Advanced Open Water - SSI vs. PADI

[shark.byte.usa]

I understand that AOW = 24 dives.

What I am asking is:

AOW = 24 of any type of dives or

Deep Dive 6
Nav 6
Wreck 6
Night __6___
AOW = 24

Nope just 24 logged dives and 4 specialties, so of course some of those dives may be for your specialties, but it's just 24 logged dives.

 

[shark.byte.usa]

"most expensive" and "best" are not necessarily the same thing

You are absolutely right, I mispoke (typed). On the same note, I don't see that reference even once in my SSI OW manual, maybe ofthewall's talking about a Divecon manual or something.

 

[Spratman]

Mucho gracias!

Nope just 24 logged dives and 4 specialties, so of course some of those dives may be for your specialties, but it's just 24 logged dives.

 

[m7scuba]

I understand that AOW = 24 dives.

What I am asking is:

AOW = 24 of any type of dives or

Deep Dive 6
Nav 6
Wreck 6
Night __6___
AOW = 24

Each specialty typically requires 2 dives. One dive can satisfy requirements for up to 2 specialties. I think that you need a total of 6 dives (minimum) to get the 4 specialties required for AOW.

 

[Otter]

Almost all of the PADI specialties have their own book that you will need to purchase if you want a certification in that specialty. The exceptions are specialties like ice and cavern that have no text at all.

All that's in the PADI OW manual is a primer on each specialty and the first half of the knowledge review for each...the second half of each knowledge review is in the text for that specialty.

I believe Mike meant the PADI Advanced Open Water manual is the primer.....

 

[puckvirus]

The shop that I went for my SSI AOW class I had 8 dives to my credit. I spoke with my instructor and he let me in the class but he made the point of stating that I would not actually get my card untill I had reached the 24 dives required. Even thou I had completed all skills, it was that number set by SSI that the limiting factor for me to get my AOW card till I hit 24.

Then it was just a matter of going back to the instructor and having him sign off and send away for my card after I hit 24.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I believe Mike meant the PADI Advanced Open Water manual is the primer.....

Yep, that's what I meant. Thanks.

 

[diverbrian]

The shop that I went for my SSI AOW class I had 8 dives to my credit. I spoke with my instructor and he let me in the class but he made the point of stating that I would not actually get my card untill I had reached the 24 dives required. Even thou I had completed all skills, it was that number set by SSI that the limiting factor for me to get my AOW card till I hit 24.

Then it was just a matter of going back to the instructor and having him sign off and send away for my card after I hit 24.

I do believe the idea is that they want you to get dives that not for a class to remind the student that diving is supposed to be fun. Hence, the six extra dives to get the four specialities and then working your way up to 24 dives period. I have had the recent displeasure of diving with a highly "certified" individual who has done NOT ONE DIVE outside of a class in over 100 dives in his dive career. Once you see that, you understand the motivation for pushing people to "just dive".

 

[Spratman]

Thanks! That was my other question.

Jack

Each specialty typically requires 2 dives. One dive can satisfy requirements for up to 2 specialties. I think that you need a total of 6 dives (minimum) to get the 4 specialties required for AOW.