Newbie OW diver wants to go AOW

[fisherdvm]

I don't consider getting AOW chasing C card. It carries little weight in itself, but is a stepping stone to the Rescue course offered by many organisations. The sooner you get your rescue class, the better of a buddy and diver you are. Like another had said, some silly dive opts still require the AOW on certain dives, and they don't care to look at your log book. That might be enough of a reason to get the card, even though it is relatively meaningless by itself.

Fund. means fundamentals. From my understanding, the GUE fundamental course is kinda like an introduction to the DIR system of diving. Kinda like an AOW course but without the specialties. It focuses on using certain gear configuration, certain means of dive planning, and gas management. I've not taken the course, but apparently it adds a few more skills to being a diver. I believe it is an intensive 3 days course including class work and several OW dives.

 

[spectrum]

With 6 dives in my logbook (4 being C-dives), I haven't even perfected the giant stride entry yet. On my trip, I always did some mistake... didn't hold the reg properly or belly flop or fins pointing down or mask came off... so I got wondering, if I am such an amateur should I even go for AOW or get more experience? But it seems learning and going aow are not exclusively mutual events. I suppose, learning being a never-ending part for a recreational diver like me.

I am not chasing cards but getting classes keeps me in touch with instructors and refreshes interest. Also, to keep diving with (good) instructors would mean to learn more, get my mistakes pointed and confidence.

GUE Instructors | Global Underwater Explorers

What does "Fund." mean on the link webpage above?

IMO you have no need for AOW. It's apparent you are still settling into the basic skills. There is no logical need to take you into the deep, night or otherwise task load you at this point. AOW is not remedial OW, it's exposure to new and often challenging aspects of diving. And it's only exposure, don't expect to be mastering anything new either.

The best thing you can do is to regularly dive within your training locally (as the seasons allow) and if you happen to travel. It's impossible to put a specific number on when to do AOW but feeling that you are reasonably competent in basic OW dives is a good sign. There is a lifetime of joy within the range of your training so don't buy into the sentiment that you need AOW to do anything worthwhile. Walk before you run.

Pete

 

[Bob Vincent]

First of all I do not like the name of Advanced Open Water Diver. The PADI way is to get you to go right into an AOW class. This is to 1. keep you diving under the watchful eye of an instructor. 2. keep you from gaining bad habits. 3. Experience and touch upon different aspects of diving such as night, deep, rescue, navigation, search and recovery, etc., you'll come out with alot more experience and be more at ease and your confidence will certainly increase. I always told students an open water cert is your license to learn how to dive.

Alot of people have a different opinion. They say go out and practice first. Some even say, "why" you just want another card? Another one, "they (the instructor or the LDS) are trying to get money out of you." By all means listen to these people ... if you think they have the experience and have the training to have trained a large number of divers to know the difference and what works to make a better safer diver.

Just listen to yourself. If you want to get better and learn and what to do it so you know you are learning it the right way ...go for the class!

 

[sfbarry]

I had a GREAT AOW instructor. He actually finished my open water and immediately started with AOW courses the same day. It has made me so much more comfortable and knowledgeable about my surroundings and skills. Just because you have an AOW doesn't mean you are a great diver by any means. It simply means, in my opion, that you wanted to take your skills to the next level, experience new things like navigation and depth, and further refine your dive experiences. I would certainly suggest to do an AOW if you want to start diving. I am a new diver and am very glad I followed through with it. Also, PM me if you will be in MAUI anytime, I have an unbelievable instructor who can attain to any need on a one on one basis, as well as on your time!

Cheers

Sean

 

[Tigerman]

Id say take the AOW course as soon as possible, IF YOU FEEL READY FOR IT.
The AOW class will probably be more worthwhile as far as training and learning goes now than it will later. Itll also give you some different diving experiences which might point you in the direction you want to go with your diving and to get more advanced diving youre going to need the AOW card to begin with..

Lets discuss the question at hand instead of wether or not the "name is right" shall we?

 

[carsnoceans]

1. keep you diving under the watchful eye of an instructor. 2. keep you from gaining bad habits. 3. Experience and touch upon different aspects of diving such as night, deep, rescue, navigation, search and recovery, etc., you'll come out with alot more experience and be more at ease and your confidence will certainly increase. I always told students an open water cert is your license to learn how to dive.

These are exactly my reasons for planning AOW on next trip. I'd actually like to do a class with every divetrip/ vacation. More knowledge = safer/ better environment. The first two mandatory courses in PADI are deep dive/ underwater navigation don't seem to be very challenging dive situations either (compared to a wreck dive or nitrox dive or cave diving)?

But what is a measurement of "I am finally ready for it"? I mean, I am still an amateur and got lots to learn but am I mentally willing and ready - Yes. Skillset wise - I don't know. Am I?

 

[Tigerman]

These are exactly my reasons for planning AOW on next trip. I'd actually like to do a class with every divetrip/ vacation. More knowledge = safer/ better environment. The first two mandatory courses in PADI are deep dive/ underwater navigation don't seem to be very challenging dive situations either (compared to a wreck dive or nitrox dive or cave diving)?

But what is a measurement of "I am finally ready for it"? I mean, I am still an amateur and got lots to learn but am I mentally willing and ready - Yes. Skillset wise - I don't know. Am I?

Although deep and navigation are mandatory for AOW, they are not neccesarilly the two first dives of AOW..
IIRC We did deep, night, wreck, navigation and S&R in that order. Except I didnt do deep with the rest cause someone had given me a hood that was too big and the water temp didnt really comply with diving without one. I had deep dives with the same instructor prior to the course, plus the wreck was 100 feet as well though.

If youre ready skillwise? Id say if youre ready mentally that doesnt matter very much as AOW is not very "skill intensive" and the answer is also probably yes, as long as you have been given it some thought. Its more a course that as mentioned allow you to experience new aspects of diving and giving you some basic knowledge about those types of diving.
As far as deep diving goes, as youll see during your AOW class, its a bit more challenging and unpredictable than one might think..

 

[Jim Kerr]

I have a problem with getting your cert card then taking a weekend course and POOF you are AOW.
Find dive club near you and get some dives in.
I feel you can get more out of the AOW if you have a few dives under your belt first

Hmmmm! You show less than 50 dives yourself, and not only are you AOW certified but are also Rescue certified. Kind of contradicts what you just told him don't you think?

My apologies if this is the wrong subforum but I couldn't pick the right place for this question.

I did my C-dives couple of months ago and looking for next set of dives in summer. Is it too early for me to start taking AOW classes on my next trip or should I get more dive experience at under 60ft? I was thinking of starting with deep dive classes (not that I am eager to measure Mariana Trench) but if I am prepped and qualified, it would be good not to have restrictions on a 80-90ft dive.

All that being said, what would be some good diveshop recommendations in Chicagoland (for referral classes) or should I just go to my destination and take classes with a dive-op there??

Thanks!

Just as an OW C-card is like a learners permit keep in mind, an AOW C-card "does not" make you an advanced diver. Only experience will do that.

 

[vel525]

i don't think getting an AOW immediately after your OW is bad. it gives you chance to do more dives (which is the best way to get better) and introduces you to some new stuff. however, i think you will get more out of your AOW class if you get some more dives in between your OW and AOW class and work on some the basics.

as for chicagoland classes, my wife took her OW class with elmer's dive shop and she said the instructors were great. the only other shop i know of is underwater safari, but i have not taken any courses from them. they just used to service my regs.

 

[TSandM]

It sounds as though your diving is sporadic and only with travel. In that case, your plan to do some time in the water with an instructor on each trip is probably an excellent one -- It's like getting a refresher class, and also having someone trained around to help you if you run into any issues you're not up to handling well because you're rusty.

People object to taking AOW right away, but in my experience, it's not an advanced class, but just some more dives with an instructor, each with a bit of a theme. As long as it doesn't go to your head and convince you that you're now an "advanced" diver, the class is fine for a complete newby. At least, that's when I took it.

Now some AOW classes are different -- One of my best friends teaches one that would challenge most divers, but it's the exception rather than the rule.