I’m Certified SCUBA Diver, Now What? (Advanced/Master Diver)

Last week we discussed questions and answers that people have asked about getting their Open Water Certification. So, now that you’ve made that move and dove on into the underwater world, what’s next?

Well, for sure you want to keep diving. In classes, you learn that you need to keep a dive log. Here is where they really come into play. Now you are Open Water Certified; you’re comfortable in the water and really enjoy it. You want more, so what’s next?

Let’s talk some vocabulary so you can walk the walk and talk the talk.

  • Specialty SCUBA Class – It’s a class that further advances your specialized skill set as a recreational diver. It focuses on specific SCUBA Diving Goals.
  • Recreational Diver – is SCUBA diving for leisure and enjoyment.
  • Advanced Diver – is a higher level of Recreational Diving certification met by SCUBA Diving Agency criteria.
  • Master Diver – the Highest level of recreational diver development obtained by meeting SCUBA Diving Agency criteria.
  • Professional Diver – divers are reimbursed for leading and/or teaching SCUBA Certifications. Keep in mind there are different levels of professional divers.

Criteria for Advanced Diver:

This is from the SDI Website:

The SDI Advanced Diver Development Program was created to make true advanced divers. Under the old way of training, a student could take an advanced course immediately following an open water course, and only have a total of 9 dives, all under the direct training of an instructor. The SDI Advanced Diver Development program requires a new open water student to complete 4 SDI, TDI, or ERDI Specialties or equivalent, combined with 25 logged dives. SDI believes a diver will truly be advanced after this is accomplished.

Requirements:

  1. 4 SDI, TDI, or ERDI Specialty advanced courses. Only one of those can be a non-dive class checkout class.
  2. Proof of 25 logged dives

Then the instructor may submit to SDI for Advanced SCUBA Diver.

*Advanced Junior diver include above requirements. Classes taken must be allowed by their age.

Criteria for Master Diver:

This is from the SDI Website:

The SDI Master SCUBA Diver Development Program was created to make true master divers. The SDI Master SCUBA Diver Development program requires a new open water diver to complete 4 SDI, TDI, or ERDI Specialties (or equivalent), the SDI Rescue Diver Course (or equivalent), and logged 50 divers. SDI believes a diver will be a true master scuba diver after this is accomplished.

Requirements:

  1. 4 SDI, TDI, or ERDI Specialty advanced courses. Only one of those can be a non-dive class.
  2. Proof of 50 dives logged.
  3. SDI Rescue Diver Course or equivalent.

Then the instructor may submit the SDI for Advanced SCUBA Diver.

*Requirements for divers under the age of 18 include the above so as the 4 specialty classes are allowed by their age.

Next week, we’ll discuss the specialty classes that may be taken to achieve either of the certifications above. Happy First Day of Spring. Summer diving season is quickly approaching!!

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