NAUI Master Scuba Diver: what exactly is it

[Coldwater_Canuck]

Out of curiosity I started looking at the NAUI Master Scuba diver program, after seeing it mentioned on here. Now I have no background with NAUI so have only been pounded by PADI's promotional items about their "Master Scuba Diver" which is really different.

I guess there's 3 main questions I have.

1.)
The course looks to me somewhat like an Advanced Open Water course in that it's a bunch of specialties. Now with AOW (at least for PADI) the relation between it and specialty courses is fairly obvious: the "adventure dive" is supposed to be the first dive of the specialty.

So my question is, how does Master Diver fit in with specialty courses? Is it supposed to be taken after a number of specialties, be taken in place of specialties (teach same material), or be taken before specialties? For example, how does the navigation portion match up with a navigation specialty? Does the deep dive also give you the 130 foot limit like the deep diver course, etc?

2.) Who is this geared towards? Is it generally for people with 100s of dives or is it more just something to do after AOW?

3.) Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to require a Rescue course as a pre-req, and while I see there is a rescue dive included, it would make NAUI Master Scuba the only MSD cert not to require a dedicated rescue class. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks in advance!

[TMHeimer]

From what I've read, it's sort of like PADI Divemaster course without the teaching aspect. I believe Rescue is part of the Naui MSD, as opposed to a pre-req. with PADI. Naui has some pretty tough swim requirements for MSD, much like PADI DM. Also, I believe there is a written test for Naui MSD. PADI MSD is 50 logged dives, Rescue diver and any 5 specialties.

[Jeff Toorish]

The NAUI Master Scuba Diver certification is not at all the same as the PADI and SSI Master Scuba Diver programs. Essentially, for PADI (as I understand it as I am not a PADI instructor) and certainly for SSI, the Master Diver "certs" are essentially cards bestowed on divers who have completed Stress/Rescue Diver and logged 50 dives (if memory serves).

The NAUI Master Diver is actually a course. It comes after AOW and before Rescue Diver. It involves things like emergency procedures and rescue and deep/simulated decompression diving. There are a minimum of eight open wate dives.

There is quite a bit more, these are merely some examples. I would not call the course anything similar to a divemaster course, as PADI's divemaster and SSI's divecon courses are professional level leadership courses.

Jeff
NAUI Instructor #50834
SSI AOWI #27375

[Web Monkey]

The NAUI Master Scuba Diver certification is not at all the same as the PADI and SSI Master Scuba Diver programs. Essentially, for PADI (as I understand it as I am not a PADI instructor) and certainly for SSI, the Master Diver "certs" are essentially cards bestowed on divers who have completed Stress/Rescue Diver and logged 50 dives (if memory serves).


SSI Master Dive requires OW + 4 complete specialty classes and 50 dives. One of the specialties must be Stress and Rescue. Also each of the specialties requires a number of dives (depends on the class).

Terry

[OldNSalty]

So it sounds like this course might actually be worth while. Does it help if you decide to go down the DM/Instructor path one day?

[annasea]

As a NAUI-trained diver, I was curious about the answer. According to the NAUI website... Master Scuba Diver (http://www.naui.org/master_scuba_diver.aspx).

Jeff Toorish, here's a link to NAUI's training progression (http://www.naui.org/training_progression.aspx).

[Web Monkey]

So it sounds like this course might actually be worth while. Does it help if you decide to go down the DM/Instructor path one day?

SSI or NAUI?

Can't speak for NAUI, but the classes required for SSI Master Diver are also required for DiveCon & Instructor, so it's certainly not a waste. And regardless of what you do with it later, Stress & Rescue is an excellent class.

If you only plan on taking one extra class past OW, it should be Stress & Rescue.

Terry

[OldNSalty]

Yep-Already done the rescue and the advanced but wasn't interested in master diver if all it amounted to was a recognition of past classes and dives.

[Coldwater_Canuck]

The NAUI Master Scuba Diver certification is not at all the same as the PADI and SSI Master Scuba Diver programs. Essentially, for PADI (as I understand it as I am not a PADI instructor) and certainly for SSI, the Master Diver "certs" are essentially cards bestowed on divers who have completed Stress/Rescue Diver and logged 50 dives (if memory serves).

The NAUI Master Diver is actually a course. It comes after AOW and before Rescue Diver. It involves things like emergency procedures and rescue and deep/simulated decompression diving. There are a minimum of eight open wate dives.

There is quite a bit more, these are merely some examples. I would not call the course anything similar to a divemaster course, as PADI's divemaster and SSI's divecon courses are professional level leadership courses.

Jeff
NAUI Instructor #50834
SSI AOWI #27375

Thanks Jeff, but as a NAUI instructor would you be able to answer the specific questions I asked in the first post? I've read up the description on NAUI's site, but I'm not quite clear what level the dives are aimed at and how this fits in with specialties and other courses.

[Thalassamania]

Master Diver is NAUI's highest level of non-leadership certification. The NAUI Master Diver should be every bit as knowledgeable about diving and every bit as competent in that water as a NAUI Instructor, the only difference should be the how to teach stuff and the topics concerning how NAUI operates.

[Kingpatzer]

I'm a huge proponent of the NAUI Master Diver course. I learned far more about diving from that one course than from any other course I've done since, including the PADI professional courses I've done.

It will make anyone who passes it a much better and more knowledgeable diver (well, unless they've already been through courses that have that level of rigor -- which tends to be found in technical courses, but not recreational ones).

It's a great course and well worth it.

[Jeff Toorish]

SSI Master Dive requires OW + 4 complete specialty classes and 50 dives. One of the specialties must be Stress and Rescue. Also each of the specialties requires a number of dives (depends on the class).

Terry

Yes, I know.

My point was that SSI does not require a specific "Master Diver Class" for the certification. Any diver who has taken 4 specialties (presumably AOW) and Stress/Rescue and has made 50 dives automatically becomes an SSI Master Diver merely by asking for the card.

Jeff

[Jeff Toorish]

As a NAUI-trained diver, I was curious about the answer. According to the NAUI website... Master Scuba Diver (http://www.naui.org/master_scuba_diver.aspx).

Jeff Toorish, here's a link to NAUI's training progression (http://www.naui.org/training_progression.aspx).

Um...thanks.

FYI, in the NAUI Intructor Manual Master Diver comes before Rescue Diver, however neither is a pre-requisite for the other.

Jeff

[Jeff Toorish]

Thanks Jeff, but as a NAUI instructor would you be able to answer the specific questions I asked in the first post? I've read up the description on NAUI's site, but I'm not quite clear what level the dives are aimed at and how this fits in with specialties and other courses.

Sure, no problem.

The basic requirements are you must be 15 years old AOW certified show adequate knowledge and capability before beginning the course. Students should also own their own equipment.

I'm of the philosophy that this is an excellent course to take shortly after AOW. I've always felt that working closely with an instructor (or several instructors for different courses) is a path to more proficient and safe divers. This is based on the notion that the student/diver actually became proficient in the skills from previous courses.

To me, it makes more sense to progress relatively quickly from OW to AOW and then on to Master Diver or Rescue Diver for two reasons: it allows students to reinforce skills learned under the eyes of an instructor, and it helps prevent students from "perfecting their mistakes."

To be honest, I also think it's a good idea to switch instructors from course to course, or at least occasionally, because that exposes you to different styles and everyone brings new information (plus, instructors only have so many stories and after a couple of classes you have probably heard them all).

Clearly I can't tell you if you are ready for the NAUI Master Diver course because I don't know you personally. But if you are proficient in your diving and want to continue, that would be a very logical course to consider. One thing I recommend is to ask an instructor to take you out on a dive to evaluate you, then work with him or her to plan your next course.

Just to be clear, these are mostly my opinions and others may have different points of view.

Jeff

[Coldwater_Canuck]

Sure, no problem.

The basic requirements are you must be 15 years old AOW certified show adequate knowledge and capability before beginning the course. Students should also own their own equipment.

I'm of the philosophy that this is an excellent course to take shortly after AOW. I've always felt that working closely with an instructor (or several instructors for different courses) is a path to more proficient and safe divers. This is based on the notion that the student/diver actually became proficient in the skills from previous courses.

To me, it makes more sense to progress relatively quickly from OW to AOW and then on to Master Diver or Rescue Diver for two reasons: it allows students to reinforce skills learned under the eyes of an instructor, and it helps prevent students from "perfecting their mistakes."

To be honest, I also think it's a good idea to switch instructors from course to course, or at least occasionally, because that exposes you to different styles and everyone brings new information (plus, instructors only have so many stories and after a couple of classes you have probably heard them all).

Clearly I can't tell you if you are ready for the NAUI Master Diver course because I don't know you personally. But if you are proficient in your diving and want to continue, that would be a very logical course to consider. One thing I recommend is to ask an instructor to take you out on a dive to evaluate you, then work with him or her to plan your next course.

Just to be clear, these are mostly my opinions and others may have different points of view.

Jeff

Okay thanks, that's useful to know. I think the next course I'll be taking is PADI (or whoever) Rescue Diver (I've heard good things about this course as well), and possibly a Bouyancy Specialty. After that I may consider taking this course, it sounds useful. How long does it usually take to complete (I realize it will depend on scheduling, but just in general, like I could say an OW course can generally be completed in about 2 weeks, even though shorter and longer are possible)?

Although one more thing I asked in my first post, is how do the various parts of the course relate to specialty courses? As an instructor you must know say how the navigation element of this course compares to the navigation specialty? Or does the deep dive take you all the way to 130 feet like the deep specialty, etc?

[Coldwater_Canuck]

I'm a huge proponent of the NAUI Master Diver course. I learned far more about diving from that one course than from any other course I've done since, including the PADI professional courses I've done.

It will make anyone who passes it a much better and more knowledgeable diver (well, unless they've already been through courses that have that level of rigor -- which tends to be found in technical courses, but not recreational ones).

It's a great course and well worth it.
That's good to know. While I'm not a huge card collector, I can see some value in having the Master Scuba Diver card, but I also don't like paying PADI $50 to send you a piece of plastic. I think NAUI has the better solution where you actually complete a (apparantly useful) course.

Having taken it and I assume a variety of other courses (since you have PADI pro ones), do you have any opinions on the question I asked Jeff at the end of my last post (how does its content compare to specialty courses?)

[Lead_carrier]

Even if you don't take the NAUI Master diver course. Just getting the book and doing it will teach you a lot. I think it should be a required course for anyone going pro. Regardless of agency.

[Thalassamania]

...
To me, it makes more sense to progress relatively quickly from OW to AOW and then on to Master Diver or Rescue Diver for two reasons: it allows students to reinforce skills learned under the eyes of an instructor, and it helps prevent students from "perfecting their mistakes."
While I agree with your reasons, there is a problem. The NAUI MSD is about perfecting diving skills at the level expected of a NAUI Instructor, and the written exam is at a similar level, someone who has recently completed AOW is no where near ready for the NAUI MSD. People taking NAUI MSD should be either preparing to make the step to a pro course or should be fairly experienced divers who have decided that they have no interest in taking a pro course but who aspire to a pro level of diving skills and knowledge (which I'll, grant you today are not what they were when I wrote the standards for the NAUI MSD, the major reason that it has been gently downgraded).

[Xaryo]

I'm currently finishing PADI DM course and I'm clearly not quite satified with the level of hard diving theory there was in the cours. I have a very good instructor, but the course material isn't just advanced enough from what I would have thought of a professionnal level course.

That's why I'm thinking going for the NAUI MasterDiver course. Hopefully, the theory will be good.

[Kingpatzer]

Having taken it and I assume a variety of other courses (since you have PADI pro ones), do you have any opinions on the question I asked Jeff at the end of my last post (how does its content compare to specialty courses?)

I have not taken any other NAUI courses, so I can't comment on how the course compares to other NAUI specialty courses. But I found a slightly higher level of rigor than typical PADI specialty courses covering similar topics (such as search and recovery). In my mind that is what Master Diver should be about -- taking what is already learned and taking it to a higher level.

[Coldwater_Canuck]

I have not taken any other NAUI courses, so I can't comment on how the course compares to other NAUI specialty courses. But I found a slightly higher level of rigor than typical PADI specialty courses covering similar topics (such as search and recovery). In my mind that is what Master Diver should be about -- taking what is already learned and taking it to a higher level.

Well I assume PADI and NAUI specialties are similar, so still a useful answer. I guess only thing is the PADI S+R has 3 dives, whereas the NAUI MSD has only one dive for that specialty, right?

Also, considering S+R (as an example) isn't really a pre-req for MSD, how can it be "taking what is already learned"?

[OldNSalty]

OK-I made a call to the lds and asked about this course...so sad. Once they realized that I was not interested in becoming a dive master they basically brushed me aside. No big deal, It was more of a curiosity thing-something to put on my to do list when I had some extra $$$ and time.

Anyway, the way this shop wanted to do it was, "We give you all the course materials and then you do the 8 dives with our advance class. We will be expecting more out of you during those dives and will ask you to lead a few". I asked about physical test and acedemic test-None. They take your money, let you do 8 more dives and give you the books.

I hope this isn't how it is suppose to be.

[Capt. Pete]

OldNSalty, Sorry to hear the response you received from the dive operator you called. The NAUI Master Diver course is much more involved then what they told you. As a NAUI Master Diver there is no swim qualifications and the course has nothing to do with leading dives, that is what Divemasters do. The NAUI Master Diver course includes at least 23 hours of academic study as well as at least 8 dives with "the greatest possible variety of diving situations". The course content includes Instructor level dive physics, dive equipment, diving risks (rescue and first aid), diving environment, underwater navigation, limited visibility, search and recovery, light salvage as well as deep and simulated decompression diving. At the conclusion of the academic portion there is a very extensive written exam that covers the aforementioned areas, before the diving is started. Properly administered this is an excellent course that will definitely improve your diving knowledge and skill. NAUI Master Divers should have Instructor level knowledge, NAUI Divemasters are taught how to lead and supervise dives and NAUI Instructors are taught how to teach the sport of diving. The Master Diver course was never design as a show up and get your MSD card after a few dives. Please check around and find a quality NAUI Instructor that can teach this course properly and if you take the diving seriously you will return from the course a better diver.

[NWGratefulDiver]

Out of curiosity I started looking at the NAUI Master Scuba diver program, after seeing it mentioned on here. Now I have no background with NAUI so have only been pounded by PADI's promotional items about their "Master Scuba Diver" which is really different.

I guess there's 3 main questions I have.

1.)
The course looks to me somewhat like an Advanced Open Water course in that it's a bunch of specialties. Now with AOW (at least for PADI) the relation between it and specialty courses is fairly obvious: the "adventure dive" is supposed to be the first dive of the specialty.

So my question is, how does Master Diver fit in with specialty courses? Is it supposed to be taken after a number of specialties, be taken in place of specialties (teach same material), or be taken before specialties? For example, how does the navigation portion match up with a navigation specialty? Does the deep dive also give you the 130 foot limit like the deep diver course, etc?

2.) Who is this geared towards? Is it generally for people with 100s of dives or is it more just something to do after AOW?

3.) Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to require a Rescue course as a pre-req, and while I see there is a rescue dive included, it would make NAUI Master Scuba the only MSD cert not to require a dedicated rescue class. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks in advance!
My attempt to answer your questions ...

1) The NAUI Master Diver class is the academic part of what they teach their Divemasters. What it doesn't include that the DM class does is leadership skills. This class is for people who want the diving skills and knowledge of a divemaster, but do not have interest in becoming a divemaster. To my concern, this is the very best class that NAUI offers to the recreational diver.

2) Yes ... it can be for either. It really depends on the person. As a NAUI instructor, I would advise a typical recreational diver to get some dives after AOW before starting a Master Diver class ... because the diving skills can be (if you get the right instructor) rigorous. Because of what I pointed out above, you should not just be able to perform the required skills, but do so at a level that clearly displays mastery (hence the name "Master Diver"). NAUI refers to it as "demonstration quality". For most people, being able to do skills at that level would take some amount of time and practice, which you get by diving.

3) Yes, there is a reason for this ... see my response to Jeff Toorish below.



The NAUI Master Diver is actually a course. It comes after AOW and before Rescue Diver. It involves things like emergency procedures and rescue and deep/simulated decompression diving. There are a minimum of eight open wate dives.

The NAUI Rescue class can be taken at any time after OW. Unlike PADI, AOW is not a prerequisite for Rescue. NAUI stresses the importance of rescue skills both by encouraging people to take a Rescue class at any time after entry level certification, and by mandating that certain rescue skills be taught during every class, including OW. And although the Rescue class isn't, technically, a prerequisite for Master Diver, Rescue skills are required in order to complete the Master Diver program.


Yep-Already done the rescue and the advanced but wasn't interested in master diver if all it amounted to was a recognition of past classes and dives.
Unlike the PADI program of the same name, NAUI Master Diver is not a recognition program ... it is a class which, if taught correctly, is both thorough and rigorous.


I'm currently finishing PADI DM course and I'm clearly not quite satified with the level of hard diving theory there was in the cours. I have a very good instructor, but the course material isn't just advanced enough from what I would have thought of a professionnal level course.

That's why I'm thinking going for the NAUI MasterDiver course. Hopefully, the theory will be good.
One of the biggest differences between NAUI and PADI is their teaching philosophy. PADI tends to emphasize the "how" of diving ... while NAUI tends to emphasize the "why". For this reason, most NAUI classes tend to be quite good on theory. Some folks tend to get intimidated by NAUI's emphasis on things like diving physics and physiology ... but to my concern, the Master Diver class does a great job of explaining those topics in a way that helps the diver understand why they're important.


OK-I made a call to the lds and asked about this course...so sad. Once they realized that I was not interested in becoming a dive master they basically brushed me aside. No big deal, It was more of a curiosity thing-something to put on my to do list when I had some extra $$$ and time.

Anyway, the way this shop wanted to do it was, "We give you all the course materials and then you do the 8 dives with our advance class. We will be expecting more out of you during those dives and will ask you to lead a few". I asked about physical test and acedemic test-None. They take your money, let you do 8 more dives and give you the books.

I hope this isn't how it is suppose to be.
This is most definitely NOT how it is supposed to be. My advice is to check around and find an instructor who will teach the course properly.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[vinegarbiscuit]

What Capt. Pete said. The NAUI Master Diver class, if taught properly, is meant to kick your butt. Its syllabus incorporates various 'real-life' situations (navigation, search and recovery, deep-diving, and so on), and teaches you how to deal with them. I waited about 18-months and 70-dives before progressing from NAUI AOW to Master Diver, partly because the course's dive requirements necessitate that you build on and expand your existing knowledge, and I am so glad I had even that modest amount of experience under my belt before tacking this course. For the Navigation component of the MastDiver course, for example, I was requested to plan a [shore] dive. Sure, I learned to use a compass and so on in AOW, but that's a whole different ball-game to everything that goes into planning a shore dive in a new location properly - asking resort staff about their favorite places to see, getting the corresponding compass bearings/natural navigation aids, seeking advice on prevailing currents, and drawing a map based on their comments. My instructor trailed along as part of the group, and made it clear that this was MY shooting match. Once I thought I was finished the Navigation component, noooo...she had no problem turning to me in the middle of a 'pleasure' dive and telling me to take over and lead the way home...just to make sure my training was being utilized. Real world situations are what's emphasized, and it's invaluable. I was also expected to be the dummy for demonstrating various skills: my instructor would point to me and ask me to perform fin pivots, mask-clearing, regulator recovery, and so on for the benefit of open water divers in our group. And over, and over, and over again!


I do NOT want to get into a PADI vs NAUI vs SSI vs whatever shouting match, but I will say this: the components of the NAUI Master Diver course are exacting and challenging. I feel it gave me the foundation to be a solid diver, as well as pointers on how to continually improve. Moroever, the academic component of the course is pretty damn extensive. If a NAUI Master Diver decides to become a DM, for example, he/she should have no trouble - or surprises - when it comes to the math and physics component of the DM exam.

To the OP - I hope you do the course, and get as much out of it as I did.

[Thalassamania]

Well I assume PADI and NAUI specialties are similar, so still a useful answer. I guess only thing is the PADI S+R has 3 dives, whereas the NAUI MSD has only one dive for that specialty, right?

Also, considering S+R (as an example) isn't really a pre-req for MSD, how can it be "taking what is already learned"?The NAUI Master Diver Course is designed to be the last "normal" recreational diving course that you will take, it draws and all that you've learned from you prior training and attempts to help you organize that into a coherent whole.

OK-I made a call to the lds and asked about this course...so sad. Once they realized that I was not interested in becoming a dive master they basically brushed me aside. No big deal, It was more of a curiosity thing-something to put on my to do list when I had some extra $$$ and time.

Anyway, the way this shop wanted to do it was, "We give you all the course materials and then you do the 8 dives with our advance class. We will be expecting more out of you during those dives and will ask you to lead a few". I asked about physical test and acedemic test-None. They take your money, let you do 8 more dives and give you the books.

I hope this isn't how it is suppose to be.
That's not how it is supposed to be, with the right instructor that could actually work out really well, with the wrong instructor it could be an abject waste of time and money.

What Capt. Pete said. The NAUI Master Diver class, if taught properly, is meant to kick your butt. Its syllabus incorporates various 'real-life' situations (navigation, search and recovery, deep-diving, and so on), and teaches you how to deal with them. I waited about 18-months and 70-dives before progressing from NAUI AOW to Master Diver, partly because the course's dive requirements necessitate that you build on and expand your existing knowledge, and I am so glad I had even that modest amount of experience under my belt before tacking this course. For the Navigation component of the MastDiver course, for example, I was requested to plan a [shore] dive. Sure, I learned to use a compass and so on in AOW, but that's a whole different ball-game to everything that goes into planning a shore dive in a new location properly - asking resort staff about their favorite places to see, getting the corresponding compass bearings/natural navigation aids, seeking advice on prevailing currents, and drawing a map based on their comments. My instructor trailed along as part of the group, and made it clear that this was MY shooting match. Once I thought I was finished the Navigation component, noooo...she had no problem turning to me in the middle of a 'pleasure' dive and telling me to take over and lead the way home...just to make sure my training was being utilized. Real world situations are what's emphasized, and it's invaluable. I was also expected to be the dummy for demonstrating various skills: my instructor would point to me and ask me to perform fin pivots, mask-clearing, regulator recovery, and so on for the benefit of open water divers in our group. And over, and over, and over again!


I do NOT want to get into a PADI vs NAUI vs SSI vs whatever shouting match, but I will say this: the components of the NAUI Master Diver course are exacting and challenging. I feel it gave me the foundation to be a solid diver, as well as pointers on how to continually improve. Moroever, the academic component of the course is pretty damn extensive. If a NAUI Master Diver decides to become a DM, for example, he/she should have no trouble - or surprises - when it comes to the math and physics component of the DM exam.

To the OP - I hope you do the course, and get as much out of it as I did.70 dives is, to my mind, a bit light ... but if it was enough for you to get what you needed out of the course, that's what it takes. For most people I'd recommend more than 100 dives, rescue, and their basic specialties.

It is not an agency vs. agency thing, the NAUI Course is radically different, it was the original and the other agencies did what they usually do, take a respected course name and slap an inferior course behind it in the interested of "marketing." Not the first time, not the last time either.

[annasea]

Um...thanks.

FYI, in the NAUI Intructor Manual Master Diver comes before Rescue Diver, however neither is a pre-requisite for the other.

Jeff
You're welcome.

And thank you for the FYI, but as read in Thal's and Bob's posts, there does seem to be a reason for the *suggested* course progression as per the NAUI website.

[jagfish]

Aside from NAUI Tech,this is one of my favorite courses to teach. Divers can "be all they can be" as divers, without going pro...and pro is a very short step away...

As other posters mentioned, we also require rescue as a prerequisite.

It rarely takes only the 8 dives, since as Thal. said, we try to throw as many different dive experiences at the trainees: drysuit, mock deco, double tanks (if they are a backplate and wing diver), etc....

Graduates should be familiar with every facet of dive planning (including emphasis on gas management) and in the water, they will have to look as good as me or better to get the nod...and I like looking good...:D

[Kingpatzer]

Well I assume PADI and NAUI specialties are similar, so still a useful answer. I guess only thing is the PADI S+R has 3 dives, whereas the NAUI MSD has only one dive for that specialty, right?

Also, considering S+R (as an example) isn't really a pre-req for MSD, how can it be "taking what is already learned"?


You don't have to take S&R to get your master diver in PADI - you merely have to take 5 specialties, AOW and Rescue. AOW has one S&R Dive.

[bsppc]

I have been talking to my LDS about NAUI MSD training. They have a DM and MSD class each spring and they teach them concurrent. As they explain, you take the academic, pool and OW training, help with training, etc... At the end of the course, you fill out your paperwork and either get a DM cert or a MSD cert. As they put it, you merely have to decide if you want to go pro or not.

Bill

[Thalassamania]

I have been talking to my LDS about NAUI MSD training. They have a DM and MSD class each spring and they teach them concurrent. As they explain, you take the academic, pool and OW training, help with training, etc... At the end of the course, you fill out your paperwork and either get a DM cert or a MSD cert. As they put it, you merely have to decide if you want to go pro or not.

BillThat's not a bad way to go ... keep in mind that the NAUI DM ranks above the NAUI AI.

[OldNSalty]

keep in mind that the NAUI DM ranks above the NAUI AI.

That's confussing...but I have to admit, I have never understood the point of the AI. Maybe it's a money generator for agencies. So the NAUI pro route is DM->Instructor? Do you even need to do any AI training in NAUI?

[NWGratefulDiver]

That's confussing...but I have to admit, I have never understood the point of the AI. Maybe it's a money generator for agencies. So the NAUI pro route is DM->Instructor?

Yes ...



Do you even need to do any AI training in NAUI?

No ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Thalassamania]

AI is an historical artifact, from back when there were two certifications, Basic Diver and Instuctor. A third was added: AI.

[mkutyna]

OK-I made a call to the lds and asked about this course...so sad. Once they realized that I was not interested in becoming a dive master they basically brushed me aside. No big deal, It was more of a curiosity thing-something to put on my to do list when I had some extra $$$ and time.

Anyway, the way this shop wanted to do it was, "We give you all the course materials and then you do the 8 dives with our advance class. We will be expecting more out of you during those dives and will ask you to lead a few". I asked about physical test and acedemic test-None. They take your money, let you do 8 more dives and give you the books.

I hope this isn't how it is suppose to be.

I'm really very sorry that you got that response from your lds. As others have said, the NAUI MSD course should be much more than that. That is definitely a class that I would gear towards what your future intentions are. For instance, if you were intending on becoming a DM, I would take you on a few training dives with other students. If you were only interested in increased knowledge and skills, then I would focus on that. Either way, you would get a good helping of diving theory and skills.

The NAUI Master Diver book is easily my favorite NAUI book. I still use it as a reference when preparing for a lecture. I'm even working on scanning it to PDF (something NAUI should do with all of their books IMO) so I can have it with me on my computer at all times.