Question True requirements to deserve the title of Master Diver???

[scubadada]

Have earned a masters degree or higher degree and also dive.

So, I guess I am a Doctor Diver

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

@boulderjohn Yeah, I did similar math and came to about the same conclusion after I made my earlier comment. My question at that point would be...why? Yo-yoing three hundred feet into the ocean, a hundred feet past my MOD, with a razor thin air margin and no backup equipment does not seem even remotely worth doing. What could you possibly see/do down there in the thirty seconds or whatever you're actually at your stop depth that's worth the risk? And if you're ok with being reckless about this stuff, why not just get some trimix fills and do a little DIY tech diving? Sure, it'd still be way more dangerous than actually diving with training, but at least you've got the right gas mixes, equipment, and a plan.

 

[boulderjohn]

What could you possibly see/do down there in the thirty seconds or whatever you're actually at your stop depth that's worth the risk?

In Cozumel, at 300 feet there is old, non-living reef, and everything is kind of a blue/gray color. There aren't many fish. As you ascend, you will find some black coral and lion fish at around 200 feet.

 

[tursiops]

There are three requirements for Master Diver for both levels.

-A propensity to throw away money meaninglessly.

-A burning desire to kick the reef whenever possible and an automatic hostile disposition to anyone who points this out.

-Demonstrable willingness to let everyone else know that you are a “Master Diver” and that you have the morale patch/bumper sticker to prove it.

Meet these three criteria and you will be anointed by the PADI gods themselves.

Nonsense.

 

[Doctor Rig]

I’ve got about 300 logged dives and eligible for “getting” a Master Diver card, which we all know is a meaningless.

Let’s hypothetically change that, tell me what requirements, training, and/or proof of skills would you propose would be required to EARN the deserved recognition of being a true Master Diver. For the sake of our discussion let’s say there are two levels of Master Diver, (1) Recreational and (2) Technical and let’s focus on Recreational for this discussion.

Lots of good thought provoking info, comments and opinions in this thread.

Utilizing this information, I’ve had extensive discussions with an instructor, I’ve used extensively, on the objective of being a “recreational diving master”. With the understanding that I, as a recreational diver, will realistically never be the Jedi “diving master” and that’s fine, but there is plenty of opportunity for me to become a better diver.

We discussed the Naui “Master Diver” coarse and the SDI “Dive Master” coarses in detail. For all the coarses could teach, both the MD & DM would be good routes, but his DM coarse would include everything from the Naui MD coarse and then considerably more, so that’s the route we’re going to take. My instructor accepted my challenge that getting a DM certificate is not my objective, but being an improved all round, situational aware/skilled diver was my intent and desire. Should be fun!

 

[Zach The Diver]

Nonsense.

Not much for exaggerated humor today are we?

 

[tursiops]

Not much for exaggerated humor today are we?

I love it; you get dinged about what was ostensibly meant to be a serious post, and your response is, 'Hey, it was a joke!" Right.

 

[rhwestfall]

Got an email today from my LDS (text from it):

Master Diver Course

NAUI Master Scuba Diver Course – This course is designed to enhance and challenge your diving skills and it is the highest non-teaching recreational certification in the NAUI program. The course consists of 5 lectures and 5 days of diving from various locations throughout our local area. Not only will the Master Diver course help you develop a higher level of skills, it is a great starting point if you are interested in becoming a Divemaster or Instructor.

The Responsible Diver course is required to be taken first. The remaining 5 modules are designed to step up your skills in progressive steps, however, you may take them out of sequence. You will have this year and next year to complete all 5 modules. All lectures will be at Dip ’N Dive from 6pm – 9pm. You have 2 dive seasons to complete the Master Diver Certification if you’re unable to complete everything in one dive season.

Master Diver Certification Prerequisites:

Diver must be an Advanced Diver & Rescue Diver (Rescue Diver needs First Aid CPR/O2 course) upon completion of the Master Diver Course.

1. The Responsible Diver – (Tuesday, 3/25/25) 6pm-9pm

We will review the basics of scuba diving physics and physiology, emergency and rescue procedures, and dive planning in the classroom. The open water dives at Windmill Quarry will evaluate and improve on your skills and include both skin and scuba dives.

2. Diving Environment/Diving Equipment – (Tuesday, 4/1/25) 6pm-9pm

In classroom we will go over different types of cylinders, regulators, exposure suits, dive computers and dive lights. We will cover care and maintenance that you can do yourself, and we will show you what the service techs at the shop do. The open water dive for this module will be a Niagara River Drift Dive. We will show you how to set up a dive like this and each dive team will then scout the area and create a dive plan. We will also discuss the movement of water, marine life, and conservation. Some of the local dive sites and travel destination will be covered. The dives will include some advanced navigation skill, underwater mapping, and a night dive.

3. Shipwreck Diving – (Tuesday, 4/8/25) 6pm-9pm

We will discuss all the facets of shipwreck diving. Research, search and location, laws, hazards, and preservation. The dives will include an orientation dive on a local shipwreck and another dive to record physical measurement to help identify the wreck.

4. UW Navigation/Search & Recovery – (Tuesday, 4/15/25) 6pm-9pm

We will cover how to find objects using several different methods and different types of equipment, and how to retrieve them using the proper rigging and lifting equipment. The dives will include finding a target from approximate coordinates and successfully recovering it.

5. Deep & Simulated Decompression Diving – (Tuesday, 4/22/25) 6pm-9pm

We will cover Decompression sickness, nitrogen narcosis, dive tables, dive computers, equipment, and techniques to successfully complete a deep dive. The dives will be from Osprey Charters in Barcelona, NY* or you may complete them on a Dip ‘N Dive sponsored dive trip to Bonaire! Note: Osprey Charter dive will be a separate charge once we have the reservation made.

Course Cost: $1049 ($100 deposit required to reserve spot, balance is due before the first class)

Deadline to register for the Master Diver Course is Monday, 3/18/25

Have fun debating....

 

[Zach The Diver]

I love it; you get dinged about what was ostensibly meant to be a serious post, and your response is, 'Hey, it was a joke!" Right.

Brother… I don’t know what to tell you if you think that my response was a serious one. You must be fun at parties.

 

[schuylerclark]

Have earned a masters degree or higher degree and also dive.

Funny to bring that up - I know lots of folks with a piece of paper that names them "Masters of Science" and I don't think anyone assumes they are masters of all science. Ditto for the Arts. In fact, lots of them barely know the rudiments of their fields.

It's interesting to me that the way it's been presented by agencies and interpreted by divers has led to this conflation of meanings.