Dnaber
Contributor
Ok I'm AOW certified. Now let's say I want to vacation in the Keys and dive the Vandenberg or dive a deep 120' reef. Would I need to provide proof of any additional training?
I have a question about my AOW certification.
- Thread starter Dnaber
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PatW
Contributor
It is possible to take AOW in PADI without the deep water specialty. However, in my experience, operators seem to assume that if you have AOW, you have the training for deep diving.
Mouth Breather
Contributor
Every time I visit the keys they ask to see my AOW card, nothing else.
Basking Ridge Diver
Contributor
Just my 2 psi - if you have not done a deep dive like the Vandenberg - you may want to hire a guide the first time. What I found is there is a network of ropes that you will descend on and then traverse and descend again to the Vandenberg. It is not one straight anchor line down to the main deck so you need to consider this time and traversing on your ascent and gas management. Just my opinion - now that I have done the Vandenberg with a guide I would feel better about doing it on my own. Currents, bottom time and depth all play a factor if you have not done a dive like this before...
Some operators will require you to show your AOW card (or higher certification card), some will take your word for it, and others will assume that if you want to do the dive, then you are qualified to do it.
I have never heard of an operator requiring the deep specialty card for deep recreational dives, but that is not to say that they don't exist. I think your best bet is to call ahead and make sure you meet their criteria for the dives you want to do, and then take the necessary cards with you.
Based on my experience, a dive operator (assuming you are going with one) may ask to see your AOW card to make sure you are certified to go deeper than 60 feet, but other than that, there shouldn't be a need to show them anything else. I agree with Basking Ridge Diver though...doing a dive like that, in somewhat unknown conditions (to you), would be much better served (and probably safer) with a local guide.
drrich2
Contributor
drrich2
Contributor
I have not done the Vandenberg. I have done the Spiegel Grove & Duane, with Rainbow Reef Dive Center. A few points from my limited experience:
1.) I'd giant stride off the back of the boat, then use a rope at the surface to get around the side of the vessel to the front, then to the mooring ball, then hand-over-hand down the line to the wreck. There may be current. This whole process can get my chubby self winded before I even go under. I was using 100 cf tanks; some op.s may have 100 cf tanks on request, so unless you are very petite and have great gas consumption rates, I'd suggest getting a big tank for a deep wreck.
2.) The lines from the mooring balls to the wrecks had on them what I thought at the time were barnacles, and someone else told me might be razor clams. Plus, there's always the chance of fire coral or something else unpleasant growing on permanent submerged lines. So a pair of gloves might be nice.
Richard.
1.) I'd giant stride off the back of the boat, then use a rope at the surface to get around the side of the vessel to the front, then to the mooring ball, then hand-over-hand down the line to the wreck. There may be current. This whole process can get my chubby self winded before I even go under. I was using 100 cf tanks; some op.s may have 100 cf tanks on request, so unless you are very petite and have great gas consumption rates, I'd suggest getting a big tank for a deep wreck.
2.) The lines from the mooring balls to the wrecks had on them what I thought at the time were barnacles, and someone else told me might be razor clams. Plus, there's always the chance of fire coral or something else unpleasant growing on permanent submerged lines. So a pair of gloves might be nice.
Richard.
gr8jab
Contributor
Yes! Thankfully I'm not the only one. I hate hanging around on the surface (back inflator BC), but I also I hate starting my dive while sucking wind. Sometimes those young punks just don't understand that us chubby desk jockeys need a moment to catch our wind. I normally dislike snorkels, but this is one time where they save gas and make life more comfortable.
I dove the Spiegel Grove and Duane last week. The Spiegel Grove was just as you described. There were some sharp things on the line, but I also discovered some fire-coral starting to grow on the mid-line float (half way down). I only used an 80cf tank of Nitrox32, since my SAC is never the worst of the group. With just a buddy (and no group), I would have enjoyed and fully utilized the 80cf. For me, with a 100cf Nitrox32, I would probably ascend to avoid deco before air ran low. I can't recall the exact depths, so I'm just guessing.
Our dive on the Duane was really great. The current was substantial. They hooked the stern of the dive boat to the up-current (Duane bow?) buoy and we all hurried into the water (no granny line). Once on the bottom, we slowly explored with the current, going back and forth as much as we wanted. When reaching the stern line, we ascended to the waiting dive boat (which had moved to the other buoy). It was a 'drift boat wreck' dive... I think.
I used a pair of cheap Gorilla-Glove, which were excellent for these type of dives. They were less than $5, provided decent protection, and were very comfortable.
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