Redesigning AOW

[Dive Right In Scuba]

LOL...no...My fingers just kept going.....I can edit it if you prefer, I was just rolling with the other posts and my fingers kept going and going....I didnt realize it was that long until it posted...if you prefer, I can edit it down to just my views that are on topic? Dont drink coffee and the dogs woke me up early cuz of the pesky wabbits...I didnt feel I was posting ANY bias as I have non...just posting what consumers are prefering with everything presented to them....

 

[Teamcasa]

I think even Search and Recovery is of little use. I’d like to see, safety stop holding without a line and expand navigation to more than follow a simple square route. In Addition AOW should include more buoyancy activities and team/buddy awareness exercises.

 

[diver 85]

subtract???----> the name, change it to 'More Diving After OW'.....only a moron would think someone is advanced after 20 something dives(guess there are plenty out there though....lol)

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

I think even Search and Recovery is of little use. I’d like to see, safety stop holding without a line and expand navigation to more than follow a simple square route. In Addition AOW should include more buoyancy activities and team/buddy awareness exercises.

I agree its not the most practical, but when you explain to people what it involves, the cool and fun factor sets in....For public safety teams we require it for their AOW

 

[PCBCaptChris]

Right now I run it with a Night dive, a deep dive, and a Navigation dive. During all the dives we discuss bouyancy and air consumption techniques/skills. The other three dives are student interest guided: Hunting gathering (poke polin'), search recovery (huntin' stuff), photography (get to use my camera as a orientation), and limited vis (a mud hole). If they come up with something else we look at that. What kind of ideas are there that would make it better? The way I think of the class is as a guided experience that builds confidence and in turn comfort... I can't see much past that with the advanced class, so maybe some different insight would help to advance my advanced class...

 

[Walter]

Then add:

"Peak performance buoyancy" and proper weight balance and management.
"Rock bottom" gas management.

Put that in the entry level class where it belongs. Require night, deep, low viz, wreck and search and recovery, increase the required dives to 10 and throw in some real academics.

 

[Randy43068]

Gas management. (I know, you said that. Just saying it again.)

Did you say gas management?? :14:

It's not mentioned in the PADI encyclopedia of recreational diving. You must be wrong.

 

[PCBCaptChris]

The problem is, right now there is a mild industry consensus on how many dive to have in the course. Changing it would make that particular agency the "odd ball".

Back in the day Advanced was included in the openwater training. However, to stay competive, from a buisness perspective, it was seperated out. Not the best I know. However, when I offer the advacened class I tell the students it is the experience needed to drive in the OW ciriculum.

What kind of real academics would you recommend? Do you have any ideas for specific material?

 

[ucfdiver]

I'd like to see buoyancy taught better, communication during loss of visibility (light/touch), and the getting rid of the "deep dive".

Right now I refuse to give NAUI, PADI, SSI, etc any of my money for AOW. GUE fundamentals looks like a MUCH MUCH better alternative.

 

[PCBCaptChris]

Why get rid of the "deep dive"? The reason I ask is because I see it as a small opportunity to expand someones comfort zone incrementally. Meaning, letting them do something they may not have done before and thus make them more confortable...

How would you teach bouyancy to make it better?

What agency would you give money to for AOW? Maybe I can borrow some ideas from them.

EDIT: You edited in the GUE thingy. How do they teach bouyancy?