What is the Mid Atlantic Scuba Retailer's Association (MASRA)?

The Mid-Atlantic Scuba Retailer’s Association (MASRA) is a cooperative association made up of many of the major retail Dive Centers in Virginia and Maryland.   
Association members are full service Dive Centers, offering retail SCUBA equipment, service, and training along with travel opportunities.   

MASRA encourages professionalism and advocates diving safety in the Washington, DC greater metropolitan area.  Through community involvement, continuing education and conservation efforts, the MASRA Dive Centers are leaders in the dive community.  MASRA‘s collaborative efforts strive to improve the quality of SCUBA Diver education through out the region. Member Dive Centers provide introductory diving programs to thousands of new divers at consumer events annually. 

Choosing a member Dive Center for your SCUBA Education, Equipment and Travel needs insures the highest degree of quality, service and commitment for the diving consumer.

 I see all these abbreviations.  What do they mean?  Is one organization better than another?

 There are many organizations that are devoted to training new divers.  The most common ones include:  PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), SDI (Scuba Diving International), and SSI (Scuba Schools International).  No one program is better than another, but each offers its own distinct philosophy on instructing new divers and diving in general. 

 Talk to the staff at a few dive centers.  Many stores offer one organization’s programs exclusively, supplementing with courses not offered by that agency.

When you take the time to interview the Dive Centers that you are looking at, you will see each Dive Center has its own program.  Tell them your goals and ask questions.  Take time to explore your options but focus on the people who deliver the training and your personal goals.

All of the members of the Mid Atlantic Scuba Retailer's Association are very professional and offer quality programs.  By taking the time to talk to them you will find the Dive Center that best fits your needs