PADI Master Scuba Diver Info

[ScubaCruiser]

Anyone know if the Equipment Specialist Specialty can go towards the PADI Master Scuba Diver Certification. I can't seem to get PADI to answer my e-mails with the question and the dive shop is not sure it qualifies.

 

[TMHeimer]

Yes. It was one of the 5 specialties I had at the time to get the MSD. I believe any specialty counts-Distinctive ones included . Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[RJP]

...and the dive shop is not sure it qualifies.

Irrespective of whether it does or doesn't qualify (it does) is your local shop actually so inept (or so uncaring) that they are incapable of opening the instructor manual and reading the certification requirements directly from the Master Scuba Diver section?

• 12 years old Note: 12-14 year old divers may earn Junior Master Scuba Diver certifications.
• Certified as a PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Diver, a PADI (Junior) Rescue Diver,
• Certification in five PADI Specialty or TecRec courses. Note: Specialty diver or TecRec certifications must be PADI – no other certifications qualify.
• Logged 50 dives

 

[ScubaCruiser]

Thanks Tom H. and RJP. I'll fill out the application now. Still plan on taking more classes, but thought I'd apply for the Master Scuba Diver since I have Equipment Specialist, Nitrox, Underwater Photo, Aquarium Diver, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. My kids were hoping I could reach my goal of getting the certification even though I don't need it to dive. Just something to achieve for myself.

 

[Remy B.]

I don't know your preferences but SDI can offer good options as well as some other courses that no one else have like the ERDI ones, I'm not sure if they can take in account your previus cources with other agencies but I think they do.

I only can tell you that the TDI nitrox course is far better than the Padi one, study materials EAD tables Air tables are very nice made

 

[RJP]

I only can tell you that the TDI nitrox course is far better than the Padi one, study materials EAD tables Air tables are very nice made

You've taken both courses? What constitutes "far better" in your experience? Does SDI cover some mystical nitrox incantations that PADI is unaware of? Does SDI perhaps use a higher grade plastic than PADI does for their "very nice made" tables?

 

[Oldbear]

I don't know your preferences but SDI can offer good options as well as some other courses that no one else have like the ERDI ones, I'm not sure if they can take in account your previus cources with other agencies but I think they do.

I only can tell you that the TDI nitrox course is far better than the Padi one, study materials EAD tables Air tables are very nice made

You've taken both courses? What constitutes "far better" in your experience? Does SDI cover some mystical nitrox incantations that PADI is unaware of? Does SDI perhaps use a higher grade plastic than PADI does for their "very nice made" tables?

RJP,

He said the "TDI" is better than the PADI EAN course, not the "SDI" course is better than the PADI course; different courses with the TDI course a little more detailed.

Remy,

The OP was talking about a PADI program not a SDI/TDI program. So I am not sure of why you posted your promotion for TDI's Nitrox course. That is not what the OP asked for.

But since we are off topic:

The SDI Nitrox course is virtually the same course as the PADI Nitrox course; both meet ISO 11107 standards. These courses cover basic EAN 22% - 40%, analyzing and marking tank, dive computer use. These are both recreational courses.

The TDI Nitrox course includes table calculations since it is an introduction to Tech Diving Gas Management...this class is not targeting recreational divers.

So to compare the TDI Nitrox course to the PADI Nitrox course is like comparing an apple to an orange. If you want to learn tables than the TDI is probably more of what you are looking for than the PADI Nitrox course. If you have no desire to engage the tables and what to strictly enjoy being a recreational diver than the PADI Nitrox course would be the preferred course...or the SDI Computer Nitrox course.

To say one is better than another one is a little bit presumptuous. Each diver dives for their own reasons, thus their training is also individualized.

But when it comes right down to all three of these courses it is the "Instructor" that makes the course "better".

BTW...Yes the PADI Equipment Specialist course applies to the PADI Master Diver program :d

 

[RJP]

RJP,

He said the "TDI" is better than the PADI EAN course, not the "SDI" course is better than the PADI course; different courses with the TDI course a little more detailed.

SDI vs TDI typo on my part. The TDI course may well be more detailed than the SDI course. Either way, someone who hasn't taken both the TDI course and the PADI course would be hard pressed to say which is best.

I have taken the TDI Nitrox course and have all of those materials... I can't see any significant difference between the TDI course and what is contained in the PADI Nitrox materials and/or taught during the PADI Nitrox courses I've been present for.

Nothing unique or particularly "detailed" about the TDI Nitrox Course:

What you can expect to learn:

• The benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for using nitrox mixes from 22 through 40 percent oxygen content
• Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures

What’s in it for you?

• Ability to dive utilizing EAN-22 to EAN-40 without direct supervision
• Ability to enroll in TDI Advanced Nitrox, TDI Decompression Procedures, TDI Semi-closed Rebreather courses

TDI Nitrox Diver minimum requirements:

• Demonstrate understanding of EAD calculations
• Perform oxygen analysis for nitrox mixtures
• Satisfactorily complete the TDI Nitrox course and written examination

 

[Omisson]

The PADI MSD is unfortunately ANY 5- that's just a shame. It should require:

EANx, Deep, U/W Navigation

And two specialties - only one of which can be a non dive specialty (oxygen provider, equipment, AWARE).

Plus nontraining -100 dives

That would be a real MSD.

 

[RJP]

The PADI MSD is unfortunately ANY 5- that's just a shame. It should require:

EANx, Deep, U/W Navigation

And two specialties - only one of which can be a non dive specialty (oxygen provider, equipment, AWARE).

Plus nontraining -100 dives

That would be a real MSD.

Sort of makes some kind of sense. However, suppose the diver dives in an area where EANx isn't readily available, is crazy expensive, or simply not needed. Why force them to take a specialty that has zero relevance to them? Same case could be made for almost any specialty cert.

Additionally, there's been plenty of discussion about the value of any arbitrary number of dives... for any certification. You could have one diver with 100 "near miss" dives all in the same quarry where they crawled all over the bottom, bicycle kicked everywhere, got lost, corked, plummeted, and barely got back to the exit point with 100psi in their tank... and another with half as many dives in a wide variety of environments showing pinpoint buoyancy control, efficient trim/propulsion, excellent attention to planning, and all other manner of skills. The former could be an MSD (and a DM or Instructor) while the latter can't?

Remember MSD is a "recognition" rather than a "certification" in actuality.

I like where you're going, but let's go all the way and make MSD (and AOW) a proficiency-based certification rather than an experience-based recognition.