So, what is the point of AOW???

[TSandM]

The value of an AOW class varies with the class. Mine wasn't worth much except to do five additional dives with an instructor. On the other hand, NWGratefulDiver teaches an AOW class which would challenge most divers, I think.

 

[String]

In some parts of the world an "advanced course" purpose is to get a card to allow you to dive to 30m.

When done after the open water level it can be useful in that it gives someone 5 more dives with an instructor at a time when they badly need supervised diving to expand their experience. Obviously this doesn't apply to someone that has been diving at all.

Other than those it depends on the instructor. Navigation is or at least if taught properly should be very useful. "Deep" although it isnt deep is a chance to include air planning and demonstrate the effects of pressure, colour change and so on. IF taken to the maximum allowed, going 3ft lower than open water for it is however completely pointless.

The other electives depend again on what and how they're taught and range from completely worthless (AWARE,Boat,Fish ID) to fairly useful (PPB for a new diver, nitrox, search and recovery).

In short, the point of an AOW course varies depending on prior diving experience and what the instructor decides to put in.

 

[jupitermermaid]

Oh, one more thing. I learned a great thing from my Wreck Certification instructor this past weekend: The difference between a good diver and a mediocre diver is: a mediocre diver knows how to handle expected problems. A Good Diver has at least 3 plans prepared ahead of time for the unexpected problems that can arise.

 

[diver 85]

To improve a LDS's cash/flow.........GEAUX TIGERS...........

 

[drbill]

While some divers are pretty proficient after BOW, for most the BOW certification essentially gives you just enough to be dangerous to yourself and others. I used to be very much against taking AOW soon after BOW (I waited 30+ years). However, when I took BOW in the 1960's (from the agency that taught most of those who later formed PADI and NAUI), wthe class was three weeks long and included most of AOW and a lot of Rescue.

Today's watered down BOW classes rarely give a diver enough proficiency to really do "advanced" dives... even if they think they can. Additional training (or dive experience) is generally required to produce a truly competent diver (and even those fail on occasion). There are some dives off Catalina that we will not take a diver unless they have AOW.

When I finally decided to get my AOW it was so I would not be subjected to "check out dives" by instructors in other countries who weren't even born when I started diving. They were required even though I had a dive log showing years of diving experience, essentially because I didn't have a PADI AOW card. So I got one to stop the wasted dives.

 

[dkatchalov]

I think Jacques Cousteau died before he had a chance to get certified.

So he clearly wasn't qualified enough to do almost all of the dives he did.

:no

 

[Stu S.]

There are some dives off Catalina that we will not take a diver unless they have AOW. QUOTE]

Dr. Bill, this is a little hypothetical, but I must ask you.

I have a 1977 NASDS certification that was pre-AOW. It is called "Scuba Diver", and at the time we were certified to go to 132 feet. The training lasted eight weeks. There was no subsequent training offered. Since then, I have had dives down to 145 feet, on a variety of wrecks, at night, etc. I got the nitrox card later.

Would you allow a diver like me to go on the Catalina trip?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

All in all an AOW card is little more than a piece of plastic that will allow you to go more places. For some it includes places they have no business being. AT least from the agency that I'm primarily certified with. There are others that have stricter requirements and allow their instructors to decide if a student deserves the card as opposed to requiring him to issue it if the student completes the five dives regardless of whether or not they are competent to go below 60 ft, navigate a course on their own, or some of the other "skills" learned. Many times the stuff thrown in for AOW that has already been mentioned like boat, project aware, fish ID, bug eye mask, etc are nothing more than easy money for the agency and the instructor. PADI's AOW also does not require any real classroom for the dives chosen. In fact you can read the book, do the knowledge review, and go over it between dives. Not real hard. But it will get you on the Grove, the Duane, some sites in Monterrey, and other places that can mess you up real bad real quick if you think the AOW itself qualifies you for them.

 

[SparticleBrane]

I would have posted some US$ but it's gotten pretty useless recently.

 

[Tigerman]

Personally, my main reason to do AOW was to get some more experience, specifically with regards to deep and wreck in order to know more about the potential hazards it poses as well as experiencing deep dives under the supervision of an experienced diver before putting my ass down there with someone that might or might not be experienced at it.
When going places I havent been before, Id rather do it under the supervision and advisory of an experienced diver than getting in way over my head (litterarilly).