PADI Shark Diver

[XS-NRG]

None of these specialties count for anything though do they? I can't use them to get a master rating right?

 

[Thiad]

I was told you can't use them for much of anything except having a good time and maybe learning something.

 

[coldwatercanada]

i don't believe so there more for Card collectors and or people seeking more info in a specific area or animal.

 

[Hawkwood]

None of these specialties count for anything though do they? I can't use them to get a master rating right?

As a matter of fact, some Distinctive Specialties can be used towards the MSD rating.

Since your original question involved a distinctive specialty course around sharks, how about this for the answer:

"Divers may credit AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty certification toward PADI Master Scuba Diver rating"

 

[Hank49]

I wonder if in the future, like 50 years or so from now, if these seemingly insignificant certification cards will be worth lots of money? Like what say.... a Sandy Kofax or Frank Robinson baseball card in mint condition is worth today?

 

[XS-NRG]

As a matter of fact, some Distinctive Specialties can be used towards the MSD rating.

Since your original question involved a distinctive specialty course around sharks, how about this for the answer:

"Divers may credit AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Distinctive Specialty certification toward PADI Master Scuba Diver rating"

Oh right on!!! :cool2:

 

[Thalassamania]

I wonder if in the future, like 50 years or so from now, if these seemingly insignificant certification cards will be worth lots of money? Like what say.... a Sandy Kofax or Frank Robinson baseball card in mint condition is worth today?

Tell you what, I'll take bids on my U.C. Berkeley Research Diver Card (1973) a major rarity, and my NAUI Instructor Card (1976). Reserves are in effect, so bid high.

 

[HazardSports]

It is a "legit" PADI course but as others have already mentioned I think it is more of a specialty awareness type thing. I began researching this type of thing after seeing one of my favorite episodes of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory when he goes to Stewarts Cove to dress into a shark suit and get bit by a shark (HYSTERICAL - you have to watch it)

Fantasy Factory episode: Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory | Ep. 7 | 'Shark Sugar' | MTV

Here are 2 links to Stuart's Cove website which states "Shark Awareness Diver
Distinctive Specialty which counts towards Master Diver."

Stuart Cove

Stuart Cove

Here is the link to PADI's website page in which they use the phraise "PADI Shark Awareness Specialty course." and have a link to stewart's cove.

Dive Bahamas

Other similar courses are offered such as one stating "co-authored by PADI Course Director Peter Wilcox and Shark Biologist/IDC Staff Instructor Giacomo Palavicini." in which 2 Shark dives are done:

Shark Legacy Project | PADI Shark Diver Course | Roatan Honduras

And a link to PADI's website of most popular "Specialty Courses" people choose on the way to Master rating, (however shark's not mentioned here):

Learn Popular Specialty Scuba Diving Courses from Enriched Air Nitrox to Deep Diving and more at PADI Scuba Diving Training Organization

While not on my list of immediate priorities - i DO plan on doing it for the "fun factor" but not sure when I'm going to make it happen.

Good luck and keep us all up to date if you choose to do it !

 

[Trace Malinowski]

I don't know about anyone else here, but I've been diving for over 30 years and I still don't feel like a "master scuba diver." But, then again I only have one PADI certification card - Underwater Habitat Specialist.

 

[currier]

couldn't help myself ...

YAh i can't wait till im a beaver diver trainer

It's been a long time since I was there, but 15 years ago or so, there was a dive shop in Beaver Creek Colorado called Beaver Divers . . . just up the road a tad from Vail, high in the Rocky Mountains . . .
- Tim

Well, we used to have a poster at the hotel advertising beaver safaris..

My apologies to the OP, and all the respectable SB members providing helpful advice in this thread ...
But I couldn't help myself!
When I was living in North York, I'd often pass this shop along my way on Bathurst -