In this case, it's not about a lack of information, it's about a lack of consistency. I've read multiple opinions in both senses in various threads, so now I'm a bit lost.
Is it useful to enter an aow course right after passing the ow? Or will I just lose time and money.
My first impression was that it would be a nice way of learning during my first immersions (it's not so much more expensive than the immersions themselves). However, I've also read some people saying it's better to do some immersions first and then do the aow.
As JimLap said, it depends on what you want to get out of it ... and which AOW you want to take. They vary.
To expand a bit on JimLap's point ... different agencies sell AOW for different reasons.
Those that promote AOW directly after OW are looking at it as "experience" based learning ... in other words, a few more dives under instructor supervision in varying conditions. The primary purpose of this class is really to "cement" the basics you learned in OW by giving you more dives before you start to forget what you learned on OW. There's little to no additional learning outside of what you teach yourself while being supervised by an instructor who's primarily there to make sure you don't hurt yourself in the process. If this is the type of class you want, then go for AOW as soon as possible after OW.
Those who promote some dives between OW and AOW are looking at the class as a way to expand both your diving knowledge and skill level ... they will introduce you to skills that were not covered in your OW, rather than seek to emphasize through repetition those that were. (For full disclosure, I happen to fall into this category.) If this is the type of class you want, then get some more dives first. Become completely comfortable with what you learned in OW. Then seek out an instructor who takes this approach to the class (generally those will be NAUI or SSI instructors, because their agencies support this approach).
Further instruction for inexperienced divers can never be a bad thing can it?
Many AOW classes don't involve further instruction ... they consist only of supervised diving.
The only time I think further instruction can hurt, is when you have a diver who has not mastered the skill sets taught in OW. I have seen some divers attempt the skills learned in AOW, but they were still struggling with the lessons learned in OW.
Exactly ... your brain can only handle so many new things at once. If you're still struggling with what you learned in OW, then the chances of coming out of an AOW class feeling like you didn't learn anything are very high.
However, stating my particular case I can eliminate the variables that don't apply.
For example:
- I don't plan on getting any further certification, as I have no interest in teaching diving.
- I don't plan on diving under 20m. in the foreseable future.
- I don't plan on using anything but air nor planning a dive that requires any deco stop (beyond security).
i.e.: I want to do the courses because I think it will be an entertaining way of making the first immersions and also because I think they'll make me feel safer.
Does that information alter the responses in any way?
First off, I'm going to tell you not to stop at AOW. If you take nothing else, take a Rescue class ... it is by far the most important scuba class you can take, since it is as much about learning how to avoid an accident as it is about learning how to respond to one.
Furthermore ... as a new diver, you really don't know what your goals are. You know what they are today ... but I have seen many, many divers change their goals rather quickly once they started diving.
Whatever you decide to do, keep in mind that what you get out of any class will be proportional to what you put into it. Go into the class prepared to make every effort to learn. Don't be afraid to ask questions and challenge anything that doesn't make sense to you, and no matter which option you choose ... or who teaches the class ... you will get the most out of it.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
