Advanced certified

[JS206]

I got Certified through NAUI and took my Advanced Class a week after I finished my Basic Class. I loved learning to dive and was excited to learn more about the sport. I think another poster made a good point when they said what matters is how you feel about it.

For me I felt it would make me a better diver to learn more skills and more about diving in general so I continued on a learning tear that included going on to 3 consecutive specialties (Wreck, Equipment(Can't reccomend this enough. Understanding the gear and how it works, not to mention how to do minor field repairs does alot for peace of mind and comfort with the tools of the sport) and Navigation)in a matter of months. It kept me diving on a regular basis and I don't see how one can go wrong adding specific skills learned under instruction to their portfolio. I can tell you all of those specialties have helped make me understand more about the sport which makes it alot more fun. On top of that friends that had been diving for years couldn't believe how well I did on non-supervised (Meaning: No Instructor Present)boat dives with them after having started only a few months prior.

Again it all depends on how you feel in the water, but I would not hesitate to take the Advanced class. They are only going to teach you more about diving in theory and in practice and getting more experience with greater knowledge is what will make all of us better divers.

 

[int0lerance]

I have been OW certified for about 9 months now and I have yet to take an advanced class. In my opinion, I think it depends on how comfortable you feel with your basic skills.
With a little less than 50 dives under my belt I feel it is about that time to move to the next level of skill. My uncle is an Instructor for NAUI (who certified me) and I have sat in on a few of his advanced classes just for an idea of what they do. (In return I throw tanks and tow floats for student check-out dives) Decompression stops, underwater navigation, night and wreck diving, hunting and collecting are some topics covered in his course. He HIGHLY recommends that before you take the advanced course you become a member of DAN.
Also, don’t forget about the Advanced Rescue classes some agencies offer. There is some great information passed on to you in those classes that could help you and your buddy out in a jam!

Christopher

 

[dsquid]

Well it's becoming farely obvious that not all advanced courses are created equal...although I'd be surprised to hear about a NAUI Advanced class that included decompression training (beyond speaking to it in a classroom setting.)

I would add that joining DAN ASAP is a good idea. I recommend signing up immediately after getting your basic OW card.

Bill

 

[daylight]

Interesting thread.

I think the previous posts are right on target. I really agree with not focusing on the term "advanced" or on the number of dives.

I suggest that you focus on skills, especially bouyancy. You can view your OW cert like a driving learners permit. The OW Cert is just the beginning.

Enjoy

 

[neil]

Dsquid,

NAUI standards do allow for a SIMULATED decompression dive.

Neil

 

[dsquid]

Neil,
http://www.naui.org/training/advanced.html


I imagine there is some leeway provided to instructors so
far as what 'extra' information they desire to impart to their students. Deco simulation probably falls into this category.

Bill

 

[LuvsTurtles]

I just got back from a fabulous dive trip and we did our PADI AOW. We had a super instructor and it was great to have three seasoned diver masters/instructors critique our skills and provide helpful suggestions. This also opens us to the next level of Rescue/Medic which, IMHO, all divers should learn.

 

[egg007]

Take my advice based on experiance do the advanced as soon as possible.
I did OW and 1 additional dive (The learning experience on that one dive was worth 20 dives of normal experience0.
That additional dive had the following wrong experiences:

10 mins suited up time breathing fumes whilst the dive instructor looked underwater for some womans sunglasses that had fallen off.

penetration into an overhead cave (slight but still a nono)

A dive buddy who wandered off from the group repeatedly. Out went the theory on the buddy system

A low air situation, I came back into the boat with 250psi

68 mins at 60 feet

This experience convinced me i needed to get more experience and fast.
An AOW course allows you to learn more teory and prepares you for a wider range of experiences such as boat dive, night dive and DEEP DIVE TO 120 feet that give you added experience under an instructor. Having done the AOW in 5 dives (PADI) and with 1 dive post my OW cert i am an advanced diver. Althogh i dont have the experience of a 40 duve diver often they have never been to 120 feet (and felt the isotherms etc) and how many divers do you know that have done a night dive. Also I made a lot of mistakes in the AOW all of which were pointed out to me and have helped me become a better diver.

Fast track your experience with AOW

 

[Manogr]

After some discussions with my instructor and after reading some posts here and in other boards I believe that it does not really matter when you choose to complete a PADI AOW certification. I am writing about padi because this is what I know about....

The reason is simple...Advanced does not mean for advance divers or that it will make you an advanced diver !!!

A better name should be Open Water 2 You gain more experiences in various specialties and you continue your education...nothing more !! A really advanced diver you become only with practice and experience !

This is my opinion and because of time management (summer job break) I will complete my AOW dives now that i just completed my open water cert.

Dive Safe...

Manogr

 

[bcfrench]

I agree -- don't get hung up on the word "advanced". At least in PADI, it's really an extension of your open water training.

I took AOW after about 15 dives and it felt right to me, and I'm glad I took it when I did. The instruction you get at that level really just extends what you worked on in open water. Think of open water as the skills you need for minimum competence and personal safety. Think of advanced as extending that competence to make the skills automatic so you can focus on what diving's really about: enjoying yourself, not about having to concentrate so hard just on performing the skills.

IMHO, in PADI, really advanced training doesn't start until you hit Rescue Diver. I started taking Rescue Diver after I'd had about 50 dives. I think every active diver should take rescue training -- if nothing else because it hones your own skills for self rescue, makes you far more aware of important safety issues, and makes you much more valuable to your buddy.

I'm finishing Divemaster now (doing my last two quarry sessions this weekend -- then it's just my physical and final exam to go! :-D ) and I just logged my 90th dive this past weekend, not counting training dives.

...Barb