Master Scuba Diver

I'm thrilled to announce that as of July 25th, 2019, I have earned the highest rating for recreational divers offered by PADI: Master Scuba Diver.

In order to attain this, one must have logged 50 dives, earned 5 specialty certifications, and also completed the certification of Rescue Diver. I did that...and then some.

I wrote about my journey thus far in an earlier blog post, aptly named "How I Became A Scuba Diver." I was reflecting on my first underwater breaths in the pool on Anthem of the Seas back in 2017, and remembering how this was the start of something very new and very exciting for me. Since that moment, I've logged 63 dives, earned 12 specialty certifications, and have become a Master Scuba Diver, which is at the very top of the recreational diver learning tree. I've found an activity that's become one of my passions in life, in addition to music and photography. I've hit this milestone, and I want to do more and go "deeper" with it. See what I did there? :)

There are a few other specialty certifications I might go for eventually, but my next goal in my diving career is to become a PADI Professional. I want to take my passion for diving, and my love of teaching and training, to become an instructor, and to help introduce people to the amazing sights and sounds of the underwater world. The first step on this journey is to become a Divemaster, which interestingly enough is not the same as a Master Scuba Diver.

A Divemaster is someone who can assist with diver training, and can actually lead group dives. They are held to higher standards of skills mastery and safety, and I am eagerly awaiting the challenge of completing this training. The process can take up to a year to complete, since there is a lot of work to do both in and out of the water. I'm very excited to take on this challenge, and to keep everyone updated about my progress along the way.