What is your highest certification?

[kelemvor]

Feels odd, skipping tech completely. I guess that would raise too many questions. Such as is tech lower than OWSI or higher?

 

[Bob DBF]

Feels odd, skipping tech completely. I guess that would raise too many questions. Such as is tech lower than OWSI or higher?

You could start a poll. Personally, I wouldn't know where to start, "tech" is a group of advanced recreational specialties gathered under that name in '99 or so. Before that it was just advanced diving and/or just another specialty. Each specialty in tech has there own path of instruction, being a proficient cave diver dosen't make you a rebreather pilot and vice versa. And if you haven't done AOW along the way you may not do a deep dive off a dive boat.

I put this in advance to let everyone thrash out their objections, which seemed to work. Unfortunately I screwed the pooch, by not being in basic, I only got 1 OW diver which must mean that OW is an elite certification here.

The answer I found interesting is there are less MSD than dive professionals (DM being a requirement for instructor), which countered the assertion that that MSDs outnumber DM certs 2 to 1.



Bob

 

[TMHeimer]

With PADI the MSD (IMO) is way easier of course than the DM course, plus there are many just not interested in the teaching aspect. Perhaps an MSD patch can improve your love life while at the bar?

 

[AJ]

You could start a poll. Personally, I wouldn't know where to start, "tech" is a group of advanced recreational specialties gathered under that name in '99 or so. Before that it was just advanced diving and/or just another specialty. Each specialty in tech has there own path of instruction, being a proficient cave diver dosen't make you a rebreather pilot and vice versa. And if you haven't done AOW along the way you may not do a deep dive off a dive boat.

True. IMO tech is not higher or lower than rec, it's different. This poll is about comparable qualifications that are (mostly) ISO certified (therefore quite the same standards and comparable). Tech is almost non comparible between agencies.

 

[Storker]

Perhaps an MSD patch can improve your love life while at the bar?

I guess it's a nice product for those who collect cards as a hobby. And agencies like PADI are businesses. Capitalism 101: if it sells, you may make money by selling it.

That said, my CMAS 3* instructor is open about the fact that he considers some of PADI's teaching materials superior to our Diving Association's CMAS teaching materials. Having taken 4 PADI classes and currently reading our CMAS 3* manual, I don't disagree. At least not yet. I guess the reason is that PADI is in the business of making money (by selling diver training) and thus has a strong motivation for supplying a better product than their competitors do.

 

[TMHeimer]

I guess it's a nice product for those who collect cards as a hobby. And agencies like PADI are businesses. Capitalism 101: if it sells, you may make money by selling it.

That said, my CMAS 3* instructor is open about the fact that he considers some of PADI's teaching materials superior to our Diving Association's CMAS teaching materials. Having taken 4 PADI classes and currently reading our CMAS 3* manual, I don't disagree. At least not yet. I guess the reason is that PADI is in the business of making money (by selling diver training) and thus has a strong motivation for supplying a better product than their competitors do.

Yes. PADI takes some criticism on other aspects, but rarely on the materials. They seem very thorough to me, though at times a bit "wordy". Then again, I've not seen any material from other agencies.

 

[BlueTrin]

Yes. PADI takes some criticism on other aspects, but rarely on the materials. They seem very thorough to me, though at times a bit "wordy". Then again, I've not seen any material from other agencies.

PADI materials are always very clear and easy to understand. I find that some of their slides repeat a bit too much the same information multiple times. This is frustrating at times.

I had the opportunity to read some SSI materials and I like the fact that it is well designed to be used on a phone or tablet. Content is clear and easy to understand as well.

I had to read some BSAC material and wished it was available on a phone, in particular I was shown some slides in class which were not given to me. The material feels more like a small book rather than a presentation. There was one or two questions in exam which required knowledge which I think was not in the booklet although it was covered during the class. The tables were not given to me ‘officially’ by BSAC although there were questions requiring them.

I have some materials from another agency but I don’t want to give any opinion before I have finished the class.

 

[Bob DBF]

Perhaps an MSD patch can improve your love life while at the bar?

I don't know, mine is in a box somewhere and I haven't seen one on a jacket or cap yet, but DM and instructor must work 'cause I've seen quite a number of those on boat coats and such over the years.


Bob

 

[TMHeimer]

I still have my MSD cap and at times wear it when no divers are around. Like in the campground when I guy said "You're not really a Master Scuba Diver, are you"? I said "Why yes, I am".

 

[Centrals]

I still have my MSD cap and at times wear it when no divers are around. Like in the campground when I guy said "You're not really a Master Scuba Diver, are you"? I said "Why yes, I am".

So there is PADI's MSD cap or you just sewn the badge on it.