PADI vs SSI Dive Master cert

[lowwall]

Now that I am getting back into diving and am a little older and have more time and financial freedom, I am looking at working towards my Master Diver certification. I have both a PADI and SSI LDS where I live. My original certification from way back when is through NAUI. I'd like to hear opinions and which you all think is better between the two. Pro's, con's, etc for picking one over the other. Thanks in advance.

Worthwhile certs for all recreational divers are Advanced (AOW for PADI and Advanced Adventurer for SSI) because a lot of ops now require it for some or all dives, Nitrox, and Rescue (Rescue Diver for PADI and Stress and Rescue for SSI). There's no reason to do others unless you have a particular interest in the area covered by the cert.

This is for rec only. If you want to get into technical diving or become a dive professional, you will obviously need more certs.

 

[Ukmc]

SSI master diver is a distinction that does not require any additional payment.
It is hard to argue that Stress and Rescue, Nitrox, Deep, Limited Viz/Night and Nav would not be helpful to a recreational diver.
So why not… give a little motivation and a little direction to a new diver to continue to learn, maybe.
SSI will allow two specialists from PADI towards master certification.

 

[boulderjohn]

Like I said...

Yes. I should have made it clear that I was agreeing with you.

 

[divingdayz]

Following. PADI center in my area closed and I am curious if I can use my PADI certs to qualify for Master diver with another agency,

SSi will recgonise 2 speciality certs from other agencies. The other 3 must come from SSI. One of these certs should be Diver Stress & Rescue (or an equivalent from another agency).