Expectations too high?

[kulot]

Hmm...my AOW dives were a breeze, kind of boring.

I guess it depends on the conditions during the course. The water was really cold (by philippine standards), waves were rather large, and the currents were quite strong. Especially during the night dive. I felt like I was on an express way. Kind of freaky actually spent the dive looking out that I wouldn't crash into anything.

But I have to agree that some of the exercises are on the boring side. But some of them were really fun like in the peak performance buoyancy dive.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Choppy seas, strong currents - some dives I'd rather sit out.

 

[digitale]

I learned very quickly that enviornment is a big factor as well. I recently finished my OW and my instructors have said not to worry about the AOW as such, but to take the courses I need for my area. While an EANx course is good anywhere, I also needed a drysuit course if I plan on diving Northeast wrecks. Figure out what you are going to dive and take the courses to dive, not for the card. Also keep in mind that 100 dives in an 80 degree lake doesn't mean you're advanced in a 40 degree ocean.

 

[Wijbrandus]

I've done a few dives where the current is so fast and the vis so bad that you literally almost can't move around things coming out of the murk fast enough.

If you've got good vis, I don't mind a fast drift dive. Combine that with bad vis, and you are likely to hurt something important.

 

[Detonate]

I normally recommend signing up for Advanced after you buy your own equipment.