i passed my PADI open water cert, now what?

[mangoconchile]

i passed by OW test about a month ago. even though both dive days(boat and beach) we did nothing but exercises(with very little exploring) i still enjoyed the experiance. i plan on continuing with this and already have the rest of my gear picked out(through a few different shops/online websites). where do i go from here? i was hoping some people in my class would decide to take it up but they are not. should i just go for the advanced OW next only having completed 4 dives?

 

[kelemvor]

Go diving somewhere! That's what you should do IMO. Rent gear for a while until you are 100% sure you're going to dive enough to justify putting money into a kit for yourself.

Some shops preach AOW right after OW, others require 25 or more dives logged before they'll teach AOW. My LDS was in the later group. There are valid arguments to be made for either course of action.

 

[mangoconchile]

my problem is i dont know ANYONE who is into diving. and even if i find someone, are they really want to go diving with a complete n00b? lol i loved the experiance and it gives me a reason to go out into the ocean so i know i will buy but i need to get a few practice dives in.

 

[tracydr]

Where do you live? There are a lot of areas of the country with active dive clubs, even Phoenix, AZ.
Did you ask at the shop if they have weekly dives to the local mud hole?

 

[diving4ever]

I agree that you just need to dive. Contact your local dive shops and ask them about existing dive clubs--that is an easy way to start doing local dives. If you have a lDS certifying you; they're should be some divers around. If that doesn't work; consider taking a dive trip. You could post for a buddy here on SB or check out organizations like singledivers.com. Enjoy your certification!

 

[tracydr]

It would help if you fill out your profile. You can also post here that you're looking for a dive buddy. Many SB members are more than happy to help a new diver, taking on the role of mentor. Heck, most of us had somebody help when we were starting out.

 

[Slater]

My other half & I with our certifying lds O.E. did our AOW just after OW, the process kept us wet & motivated.
The entire group of OW students agreed to continue with the instructor & cordinated an AOW class over a weekend @ Catalina Casino Point, was awesome!

 

[ScubaShaneVB]

I see nothing wrong with taking AOW right after OW. Assuming it is PADI AOW; this is the only AOW I have taken, it does nothing other than give you a few more supervised dives to make you more confident. If you wait and take it later it will feel like a joke. However taking PADI AOW directly after OW can give you a boost in confidence. You will have instructors and dive masters with you. In my opinion if you are lacking dive buddy's I think taking AOW now is a good choice.

With that being said, you are in the same boat as me. I constantly travel for work so I do not have consistent dive buddies available. I personally join charter boats when possible. Most boats will allow you to sign on a solo diver and buddy up on the boat. I have never had an issue finding a buddy on a charter boat. Also I have made buddy's on charter boats. However once my work moves me I loose those buddy's, and I start over again.

Also I use the internet as suggested by an above poster. Scubaboard, DiveBuddy, and SingleDivers are all good sites for finding buddies. I have had success using these services to find buddies for diving local quarries and lakes.

Feel free to add me as a buddy on this site or DiveBuddy, and I will dive with you when I am in your area. I have encountered a few divers with elitist attitudes, however I do not see that as the norm. For the most part from what I have experienced divers in general are really great friendly people!

 

[Agility]

my problem is i dont know ANYONE who is into diving. and even if i find someone, are they really want to go diving with a complete n00b?

I was in the same situation.
I did AOW to get some supervised dives under my belt. Maybe I would have profited more if I had waited. After my AOW I still did not know any local divers so I looked for a LDS and just marched in. They introduced me to some DM-candidates who love local diving and I went diving nearly every weekend. Now the diveshop gives new divers my number so we can arrange dive excursions on weekends.
Most advanced divers are willing to show new divers the wonders of the subaquatic world.

 

[PsyWulf]

Pick a place and start diving,most divers are happy to buddy if you are up front and state that you are fairly green but willing to learn. Made many friends from pickup-groups diving