diver course with actual content....and actual dives too.

I know .. I teach the class. My point was that the term had a meaning before PADI ever decided to use it to mean something else.

And for me, it's also a marketing event.

Fair enough ... but it still bears little resemblance to the PADI definition of the term ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

Perfect! I just wanted to make it clear for anyone not familiar with it.

Don't you love it?

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

You know you could give your students a little beanie or patch for completing the master diver challenge too....

 

[Akimbo]

PADI has a habit of taking terms from other agencies and making them mean something less than they originally meant. "Master Diver" is another such term. …

I agree with your assessment of PADI’s even more onerous application, but all recreational groups are guilty. To the best of my knowledge the term originated and was copied from the US Navy where it meant a great deal. I personally feel the use of this title for rookie amateurs demeans those who worked most of their career to earn the coveted US Navy Master Diver pin. A lot of us have known US Navy Master Divers and most wouldn’t win personality contests. But I have never met one that made me think twice about trusting them with my life.

A friend sent an SDI Master Scuba Diver card so I could avoid hassles when traveling. Neither of us felt that even that more qualified name is appropriate given that a 12 year old with 50 dives, all of which could be supervised, can qualify.

Aside from the Navy issue, such marginal requirements demean the value of the card and the organization that issues it. Even if you are a collage swimmer or experienced freediver, how much can anybody “Master” in 50 dives? Several years and perhaps 500-1,000 unsupervised dives at least takes them out of the rookie category.