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Difference between Master Scuba Diver and Divemaster

What is the difference between Master Scuba Diver or MSD and Divemaster DM? You may think just because they sound the same they are, but no two levels have been so much more different than these two.

So if you have ever wondered how they are distinct, keep on reading and might as well share this article to impart wisdom to those in need.

Firstly those two have dissimilar spellings. Sarcasm aside think of a Home cook and an Apprenticed Chef. They are both superior at cooking, with exquisite tasty dishes under their aprons but one prep meals because they love it, and the other turned in his homemade apron and donned a Pro Uniform Apron.

I wanted to be a Divemaster in Anilao. I first heard of it from a non-diver friend whose Uncle owned a resort in Bohol. They gave out free Diver Apprenticeship programs all over the Philippines to Open water licensed divers. We will train and certify you as Scuba Divemaster, they said. Of course, I had to live there so I turned it down. This was way back then, and Bohol was not as developed as it is now, so basically I was this conservative fresh out of College Luzon Centric, Makati obsessed girl who did not know better.

A year after that, I paid for a Master Scuba Diver certification with NAUI, craving the training that I knew I wanted to experience. Hungering for more Scuba Diving Skills, knowing full well how much more experience I will gain. It was a well-packaged course of Dive adventures, night dives, deeper dives, and rescue. Oh that rescue diving training, that requires you a km swim. I was salivating for all these drills that I missed when I said no to a Bohol apprenticeship. Tsk. And no matter the drills, no matter the certifications, No matter the accolade connected to being a MSD diver I was still just it, an MSD diver. To be a pro is different. Different training and different responsibilities.

I may have been part of an elite group of divers that can easily tow my friends out of danger, search for the lost sack of rocks, or even deploy a DSMB, but I can never recognize a panic diver, organize a trip, tour a group and catch hard to recognize signs of stressed diver.  I may have enjoyed looks of regard because I was an esteemed MSD, but I was no DM.

However, I was only a kid with ambitions of a business in the city that had fancy bars, swanky lights, and fashionable people beyond board shorts and bikinis. Considering all these and my upbringing, I do not regret the road to the city vs the beach path. And I did gain the confidence I needed to push for a professional level. I will never forget the training, the Instructor, and my classmates in my Master Scuba Diving Course.  I became proficient, I was adroit, and I was a practiced recreational diver. It was advantageous when I finally decided years later to pursue a career in SCUBA diving. When I finally recognized that my want to be pro outgained my desire for recreational diving, I was more than ready.

But that was my story. You can be 18 and know your goals already. Like a fellow Instructor Development Course co candidate of mine who was only 18 when she became a Divemaster. Lil Rose Anne carrying her own tanks and other people’s tanks. Guiding guests through Canyons in Puerto Galera and then taking her IE with me. But that is of another story.

Here we talk about MSD and DM.

MSD is fun, recreationally fun, it is when you say. The drills are exciting, like BootCamp without the constricting grading system, just pure Knowledge with a lot of sugar. It can be done after your PADI Advanced open water diver course as long as you have 50 dives under your belt.

What it takes to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver:

Note: PADI Master Scuba Divers are not professionals and the PADI MSD rating does not qualify a diver to work in the diving industry. This is a recreational level that denotes the highest skill levels of those outside of the industry. If you’d like to be a professional diver, you’ll need to become a PADI Divemaster (see below) – which is why we are writing this Blog!

PADI Divemaster: A Professional Dive Leader

Divemasters help instructors teach scuba courses and can have leadership responsibilities that result in payment. In addition, getting paid for scuba diving means you’re a dive professional.

Prerequisites to take the course:

What can a PADI Divemaster do?

  • Supervise training and non-training related diving activities
  • Conduct dive briefings
  • Complete scuba reviews, such as PADI ReActivate
  • Teach the PADI Skin Diver course
  • Assist in Discover Scuba Diving programs and lead additional dives
  • Lead Discover Snorkeling and Discover Local Diving programs
  • Call themselves a scuba diving professional
  • Obtain professional scuba diving liability insurance

What do you have to do to get this rating?

  • Complete the Divemaster Knowledge Development sections and then pass the Divemaster Final Exam
  • Pass five water skills exercises and a diver rescue assessment
  • Complete a dive skills workshop and assessment
  • Create an Emergency Assistance Plan
  • Demonstrate practical skills, such as mapping, searches and briefings
  • Complete Divemaster-led program workshops, such as ReActivate and Discover Scuba Diving
  • Complete practical assessments for assisting on scuba courses
  • Demonstrate professionalism toward other team members, guest divers and students.

How long does it take to become a PADI Divemaster?

The time taken to achieve the Divemaster certification will depend on your schedule, personal progress, and the route chosen. For instance, you can opt to complete the course in a shorter time (similar to other certifications), or undertake a longer-term internship where you’ll get to study – and work – alongside real-life students. In short, the course can take anywhere from a few weeks, to several months!

BECOME A PADI DIVEMASTER

Master Scuba Diver vs. Divemaster

As you can see, both qualifications indicate highly experienced and knowledgeable scuba divers. But in summary, a PADI Master Scuba Diver is as far as you can go as a recreational diver – there is no superior level. Coversely, the PADI Divemaster certification is the very first rung on the professional diver ladder.

The PADI Course Flowchart

Deciding Which is Best for You – Divemaster or Master Scuba Diver?

When deciding between taking the PADI Master Scuba Diver and the PADI Divemaster Course, it’s important to ask yourself why you want to progress to another level?

Q. Is it because you want to work in diving either full-time, part-time, or in another capacity? If the answer is yes, then you are best opting for the PADI Divemaster Course.

Q. Are you someone who likes learning and progressing? If the answer is yes again, then the Divemaster Course allows you to progress to Assistant Instructor and Instructor.

Q. Do you like working with people and helping people? Are you patient or prefer to get on with things on your own? If you prefer to be self-sufficient, then the Master Scuba Diver will increase your self-confidence as a diver and is the perfect option.

Q. Are you looking to learn new skills, experience different types of diving, and feel a sense of accomplishment? The PADI Master Scuba Diver allows you to do all of these things; however, you may still want to consider the Divemaster course, too, particularly if you are a ‘people-person’ and enjoy helping others. There are many divers who become Divemasters for the challenge but do not actively work in the diving industry.

Now you know the difference between these similar sounding names! If you’d like to complete your Master Scuba Diver or Divemaster certification, Call me at +639177221133 or message here.

stephaniegalve