Worth pursuing AOW?

[American Digger In Europe]

He mentioned compass briefly, and I know the theory from the manual, but are you positive about SMB? Can’t find a reference to it in the digital manual.

I'm positive. SMB deployment is taught in Pool Session # 5 and is executed by the student in OWD # 4.

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

I'm positive. SMB deployment is taught in Pool Session # 5 and is executed by the student in OWD # 4.

I had to do it for my NAUI OW too.

 

[Jcp2]

We deployed SMB on surface for OW, DSMB later.

 

[Orestis82]

Ok now I’m kind of bummed because otherwise my instructor was very effective and methodical in other areas. Shame to realize he skipped over entire parts of the course.

I need to buy a compass and DSMB anyway, so I guess that’s YouTube and asking around for me...

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

He mentioned compass briefly, and I know the theory from the manual, but are you positive about SMB? Can’t find a reference to it in the digital manual.

How long ago was your course? The SSI standards are downloadable. See the attached cue cards for OW. I have no idea when/if this changed for SSI. My history with SSI doesn't go way back. Possibly others can chime in.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Ok now I’m kind of bummed because otherwise my instructor was very effective and methodical in other areas. Shame to realize he skipped over entire parts of the course.

I need to buy a compass and DSMB anyway, so I guess that’s YouTube and asking around for me...

Maybe talk to an SDI/NAUI instructor for an augmented navigation course. I say those agencies as they allow instructors to add skills to their courses. Find someone who does so with challenges that appeal to you.

 

[jonhall]

Ok now I’m kind of bummed because otherwise my instructor was very effective and methodical in other areas. Shame to realize he skipped over entire parts of the course.
I need to buy a compass and DSMB anyway, so I guess that’s YouTube and asking around for me...

Way back, so far back it's hard to recall, in my OW course, we didn't do anything related to SMB or DSMB, nothing academic or in a checkout dive - not even in the index to my OW manual. Can't remember doing anything with a compass either academic or in pool work. Although a requirement on one of the checkout dives was swimming 50 yds on the surface, I don't remember doing that either.

So when I did AOW a few years ago, a SMB was in the packet of materials but we didn't use it. To this day, I have never inflated one while diving. I did inflate it on land. With the compass, I taught some orienteering with middle school students so had no problem reading the compass - it was all about keeping my compass level when using it while diving.

Whether you got the instruction or not, your right - there are ways to figure it out.

 

[TMHeimer]

With PADI there was no SMB practice in 2005 when I took OW, but basic compass stuff. In 2015 or so SMB was added to OW.
I don't recall any SMB taking PADI AOW in '06 either during the 5 dives. Though we did a lot with lift bags during the S & R dive.
They're always changing stuff anyway.
During the PADI Deep course in '07 I was at 120' diving wet in 33F water (late May) and had to inflate my sausage...….

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

With PADI there was no SMB practice in 2005 when I took OW, but basic compass stuff. In 2015 or so SMB was added to OW.
I don't recall any SMB taking PADI AOW in '06 either during the 5 dives. Though we did a lot with lift bags during the S & R dive.
They're always changing stuff anyway.
During the PADI Deep course in '07 I was at 120' diving wet in 33F water (late May) and had to inflate my sausage...….

I believe the change occurred around 2013. I could be off by a year or two.