More Dives or AOW??

[Richesb]

There are WAY TOO MANY people that are "card collectors".
Get as many dives under your belt under VARYING conditions as you possibly can. Certification cards are B/S!!!!!!!!!!! Experience is what counts. I meet Dive Masters with under 25 dives who can't perform/ dive safely. Scarey thought isn't it?

 

[Dannybot]

AOW requires having a very good instructor (sounds like Divedoggie is your best bet) who doesn't just take you on the five dives. Since there is no EXAM, it is fundamental to get that one on one time and dedication from your instructor.

If you find this instructor, AOW will give you more confidence in your diving and make you enjoy the dives more because you will be more in touch with what's going on around you and you will be more alert yet more relaxed at the same time.

I agree, I took AOW right after OW from the same instructor, in whom I had confidence. We did all of our dives in Lake Travis, which is just a giant, deep mud pit.

Since there was exteremely low vis 6'-5', we were challenged. We had to really learn navigation (I had to repeat it twice to pass). And since the water was deep and the vis was bad, we worked mostly on skills.

We had several situations arise, that down the road made me feel much more confident, we lost buddies, our way, had to abort a couple dives for ear and equipment problems.

Mostly I gained confidence, from the knowledge and skills learned and improved. We were also exposed to multilevel and computer diving. All this makes me much more comfortable in the water, I understand better how to act in a situation, rather than burning all my air panicking, and I generally enjoy my diving.

You can never have too much training, and you can't have too many dives, you get both with AOW. As for taking the class on vacation...I was really worn out after taking the class, and working on the skills, I don't think I would like to waste my vacation working like that (But I will dive 'til I drop smoetimes).

Good luck.

Danny

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

There are WAY TOO MANY people that are "card collectors".
Get as many dives under your belt under VARYING conditions as you possibly can. Certification cards are B/S!!!!!!!!!!! Experience is what counts. I meet Dive Masters with under 25 dives who can't perform/ dive safely. Scarey thought isn't it?

1. How did a person get to be a dive master with under 25 dives?
2. If someone had only 25 dives, it would be better that they were all training dives done under the watchful eye of a reputable instructor, rather than just OW and 25 dives to re-enforce bad habits.

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

Actually, I think some people have latched on to catch phrases and have lost sight of their true meaning.

A "C-Card collector" is only bad if the person isn't getting the underlying knowledge from the course. There's nothing wrong with someone who collects C-cards because they want to acquire additional skills under the watchful eye of a professional diver. In fact, that kind of C-card collecting is a pretty good idea.

So when we have a case like we do here, where a new diver wonders whether he should get further training, the answer, in my opinion, is almost always that it's a good idea. Take a Buoyancy class, or whatever, it can only help you to develop good habits early on.

But that's just my uninformed opinion. I don't have many C-cards - but I think I'm going to go hunt me some more.

 

[MJI]

Hi folks, and thanks again for all your posts - this really is a great place to come and chat!

Just want to point out that I am not simply looking to get another "badge on the chest" - i want to do what;s best to help me develop me as a diver. I do understand though that there isn't a definitive answer, as there are so many variables with training/instructors/locations/ etc

What I will say, is that i really want something that will increase my confidence as a diver - that's quite important to me. Familiarity will help I'm sure, so extra dives I assume would be advantageous - but also, if an instructor is worth their salt, their supervision and further instruction (different from my OW instruction) will be valuable.

Guess I'll have to check out the outfit when I get there: Ocean Venture Diving Fihalhohi

If I was to just concentrate on getting some dive experience, then I'd be looking to get this on the house reef, after doing a local/check dive. Hopefully nothing too challenging.

Thanks again all - I'm finding your input invaluable...

 

[hudson]

AOW helps when you aren't confident in the water. I really see no point in taking your standard AOW course after 30+ dives unless you need the card. In my case, my first AOW dive was my 7th... what I got out of it: 1) I got used to cold water & low vis 2) I learned from other divers who were taking the course 3) I learned your compass can actually take you places when you don't see jack 4) I got to play with scooters... none of this would be of any use later on, much better to spend your money on some other course like a non-PADI rescue course or fundies.

 

[leapfrog]

I
You can never have too much training, and you can't have too many dives, you get both with AOW. As for taking the class on vacation...I was really worn out after taking the class, and working on the skills, I don't think I would like to waste my vacation working like that (But I will dive 'til I drop smoetimes).

Diving is a training intensive activity. To be able to succesfully and safely enjoy dives that go beyond 60ft, tropical reef dives, adequate training in that particular area of diving is the foundation stone. You then need to build experience through actual diving and bottom time.

Those who think that training is "getting certs" have either had bad instructors or are getting their weight belt tangled uo in their reserve second stage and hose. As soon as you start to have new experiences in diving, training is a must.

Now a very personal opinion: all OWDs should aspire to be Rescue Divers. Notice I don't say "reach RD status" or "be certified RDs".

Diving is no different from anything else in life: do you really want to be a RD/DM/OWSI or whatever or just SAY you are?

 

[leapfrog]

I meet Dive Masters with under 25 dives who can't perform/ dive safely. Scarey thought isn't it?

Yeah, the thought is scarey but as Boxcar says, how did someone get to be a DM with 25 dives?

 

[Hawaii Scuba Divers]

Knowledge Is Never BAD but to call someone an ADVANCED DIVER because they have 9 dives and some Book Work I have never Understood????
With PDIC we Request That you have at least 15 dives before you sing up for Advanced Open Water Course.. But doing the class at any Time would be better Than not at ALL SO????
just Realize 9 dives Does not make a ADVANCED DIVER...
Aloha Mark.

 

[leapfrog]

just Realize 9 dives Does not make a ADVANCED DIVER...
Aloha Mark.

Oh, no, here we go again.......................