Advanced Open Water Certification Requirements

[Chris Cheatwood]

I have been Open Water certified for nearly a year. I have 26 logged dives and I was starting to look at starting my Advanced Open Water certification. I spoke with my local dive shop (the one who I have done the majority of my business with, but not my OW Cert--I got my OW cert while on vacation in FL). The shop does training through SSI. They require you to earn four specialties plus have 24 dives with one of their instructors through their trips. Doing some research on SSI's site, they require the four specialty courses and 24 logged open water dives. What are your thoughts on them wanting 24 dives with an instructor through their trips? I see it as a means to generate extra revenue through trips.

 

[SnorkelLA]

Yeah, that sounds like a bit of a crock to me.

 

[mala]

the shop cant make up their own standards.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I have been Open Water certified for nearly a year. I have 26 logged dives and I was starting to look at starting my Advanced Open Water certification. I spoke with my local dive shop (the one who I have done the majority of my business with, but not my OW Cert--I got my OW cert while on vacation in FL). The shop does training through SSI. They require you to earn four specialties plus have 24 dives with one of their instructors through their trips. Doing some research on SSI's site, they require the four specialty courses and 24 logged open water dives. What are your thoughts on them wanting 24 dives with an instructor through their trips? I see it as a means to generate extra revenue through trips.

It's a sure indication that you should find another shop ... that one's going to keep finding creative ways to separate you from your money ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[emoreira]

The SSI requires 24 logged dives and 4 specialties (with checkout dives) to get the AOWD card. There is no mention that those dives were made with any specific instructor or shop. There are several SSI specialties that do not sum up for AOWD. Those specialties do not require checkout dives (Nitrox, Underwater photo, etc).
With the amount of dives, and the specialties checked out, any SSI agency should present the paper work to SSI to give you the card.
You can download from the SSI web site the "SSI Training and Dealer Standards 2012" that apply for your particular region. There you will find all the information required and what the LDS could ask or not.
I fully agree with Bob that it´s time to start searching for a better shop.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I'm with NWgratefulDiver here. The shop is gauging you. You might want to consider another shop or another agency. A PADI advanced open water course has no minimum dive requirements, but you have a decent number of logged dives already. Shops that add requirements for which they charge are no playing fair. There is another thread active today about that. Here's another example. In short, you are getting hosed.
DivemasterDennis

 

[KStancil]

Hello all. I am one of Chris's friends and I sent SSI a question about what the dive shop was saying. Here is their response.

Kirk Mortensen

According to SSI standards you are required to have 24 logged dives and 4 diving specialty coursed. The only dives where instructor supervision is required are the specialty dives.

Thank you

SSI HQ

 

[al248005]

Ya you should be able to do your 24 dives without someone from the shop being present. Just a gimmick to get more money on trips. I hardly ever dive with the guy that owns the LDS I use and I'm taking his SSI AOW right now.

 

[flots am]

I have been Open Water certified for nearly a year. I have 26 logged dives and I was starting to look at starting my Advanced Open Water certification. I spoke with my local dive shop (the one who I have done the majority of my business with, but not my OW Cert--I got my OW cert while on vacation in FL). The shop does training through SSI. They require you to earn four specialties plus have 24 dives with one of their instructors through their trips. Doing some research on SSI's site, they require the four specialty courses and 24 logged open water dives. What are your thoughts on them wanting 24 dives with an instructor through their trips? I see it as a means to generate extra revenue through trips.

It's a touch sleazy and not true, although I can think of worse ways to blow some money than on a SCUBA trip.

You can do the dives with any other diver. No instructor is necessary.

flots.

 

[GROBIOG]

Before you go to another shop, just clarify with the one you have been doing business with for a awhile now, and being happy with them I'm assuming, could it be miscommunication?