Master Scuba Diver

A PADI Master Scuba Diver badge.

Not to be confused with Master Diver (United States Navy).

Master Scuba Diver (MSD) is a scuba diving certification level provided by several North American diver training agencies, such as National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI),^[1] Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI),^[2] Scuba Diving International (SDI),^[3] and Scuba Schools International (SSI)^[4].

Although the contents and methodology of the certification differs between the agencies, they are all consistent in that they are the highest level of non-professional certification offered by those agencies. It is sometimes referred to as the "black belt" of recreational diving.

The International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) name for the equivalent certification (which is very close in content to the traditional North American model) is "Elite Diver".^[5]

Most organizations have a minimum age requirement of 15 to undertake the Master Scuba Diver course, although some organizations do permit certification of "Junior" Master Scuba Divers.

Methodology

The different agencies take different approaches to the awarding of the rating. The methodology of the main agencies is as follows:

NAUI

The NAUI Master Scuba Diver course is generally regarded to be the most rigorous of the major North American diver training organizations, and is the only one which requires classroom training. A NAUI Master Scuba Diver must have demonstrated the knowledge and skill level expected of a NAUI Instructor except for the teaching and student supervision material. The NAUI Master Scuba Diver course involves training in:

• Emergency procedures and rescue
• Deep/simulated decompression diving
• Limited visibility or night diving
• Underwater navigation
• Search and recovery – light salvage
• 5 further elective specialties

PADI

The whole PADI training system.

PADI awards the Master Scuba Diver rating to any diver who completes:

• Advanced Open Water Diver course
• Rescue Diver course
• Five different PADI specialty diving courses (not counting the Rescue Diver course)
• Logs 50 dives

SDI

SDI awards the Master Scuba Diver rating to any diver who completes:

• Advanced Open Water Diver course
• Rescue Diver course
• Logs 50 dives

SSI

SSI awards the Master Diver rating to any diver who completes:

• Four different specialty diving courses
• Diver Stress & Rescue
• Logs 50 dives

Footnotes

1. ^ "NAUI Recreational Courses". NAUI Worldwide. 2008. http://www.naui.org/recreational_divers.aspx. Retrieved 2009-09-13. 
2. ^ "Master Scuba Diver Rating". Professional Association of Diving Instructors. 2008. http://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/diver-level-courses/view-all-padi-courses/master-scuba-diver-rating/default.aspx. Retrieved 2009-09-13. 
3. ^ "Master Scuba Diver Development Program". International Training. 2009. http://www.tdisdi.com/index.php?did=64&site=3. Retrieved 2009-09-13. 
4. ^ "Continuing Education". Scuba Schools International. 2009. http://www.divessi.com/continue. Retrieved 2009-09-13.  The SSI course is entitled Master Diver.
5. ^ "IANTD course breakdown" (pdf). 2008-08-21. http://www.iantd.com/IANTD%20course%20breakdown.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-13. ^{[dead link]}