Ayisha
Contributor
The recommended depth limit for the PADI AOW is 100 feet, and 130 feet for the PADI Deep Specialty. Remember, these are only RECOMMENDED limits, not actual enforced limits. The main differences I remember between the two courses were an extra 3 Deep dives and breathing off a hang tank during the Deep specialty. Every diver should make their own informed decisions. Hopefully the instructors followed their guidelines. I guess we don't know what depth those students were told to go to in their briefing.
I've done the Tiller and it is deep and cold, but you can easily stay above 100' and see everything. I've had up to 50 feet visibility, which is really good for around here. 42 F is pretty cold, especially in a wetsuit, and especially for those divers not used to it. I've had 40 F there. Even drysuit divers not wearing enough exposure protection will get cold at that temp. According to PADI, you're supposed to add 10 feet to the actual planned depth when planning your very cold water dives. So 90 feet at 42 F should be planned as if it is 100 feet. Hopefully they accounted for the cold as well.
I've done the Tiller and it is deep and cold, but you can easily stay above 100' and see everything. I've had up to 50 feet visibility, which is really good for around here. 42 F is pretty cold, especially in a wetsuit, and especially for those divers not used to it. I've had 40 F there. Even drysuit divers not wearing enough exposure protection will get cold at that temp. According to PADI, you're supposed to add 10 feet to the actual planned depth when planning your very cold water dives. So 90 feet at 42 F should be planned as if it is 100 feet. Hopefully they accounted for the cold as well.