Dive Master vs Master Scuba Diver

[pir8]

For master diver the specialties required are deep and uw nav. Nitrox counts as do other more useless specialities such as boat diver, fish ID, project aware, etc. If you go for it get some useful ones like search and recovery, night/low vis, drysuit if applicable, wreck, peak buoyancy, etc. Ones that will actually help your skills. The others can be done later when you have money to throw away.

As was said DiveMaster is the first pro level. Some of us refer to it fondly as indentured servitude depending on where you are or who you do the course with. You'll focus alot on theory, teaching methods, organization, and marketing. Your skills will be tested and will need to be demonstration quality. You'll get alot of time in the water and also schlepping gear, cleaning it, putting it away, perhaps "volunteering" at the shop, etc. If you don't plan on ever teaching or trying to work as a divemaster I'd skip it. The theory you can get by reading,the organizational skills by working at most any job, and the marketing is a big waste of time as far as your diving goes.

Actually Deep & Nav are not required for MSD. They are required dives for AOW though.

 

[fisherdvm]

DiveMaster is the first professional level. Most divemaster courses are conducted over an eight to 12 week period. You must pay for liability insurance and membership dues annually.

You don't have to pay for liability insurance, nor do you have to pay your annual membership annually.

It is just like a doctor's medical degree. I can chose not to pay liability insurance, but my butt is not covered. I can chose not to renew my licensure. But I can't practice medicine.

In the same way, getting your divemaster certificate does not require you to renew it. Nor teaching student's require that you are insured. If you are dirt poor, what can they sue you for?

 

[pir8]

You don't have to pay for liability insurance, nor do you have to pay your annual membership annually.

It is just like a doctor's medical degree. I can chose not to pay liability insurance, but my butt is not covered. I can chose not to renew my licensure. But I can't practice medicine.

In the same way, getting your divemaster certificate does not require you to renew it. Nor teaching student's require that you are insured. If you are dirt poor, what can they sue you for?

So then they'll sue whoever else is involved.

 

[fisherdvm]

So then they'll sue whoever else is involved.

I think the average cost of a successful lawsuit is about $100K. If the LDS, the instructor, the assistant instructor, and the divemaster didn't have to money, they'll go after the gear manufacturer, the fin manufacturer, the school that owns the pool, and the wetsuit manufacturer.

Who ever has the deepest pocket, and it could very much be that divemaster who was doing nothing except standing there watching.

 

[SlowRain]

Master Diver for SSI is 5 specialties...one of which must be stress/rescue and I believe 50 dives. They differentiate by having a Master Diver certification and their version of a PADI Divemaster is called a Dive Control Specialist (aka DiveCon). Active DiveCon's must carry liability insurance and pay annual dues.

 

[Divedoggie]

You don't have to pay for liability insurance, nor do you have to pay your annual membership annually.

It is just like a doctor's medical degree. I can chose not to pay liability insurance, but my butt is not covered. I can chose not to renew my licensure. But I can't practice medicine.

In the same way, getting your divemaster certificate does not require you to renew it. Nor teaching student's require that you are insured. If you are dirt poor, what can they sue you for?

Why bother to spend the time and money to become a Divemaster and then NOT be active? There are plenty of people who are no longer active DMs, but they most likely initially paid their insurance and membership fees. Now the OP knows what to expect.

Sure, a person can elect to not pay liability insurance and still be active.
If you are dirt poor and you get sued, the court could garnish future wages, go after relatives, and basically screw you for life. Liability insurance could come in handy. I teach at a University. Both the University and the my LDS require that my DMs are fully insured and current with membership.

 

[DiverBizz]

just for your information

Master Diver PADI 5 specialties
Master Diver SDI 8 specialties

plus all the other requirements

 

[craracer]

I'm a little disheartened to read that, in essence, the PADI master diver course is a waste of time.

I just completed my rescue diver and master scuba diver courses last week. I found the courses to be very demanding and challenging. This may have been due to the diligence of my instructor.

Either way, I feel that my skills have been greatly enhanced. I agree that fish I.D. was somewhat of a joke but, on the other hand I enjoyed learning about the fish and can actually name a few of them now.

I did: underwater nav, search and recovery, deep diving, fish I.D., and peak performance buoyancy. I learned a great deal from each specialty and am glad that I took them. Unfortunately, NITROX was not offered.

IMHO, I learned a vast array of important skills, which greatly enhanced my diving abilities. I am also confident that I can assist other divers who might be in dire need of emergency help.

I didn't "collect cards" just for the prestige. I collected them to improve my diving. How often do you hear people bragging about what credentials they have while on the boat or top-side? I don't ever recall anyone doing so.

I'm sorry if I sound a bit miffed but I worked hard for the certifications. I feel that I have benefited from my hard work. Who knows, I might start working towards my DM certification. I know that my current certifications will serve as building blocks for the DM course and will benefit those whom I might end up teaching.

 

[Don Wray]

I'm a little disheartened to read that, in essence, the PADI master diver course is a waste of time.

I just completed my rescue diver and master scuba diver courses last week. I found the courses to be very demanding and challenging. This may have been due to the diligence of my instructor.

Either way, I feel that my skills have been greatly enhanced. I agree that fish I.D. was somewhat of a joke but, on the other hand I enjoyed learning about the fish and can actually name a few of them now.

I did: underwater nav, search and recovery, deep diving, fish I.D., and peak performance buoyancy. I learned a great deal from each specialty and am glad that I took them. Unfortunately, NITROX was not offered.

IMHO, I learned a vast array of important skills, which greatly enhanced my diving abilities. I am also confident that I can assist other divers who might be in dire need of emergency help.

I didn't "collect cards" just for the prestige. I collected them to improve my diving. How often do you hear people bragging about what credentials they have while on the boat or top-side? I don't ever recall anyone doing so.

I'm sorry if I sound a bit miffed but I worked hard for the certifications. I feel that I have benefited from my hard work. Who knows, I might start working towards my DM certification. I know that my current certifications will serve as building blocks for the DM course and will benefit those whom I might end up teaching.

Congratulations on your accomplishment. Well done.:14:

 

[diverdwn71]

When I did my MD I did DPV, Night, Search and recovery, Underwater Nav, & Boat. Then I went on and got my DM. Now I'm getting ready to go to DUI days and get my Dry Suit class.
Just remember.
P - Put
A - Another
D - Dollar
I - In