AOW agency differences

[kidspot]

Disclaimer: I did several searches but didn't find the answer - so if I've missed it I'd appreciate a nudge in the direction of that post -

I'm looking at taking my AOW course with a local shop (B&B Scuba in Kihei for those of you familiar with them) They were recommended by my BOW instructor as one of the best choices on the island.

When I spoke with them I found they offer both PADI and IANTD (my BOW was through NAUI) I'm leaning toward IANTD because it includes bookwork that PADI's does not - (What can I say - I like studying) Would there be any pros or cons to one agency or another in the AOW course. I understand the instructor is the primary point of "pros and cons" but in this case he offers both.

Soon afterward I'd like to get my Nitrox cert, which they only offer through IANTD.

Anyway - Any comments on the differences in materials between PADI and IANTD - which would I probably get more out of both in terms of experience and knowledge? Or is it like most BOW courses where it doesn't really matter?

Thanks, Tim

P.S. Extrapolating into the future, Is there much of a difference between the technical training agencies?

 

[Walter]

I'm not familiar with IANTD's AOW course, but it's likely a better choice if there's more academics. If you have already discussed it with the instructor, you know exactly what the options are, I'm wondering why you're asking.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Disclaimer: I did several searches but didn't find the answer - so if I've missed it I'd appreciate a nudge in the direction of that post -

I'm looking at taking my AOW course with a local shop (B&B Scuba in Kihei for those of you familiar with them) They were recommended by my BOW instructor as one of the best choices on the island.

When I spoke with them I found they offer both PADI and IANTD (my BOW was through NAUI) I'm leaning toward IANTD because it includes bookwork that PADI's does not - (What can I say - I like studying) Would there be any pros or cons to one agency or another in the AOW course. I understand the instructor is the primary point of "pros and cons" but in this case he offers both.

Soon afterward I'd like to get my Nitrox cert, which they only offer through IANTD.

Anyway - Any comments on the differences in materials between PADI and IANTD - which would I probably get more out of both in terms of experience and knowledge? Or is it like most BOW courses where it doesn't really matter?

Thanks, Tim

P.S. Extrapolating into the future, Is there much of a difference between the technical training agencies?

B&B's an awesome shop ... who'll be your instructor? Brad? Charlie?

The effectiveness of your AOW class will really depend more on the instructor than the agency. The curriculum should reflect your goals, rather than the agency "minimum requirements".

Talk to the instructor ... review the course requirements for each class. Compare them to what you want to get out of the course. Discuss how you can achieve those goals within the context of the proposed curriculum.

Then make your decision ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[simbrooks]

For some into on AOW courses, i started these thread a while back on AOW and rescue courses. Like you i couldnt find out much about the IANTD course, however i dont know many instructors around here who teach under that.

The PADI course can include some useful info, but i can tell you that unless your instructor puts something into it, most likely it will be a few dives that will cover some experiences with different environments and some tasks (like navigation), you might have courses that can help you along in your skills (like PPB and search and recovery), but the others are just to get used to say diving deep, around a wreck, on a drift/boat/at night etc. Dont know about the IANTD course outline. Maybe you should just email or phone up and ask what is included from the store and see if they recommend it over the other?

Nitrox is fairly straightforward whoever you get it through. Some require dives to get into the planning/testing angle in a "real life" situation, others dont.

As for the future tech stuff - what are you aiming at doing, going deep to wrecks, penetration, caves or a combo of the above. A bunch of agencies offer overhead/cavern type courses that lead onto more technical stuff.

 

[Willar]

I haven't heard of IANTD before this discussion. Is it widely recognized? Something to think about since I've heard of dive boats not accepting certain agency credentials. PADI is recognized worldwide.

 

[kidspot]

I've come to highly respect the opinion of folks here on this board (ok there are a few people not worth listening to but they are pretty easy to spot) thus the question - With the extensive experience represented here I figure it's never a bad idea to get a second opinion.

As to the instructor I know Brad is at least one of them (he's the gentleman I spoke with) but I don't know if Charlie also does some of the teaching or not.

I'd kind of like to find a good instructor and continue learning from them as far as possible - my BOW instructor only did my class as a favor for a friend (he doesn't normally teach)

And as far as my future goals, for now I just want experience, lots and lots of experience. Then as that grows I would like to be able to do the dives that come along, and not have training be the missing ingredient keeping me from doing them. So I may continue with 60ft max depths for awhile while I learn good buoyancy and breathing control, but my buddy and I are both pretty inquisitive, and I figure eventually we'll want to know what's down deeper, what's inside that wreck/cave etc. and where else can we explore within the bounds of our training and experience levels.

I'm pretty "wet behind the ears" (literally) so I'm still depending on the experience of others when it comes to evaluating available training as far as what's normal and what resembles "excellence".

Thanks all for the input - Tim

P.S. My decision also affects several of my buddies as they trust me to line up classes for all of us - so my decisions and choices affect others as well (don't they all?)

 

[Walter]

Talk to the instructors, see which one gives you the most training - classroom and in water. Take that class.