PADI Master Scuba Diver

[CheddarDavis]

Hi everyone,

I have a question about mixing certifications from different agencies. I am a PADI guy (because I take all my scuba classes through my university and it's a ton cheaper than doing it through a dive shop). I am PADI OW, PADI AOW, and PADI nitrox certified and will be PADI Rescue and PADI full face comm mask certified in a few months. My university, however, doesn't teach other specializations like deep, wreck, search/recovery, etc. And all the dive shops nearby use either SSI or SDI. My question is: am I able to get my last 3 specialties (I already will have nitrox and comm mask through PADI) through SSI/SDI and still take the PADI Master Diver class? Or do all 5 specialties have to be from PADI?

 

[Crowley]

Hi Cheddar,

The specialties have to be from PADI. Also don't forget that the MSD program is not actually a "class" - it's just an extra certification demonstrating achievement in diving (50 dives, Rescue + 5 Specialties) - you can add them as you go through your diving career.

Cheers

Crowley

 

[Mscdex]

sorry to highjack this but does anyone know if the Padi EFR class counts as a qualifying specialty?

 

[Bob DBF]

sorry to highjack this but does anyone know if the Padi EFR class counts as a qualifying specialty?

No, it is just a part of Rescue.



Bob

 

[drrich2]

Okay, here's a work around. I believe SDI lets you use equivalent coursework from other agencies toward their Master Diver rating. Here's a thread where you can scroll down to read their requirements. Since it's otherwise similar, you might find it worthwhile.

Oh, and if no one else mentioned it yet, NAUI has a Master Scuba Diver cert. course that's an actual course, originally designed to impart Instructor level knowledge (and I presume skill to some extent?) minus the teaching component. I've never taken it, but I bought the manual for it, which I and some others consider quite good in its own right.

Richard.