Fairly New Diver

[dhuskins]

No certification makes you an advanced diver, though- diving experience does.

I have met many certified, but not qualified, divers. I'm not even certain that dive count is a good measure of a person's advanced-ness. Doing the same dive over and over again, with the same habits and skills does not make a better diver.

Measuring a person's skill is not a simple formula. Some are better at some skills/knowledge while others are better at other things. Some people have transferable skills from other occupations/interests. Others learn faster or through different methods.

I like to say that experience provide people with the opportunity to learn. Some catch on while others may never. And experience do not always have to be hands on.

 

[JPENDERGRAST]

I have met many certified, but not qualified, divers. I'm not even certain that dive count is a good measure of a person's advanced-ness. Doing the same dive over and over again, with the same habits and skills does not make a better diver.

Who said anything about doing the same dive over and over ? The OP is in the Pensacola, FL area which offers hundreds, if not thousands, of dive sites within a 50 mile range. I'm certainly not denouncing continuing education. I did, however, imply that I learned more through experience than through my Advanced Open Water course. After all, that's what was being requested- not certifications in general...

 

[blackcloud]

Get yout AOW because some dive operators require you to have it for some of thre dives. The second reason to do AOW is it's a stepping stone for rescue which in my opinion every diver should have.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I'll echo what a many have already said. AOW can be valuable (with a good instructor) but is best viewed as OW version 1.2

If you put it off until you've got 50-100 or so dives under your belt, you'll probably feel like it was a waste. I do think it is geared for the fresh-out-of-OW diver. It is a stepping stone for further training.

Best wishes.