Learn to Dive
Providing Quality Scuba Education Since 1959
While our offer of "free lessons with the purchase of tanks" expired in 1959, MSD continues to provide quality scuba education. Originally issuing "Brainerd Skindiving Supply" diver certification cards, MSD joined with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in 1966 - the year of their inception. PADI now certifies 70% of divers world-wide. Incidentally, MSD founder Bill Matthies with PADI instructor number 79, is the lowest numbered instructor still actively teaching. We have a very experienced and passionate staff of instructors and dive masters that look forward to helping you achieve your instructional and recreational goals.
Our Class Offerings
PADI Discover Scuba Experience
Discover Scuba is your chance to give scuba diving a try with little investment in time or money. After a short briefing in the classroom, this one night introduction allows for an hours worth of pool time using scuba - plenty of time to see how exciting the underwater world can be. The entire $35 class fee can be applied toward an Open Water Certification course in the future. This is also a great opportunity for divers to introduce their non-diving friends to this incredible experience.
PADI Open Water Diver Certification
The Open Water Diver course is for those interested in recreational scuba diving. The course content covers all the basic dive skills and information needed to safely visit the underwater world, it also serves as a prerequisite to more advanced levels of training. There are three parts to the training; knowledge development (whether in the classroom, online or tablet based), pool skills development, and four open water dives. Upon completion, you will receive a PADI Open Water Diver certification which is recognized world-wide.
PADI Open Water Diver Referral Certification Dives
For those who may have taken their classroom and pool sessions elsewhere, we offer an open water training scuba referral program. Our price of $125.00 would include the two separate days of dives and the cost of the PADI certification card. Scuba referral divers would be responsible for any rental equipment charges - although we only charge for a one day rental which will cover both days of the training dives.
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PADI Advanced Open Water Certification
This course is a great way for a newer diver to quickly gain practical experience in a variety of different types of diving. While an active diver may gain experience just by diving, the advanced course will get them there much quicker, and with a higher degree of insight because of the conveyance of their instructor's real world experience.
PADI Specialty Certifications
For divers wishing to expand their knowledge and experience in specific types of diving, MSD offers a multitude of specialty courses. Underwater photo, ice, dry suit, search and recovery, deep, night, underwater navigator, nitrox and equipment specialist classes are frequently offered out of our Brainerd store - utilizing the Crosby Mines. Other opportunities such as; boat, wreck, drift, deep and night diver courses are offered on our many trips. With completion of the requirements of any of these specialties, divers will be awarded a Specialty Diver certification card.
PADI Rescue Diver Certification
The Rescue Diver course is an important and crucial step in expanding a diver’s training and experience beyond a purely recreational level. It is designed to develop the necessary knowledge and skills for individuals to effectively perform diver rescues and assists, manage diving accident situations, and render proper first aid.
PADI Master Scuba Diver Certification
Join the best in recreational scuba diving and live the dive life as a PADI Master Scuba Diver. The Master Scuba Diver rating places you in an elite group of respected divers who have earned this rating through both significant experience and scuba training. Fewer than two percent of divers every achieve this rating.
