Redesigning AOW

[ucfdiver]

I think that would potentially get a lot of divers into trouble.

I'm not so sure it wouldn't be the safest way to teach it. 1/3 of a tank leaves a LOT of time for deco at 15ft if a diver runs into it. Ask the average diver 1 year out of an OW to show you how to use dive tables, and I think you find that you don't want them doing many things that require a whole lot of table based planning.

 

[PCBCaptChris]

It may infact be more conservative. As long as everyone has the same size cylinder you would not have to teach gas matching...

 

[knotical]

Geographic considerations: Altitude and dry suit around here. Could be incorporated into OW, but usually aren’t.

 

[SparticleBrane]

For deeper dives, I prefer to use the 1/3 gas rule. It saves you from a *lot* of sticky situations, and can bail you out when things go wrong. Maybe teaching this for "deep" dives > 60 or 80 ft would be a good idea. Opinions?

1/3rd's is just one of several different ways to plan a dive. Honestly you should use a gas plan compatible with how you want to end the dive.

Do you need to get back to where you got in, is it merely preferable to return to the starting point, or does it matter at all? Using 1/3rd's all the time would significantly decrease bottom time while adding a ridiculous safety factor to many dives that don't need it.

A better solution would be to know a rock bottom pressure for the max expected depth, and work out what kind of gas plan to use after that.

Ask the average diver 1 year out of an OW to show you how to use dive tables, and I think you find that you don't want them doing many things that require a whole lot of table based planning.

Now you are getting into other issues such as diver retention. Should someone who was originally taught to use tables, but can't remember how (because they haven't been diving in xyz number of years) really be diving in the first place? The real goal should be to create divers to dive for a lifetime of enjoyment, rather than just a tropical vacation.

 

[BDub]

What is include in the skill set of of a "peak performance" dive?

Personally, for my class;

Horizontal descent, face to face, not touching the bottom when reaching the bottom

Proficient buoyancy control and trim thoughout the dive, even when tasked (OOG, mask skills, navigating (some degree of navigation is done on every dive)

Horizontal ascent, face to face, holding all stops (typically 3 stops of at least 1 minute each) within a couple of feet. They must do this while sharing air as well

 

[ucfdiver]

Geographic considerations: Altitude and dry suit around here. Could be incorporated into OW, but usually aren’t.

Good point. Then get PADI to ditch their stupid course that teaches you how to incorrectly dive a dry suit.

 

[BDub]

I also require my students to read the NAUI Advanced Student Diver book and take the NAUI test ... but I think that both are pretty lame, and really nothing more than a review of stuff they should've learned in OW. But NAUI requires it, and I do think it's important to follow standards

That's why I made my own test

 

[ucfdiver]

1/3rd's is just one of several different ways to plan a dive. Honestly you should use a gas plan compatible with how you want to end the dive.

Do you need to get back to where you got in, is it merely preferable to return to the starting point, or does it matter at all? Using 1/3rd's all the time would significantly decrease bottom time while adding a ridiculous safety factor to many dives that don't need it.

A better solution would be to know a rock bottom pressure for the max expected depth, and work out what kind of gas plan to use after that.

AOW shouldn't be a substitute for adv nitrox and deco procedures, IMO. I know it's limiting, but if a diver wants to increase his/her range, there are courses beyond a 2 day AOW cram session that deal with that in great detail.

 

[PCBCaptChris]

What is the face to face you talk about for peak performace. Is this where they have to look at each other/requires bouyancy?

 

[BDub]

I'm not so sure it wouldn't be the safest way to teach it. 1/3 of a tank leaves a LOT of time for deco at 15ft if a diver runs into it. Ask the average diver 1 year out of an OW to show you how to use dive tables, and I think you find that you don't want them doing many things that require a whole lot of table based planning.

Realistically, I don't expect every student to walk away from the class adhering to Rock Bottom like the bible. I don't like 1/3rds, however, as I think it's way too dangerous for some divers, and can be quite conservative for others.

A general rule of thumb I give my students is to never dive deeper than the volume of gas you have in your tank. In other words, if you're wearing an al80, I'd keep max depth at 80fsw. Again, that's just a rule of thumb.