Question regarding NAUI master diver cert

[bruehlt]

I have been diving for about 4-5 years now (since I moved to FL). I recently completed my 80th dive in Bimini (Bahama's) a couple of weeks ago. I was considering getting my Master Diver Cert from NAUI ever since I was OW certified. Does NAUI require you to obtain the advanced card before going on to the master diver - or is it discretionary, ie - if I have enough experience, I can get the master card and bypass the advanced card.

 

[netmage]

I imagine they require AOW first. Fundamentally the MD program is the academics of most agencies DM program with roughly double the number of dives. (Or at least it was when I took it)

edit: let me clarify - a few more dives than AOW requires...

 

[MB]

Does NAUI require you to obtain the advanced card before going on to the master diver - or is it discretionary

Most folks take a master diver class once they've taken an advanced or rescue class, but it is not required. Some instructors will grant an advanced card as part of the MD class. You should know that NAUI's approach to the master diver class differs significantly from other agencies. The NAUI master diver class is designed to teach "instructor level" skills and knowledge, as well as broaden a diver's experience and exposure to different diving conditions. Its a fun class that include a ton of academics as well as the dives.

Enjoy! Let us know how the class goes.

 

[neil]

NAUI requires NAUI Advanced or "equivalent". It can be up to the instructor's discretion, but they are supposed to ensure the diver has the equivalent knowledge and capability.
In short, no, you don't necessarily need the Advanced card.
Neil

 

[Sideband]

I enterpreted that to mean an advanced OW card from another agency.

Joe

 

[chickdiver]

It can mean an AOW card from another agency, OR if you have significant experience, and can prove such with a logbook, an instructor may allow that as "equivalent knowledge and experience". Personally (I am a NAUI Instructor) if I were to consider a candidate on experience rather than certification, I would be looking for at least a hundred dives in varied environments.

 

[mike_s]

from http://www.naui.org/training/master.html

Naui Master Scuba Diver
PREREQUISITES FOR ENTERING THE COURSE
* Age. Minimum is 15 years.

* Diver Certification. NAUI advanced certification or the equivalent is required. The instructor is to ensure adequate student knowledge and capability before any open water training and shall use skill or other evaluations to do so.

* Equipment. Students shall furnish and be responsible for the care and maintenance of their own diving equipment. The instructor shall initially assist the student in checking all student gear to insure it is adequate and in proper working order.

 

[jimmac]

If you can find an instructor and prove your skills adequiently and have a complete dive log you should be able to get Master diver. A card really tells nothing about a diver these days. I have seen many open water certified divers that look better in the water than many instructors. It is really depended on the original training you recieved and the amount of diving experience and the lvl of comfort a diver has in the water. From what i've been told in the old days of diving an advanced open water required a significant profiencey in the water, probably closer to an instructor certification now days. This varys from every instructor and diver, and there are still many "good" instructors, but the level of training required for certification is on a steep incline. Back in the day you'd have to do an emergency out of air assent from 90 feet, regulator out of your mouth for instructor. Some instructors now can't even preform a no breath ditch and dawn or a "decent" mask clear.


EDIT "steep decline"
this sounds bitter. But man watching some people dive pi$$es me off

 

[bruehlt]

Thanks for the replies. I have been diving with the same instructor for the past 5 years. He has seen my diving progress from the standard OW to where I am today (80 dives). Most of the dives I have completed qualify as AOW dives, according to NAUI (night dives, navigation dives, deep dives, wreck dives).

I agree with a few posts that state that skills, moreso a card will determine a diver's ability - however, for advancement its required to carry a card. Someday I want to get into rebreather certification, or possibly some other technical field of diving (trimix, etc). Having the documented proof of such skills can help!

 

[phylo]

Im assuming you mean Dive Master and not Master Diver as they are two verry different things, although you will be studying out of the Master Diver book.

Not only will you need a NAUI AOW Cert you will also need a Rescue Diver Cert as well.. I know, I just finished my DM about a month or two ago..

Some things you should ask yourself before you spend a bunch of money is why you want to get this lever of certification? Do you plan to go on to be an instructor at some point? are you planning on working a boat? Do you expect to make any kind of money being a DM (if so I would talk to some of your local DM's and see what they make.) Im sure you will get a lot of replies to your question and I hope my has been at least a little helpfull..

Have fun
Phil
NAUI Dive Master.

I have been diving for about 4-5 years now (since I moved to FL). I recently completed my 80th dive in Bimini (Bahama's) a couple of weeks ago. I was considering getting my Master Diver Cert from NAUI ever since I was OW certified. Does NAUI require you to obtain the advanced card before going on to the master diver - or is it discretionary, ie - if I have enough experience, I can get the master card and bypass the advanced card.