5 PADI specialties VS AOW

[sho0ter_McGavin]

We're currently looking at our options as to how to go further into scuba diving and we're not sure on how to proceed. To put the question short and simple: Can you get your AOW by doing 5 specialties or do you absolutely need to do the AOW certification, even though you're planning to do the 5 specialties.

For example, I have PPB and drift dive. If I did, say, deep, navigation and shipwreck dive (certifications), would I get my AOW "by default" or would I need to do 5 other certification dives (the AOW ones) to get my AOW?

EDIT: also what are the drawbacks of doing one or the other path? (we don't mind the costs, btw)

 

[JackD342]

The PADI Deep Diver specialty has a prerequisite of either Advanced Open Water or Adventure Diver. There is also a "Think Like a Diver" module unique to AOW. So you still need to engage with the AOW course and content, although you can do much of it as complete specialties.

 

[MichaelMc]

Padi AOW is a class sampling 5 specialties, plus the 'think like a diver' module in the book.
SDI and SSI use full specialties to add up to a (bigger) 'AOW' card. SDI Advanced Adventure corresponds to Padi AOW, but can be skipped.
So you might just do SDI if that is your preferred approach.

This thread, Padi AOW by default?, asked 'I've been collecting specialties, will they add up to AOW'. I'd read it, most of the issues are discussed.

Gist was, in Padi, you still need the class and the shop may on may not cut a deal on the price as you already have most of the dives. But the Deep is an issue as you need AOW for it or the Adventure diver, as mentioned. You could take the AOW for the Deep and the Think module....

Some threads of possible interest.
Which PADI AOW specialties
PADI Advanced Open Water: Did you learn anything new?
Skip SDI Advanced Adventure (AOW) and go straight to specialties

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Before you start deep, you just need 3 adventure dives/specialties. You already know that navigation and deep are required,

I honestly think this is the best way to go about AOW.

Once you were done, you’d just need an instructor/shop to process your AOW certification separately.

 

[sho0ter_McGavin]

That did clear a lot of questions I had!

Thanks!

 

[Jcp2]

So it’s possible to do single PADI adventure dives with instructor review and sign off in the logbook, including deep and navigation, and then get AOW over an extended period of time?

 

[tursiops]

So it’s possible to do single PADI adventure dives with instructor review and sign off in the logbook, including deep and navigation, and then get AOW over an extended period of time?

Well, maybe. You'd still need to cover the Thinking Like a Diver module at some point, so at least one of your instructors would need to do that.

 

[Jcp2]

I would imagine it would be the final instructor? I already am AOW but this more leisurely approach would fit my daughter better.

 

[JackD342]

So it’s possible to do single PADI adventure dives with instructor review and sign off in the logbook, including deep and navigation, and then get AOW over an extended period of time?

Not quite. The PADI standard is to have earned the Adventure Diver certification, not to have just done the 3 Adventure Dives.
I don't have materials handy, but if the "Think Like A Diver" is part of the Adventure Diver cert, then you can get that done, and later just add the two additional dives to complete AOW.

 

[scubadada]

You can use the one dive from AOW to go on and finish that specialty if you want. I did that with Deep, DPV, and PPB. I've not heard of doing it the opposite direction, full specialty and then crediting toward AOW, but perhaps it's possible. Thinking like a diver did not exist when I did AOW in 2004

I would probably do AOW first, and pick my 3 elective dives carefully in case I wanted to do the full specialty later. AOW is sometimes required by operators for certain dives, usually deeper. I've never been routinely asked for a specialty cert for any dive. My DPV cert and previous experience has been useful in renting a DPV.