Master Scuba Diver Certification

[WolfeDiver]

I am crossing over to PADI, from my current training organization, as in the Southeast area that I live in, it is all PADI. Here is my question

I hold a DiveMaster rating, with my current training organization, however, I will have 5 Specialty dives that are PADI Courses, so would I be able to get a PADI Master Scuba Diver Certification?

 

[tursiops]

You say "5 Specialty dives that are PADI Courses." Do you mean 5 specialty certifications from PADI?

 

[WolfeDiver]

Yes:

Wreck Diving
Whale Shark Specialty from the GA Aquarium
Manta Ray Specialty from GA Aquarium
Project Aware Specialist
Drift Driver
Boat Diver

 

[tursiops]

Well, yes, you can apply for MSD. But you really ought to take 5 serious specialties rather than Project AWARE, two aquarium specialties, drift and boat. Wreck is the only one on your list that I would call serious (and only if you penetrated on dive #4), and worthy of calling yourself an MSD. Otherwise the whole meaning of MSD is demeaned. Take Deep, Navigation, Search and Recovery, Night, and Cavern, for example. Mind you, I'm not denigrating the training you've gotten, it is worthwhile and interesting, but it is pretty lightweight if you really want to present yourself as a MSD.

 

[WolfeDiver]

Here are the current Certs I have from my other Agency, which is the former YScuba Program:

* Nitrox Diver
*Ice Diver
*Equipment Service
*Search & Recovery Diver - Public Safety Diver
*Dry Suit Diver
*Adv Open Water Level 3
*Adv Open Water Level 2
*CMAS 2 Star Diver
*CMAS 3 Star Diver
*CMAS 1 Star Instructor
*DiveMaster
*Dive Supervisor (PDIC Version of a DiveMaster)

Certified in 2012 and have 120 Dives. Yes, the Wreck Diver on Dive 4 is a penetration dive

 

[tursiops]

I can't help you with YScuba equivalences, but I see nothing on the list that appears to be an equivalence to PADI Rescue, which is one of the boxes to be checked on the MSD application.

Why do you call yourself a Divemaster if you have a CMAS instructor rating?

 

[emoreira]

DiveMaster is a Professional rating.
Master Scuba Diver is a Recognition level. A world of difference.
MSD is an Advance Open Water Diver + Stress&Rescue + 50 logged dives.
DiveMaster is the second Professional rating in all major Certification agencies. The starting point for a Professional career is MSD.

 

[boulderjohn]

Your profile lists a course that appears to be the equivalent of Rescue. I am pretty sure you qualify for the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating. My question is this: why does it matter? the purpose of the MSD rating is, frankly, to try to give you incentive to take all these courses, and improve your diving skills. You have apparently done all that without the incentive. In rare occasions, the MSD rating will open some doors for you, but those are rare occasions. Within the PADI structure, the MSD rating is the end of the recreational diver line of courses. That rating does not qualify you for anything beyond that, and it will not bring you any benefit other than a card.

 

[tursiops]

DiveMaster is a Professional rating.
Master Scuba Diver is a Recognition level. A world of difference.

True.

MSD is an Advance Open Water Diver + Stress&Rescue + 50 logged dives.

No, MSD also has a requirement for specialties, five for PADI.

DiveMaster is the second Professional rating in all major Certification agencies. The starting point for a Professional career is MSD.

No, Divemaster is the first professional level. MSD is the last recreational level, and is not required for divemaster.

 

[WolfeDiver]

DRAM (Diver Rescue and Accident Management) is the rescue course that I have, which is required for BOTH Advanced Level 3 Open Water Diver and DiveMaster Certifications.

---------- Post added May 16th, 2015 at 10:15 PM ----------

I can't help you with YScuba equivalences, but I see nothing on the list that appears to be an equivalence to PADI Rescue, which is one of the boxes to be checked on the MSD application.

Why do you call yourself a Divemaster if you have a CMAS instructor rating?

CMAS 1 Star Instructor is a Dive Master
CMAS 2 Star is an Instructor
CMAS 3 Star is an IT, CD, etc.