Advanced Open Water Certification

[jonhall]

Was wondering if there is any real benefit of obtaining AOW certification as opposed to keeping the OW (PADI) certification I have and if I have just been lucky to get to do the different types of dives that seem to be included in the specialty courses and AOW? Have read many posts in past threads on the topic and have obtained some valuable information, but wanted to revisit the topic for some fresh opinions.

My diving background consists of 4 checkout dives in 1998 with my next 2 dives not coming until 2005. The next 4 came in 2007 and I have been diving every year since getting in 8-14 dives. This year, as in future years, I expect to get in 20-30. Within my first 25, I completed several deep (between 90-110 ft.), wreck (swim throughs), night, and drift dives. Also have been on 8 drift dives where DM left us after 20 minutes each time to go back to get the boat to pick us up wherever we surfaced. The last of those dives were just my buddy and myself. I am very comfortable in the water and don’t feel I’ve ever been slighted on any dive trips except for those that didn’t let us dive our air.

It seems that the AOW, which I’m trying to convince myself I need, would allow:

1. a diver to do certain specialty dives where the DM requires that extra certification.
2. ease of mind for the dive shop liability-wise.

Trying to get past the feeling I will spend money to get an official certification for things I can do and have already done. I have no aspirations in diving other than to be able to go under when I’m on a trip.

Anything else?

 

[boulderjohn]

If you have already picked up the skills associated with the AOW class, then it may seem like a waste of your time. It may have a practical value in that there are a number of dive sites that you will not be able to visit with an advanced certification. Here is a video showing what can happen if you try to plan a dive to such a site without it: https://vimeo.com/48190726

The other reason for it is if you eventually decide to go on and get further certifications that require it.

 

[redacted]

Was wondering if there is any real benefit of obtaining AOW certification as opposed to keeping the OW (PADI) certification I have and if I have just been lucky to get to do the different types of dives that seem to be included in the specialty courses and AOW? Have read many posts in past threads on the topic and have obtained some valuable information, but wanted to revisit the topic for some fresh opinions.

My diving background consists of 4 checkout dives in 1998 with my next 2 dives not coming until 2005. The next 4 came in 2007 and I have been diving every year since getting in 8-14 dives. This year, as in future years, I expect to get in 20-30. Within my first 25, I completed several deep (between 90-110 ft.), wreck (swim throughs), night, and drift dives. Also have been on 8 drift dives where DM left us after 20 minutes each time to go back to get the boat to pick us up wherever we surfaced. The last of those dives were just my buddy and myself. I am very comfortable in the water and don’t feel I’ve ever been slighted on any dive trips except for those that didn’t let us dive our air.

It seems that the AOW, which I’m trying to convince myself I need, would allow:

1. a diver to do certain specialty dives where the DM requires that extra certification.
2. ease of mind for the dive shop liability-wise.

Trying to get past the feeling I will spend money to get an official certification for things I can do and have already done. I have no aspirations in diving other than to be able to go under when I’m on a trip.

Anything else?

Many (most) dive ops in the NE require AOW (and redundant gas) for their Atlantic dives. You could run into an op just about anywhere that might exclude you from dives due to your lack of AOW, especially if they happen to be over booked. It is a prerequisite for some other courses like Rescue and Solo.

 

[tursiops]

Only deep and navigation are required for AOW. So do 3 electives that cover subjects you'd like to learn about and have not yet had a chance to try.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Frosty]

jonhall-by your post it sounds like you are comfortable with your diving.My only concern is that it might be a case of you don't know what you don't know. IMO some of the AOW skills are just "clipping the ticket"
BUT -Peak performance buoyancy,deep speciality and navigation are all three that should genuinely benefit you.
all three would be like a tune up of your scuba skills--if done correctly.
That leaves a couple of optional specialities that might be fun to look at.

 

[scoobydrew]

Some places in the world will not let you on dives that are deeper than 60 feet if you are only OW certified.

The argument against this is someone could be OW certified with 1000+ dives in a variety of conditions and be disallowed to join the dive whereas a freshly minted AOW diver with 9 dives under his belt is good to go.

The reality in my opinion having been through these dive centres in the past is that most know that the certification level is not a true reflection of ability but they do use it as leverage to sell their courses. Either way, if you're heading somewhere to do something be sure to check minimum requirement.

 

[oly5050user]

Was wondering if there is any real benefit of obtaining AOW certification as opposed to keeping the OW (PADI) certification I have and if I have just been lucky to get to do the different types of dives that seem to be included in the specialty courses and AOW? Have read many posts in past threads on the topic and have obtained some valuable information, but wanted to revisit the topic for some fresh opinions.

My diving background consists of 4 checkout dives in 1998 with my next 2 dives not coming until 2005. The next 4 came in 2007 and I have been diving every year since getting in 8-14 dives. This year, as in future years, I expect to get in 20-30. Within my first 25, I completed several deep (between 90-110 ft.), wreck (swim throughs), night, and drift dives. Also have been on 8 drift dives where DM left us after 20 minutes each time to go back to get the boat to pick us up wherever we surfaced. The last of those dives were just my buddy and myself. I am very comfortable in the water and don’t feel I’ve ever been slighted on any dive trips except for those that didn’t let us dive our air.

It seems that the AOW, which I’m trying to convince myself I need, would allow:

1. a diver to do certain specialty dives where the DM requires that extra certification.
2. ease of mind for the dive shop liability-wise.

Trying to get past the feeling I will spend money to get an official certification for things I can do and have already done. I have no aspirations in diving other than to be able to go under when I’m on a trip.

Anything else?

Ow is an entry ticket to learn how to dive.advance is a progression if you plan to stick with diving.
Knowing how to navigate and measure distances,hazards and navigating on wrecks,night dive navigating accurately , not shinning a light on other divers eyes, with the few dives you have advance ow course done correctly can only help. Just you mentioning that a dm left you alone for 20 minutes tells me an advance course would be a good idea. You should have felt comfortable after the 4 certification ow dives to be able to plan and execute a dive with your buddy without a dm in the water with you.

 

[Nemrod]

I can tell you right now that if Hitler shows up wanting to join us "weird vintage divers" he is going to have bigger problems than his snorkel and lack of AOW. I will spear him with my vintage arbalete and I am pretty sure he will emerge from the depths with his hoses cut and a SeaHawk knife in his tookus.


But, OP, yes, you need AOW.

N

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

This is my 2 cents. I was certified back in the late 70's with the YMCA. I have lots of dives - boat and shore with lots of fun. I have been to islands below 100 feet and I have been in the Cooper river with less than 6 inch viz looking for fossils with only a OW card. You do not need AOW - you can do what you want if you like but you need experience and dives to get comfortable.

I will say I have finally broken down this year and gotten my AOW and Nitrox card because my son dives with me (he also got his AOW and nitrox card). So for those times I want to take him on a dive boat in NE and have him feel better (which he does) I am comfortable that he knows what he is doing. Not because of the card but because we dove and got him comfortable. It is only a card - but we were on vacation and had a blast diving getting the certifications. Now - there is no hesitation - he has been below 110 feet and he has been in 6 inch viz with me on the Cooper River. With a pony bottle and a few cards - very little is left to hold us back on any boat dives from here on out.

But the card is a way for dive ops to weed out folks if they want - if you dont like that - get the card. Otherwise it is all your choice on whether you want or need it.

So - take your time - get your dives in and have fun...

 

[jonhall]

Thanks boulder john for the video. One of the best educational videos I've seen!

Thanks scoobydrew. Read last article in your blog regarding lionfish. Very informative. On a side note, my checkout dives were completed with Nancy at Divetech (way back) and I was just at Cobalt Coast in Feb. and dove with Divetech.

I agree that there is no substitute for experience. I was (maybe still am) certified to teach driver education which involved taking a course while in college which included teaching in the classroom and taking students out on the road. I'd had a lot of driving experience prior. In ½ day I became certified to teach motorcycle safety and riding a motorcycle. My motorcycle experience prior was one day riding a friends motorcycle. What would you want me to teach your child?

Since I don't want to get shut out of some cool dive in the future just because it's below 60 ft. I guess I'll get the AOW and say I've bettered myself.

Thanks for comments to this point. They are helpful.