Aow=bs

[all4scuba05]

What's wrong with a lot of AOW classes is that they are marketed as "five more dives with a qualified instructor" ... ... qualified for what? If they don't teach you anything new ... if they don't challenge you to improve your skills and show you how to take your diving to a higher level ... then what's the qualification? And if it happens to be the same instructor you took your OW with, then perhaps you should be asking yourself why you need five more guided dives in the first place. Aren't they supposed to be teaching you how to plan and conduct dives as part of your basic OW training?... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Wow, this should be made a Sticky!!!

 

[all4scuba05]

AOW, regardless of operator, is definitely not bs in my mind as it does provide value to the many divers who have just either discovered the sport or need more *direct* attention for just a bit longer in their learning. Alex

And there lies the problem. The value should have been provided in OW. If they still need more handholding they should have asked their OW instructor for more time in water. Instead, they get OW certified, while not feeling sure of their own skills and therefore think another class is the solution. Repeat OW or else pay the instructor to take you out a few more times. Ofcourse not everyone learns at the same pace. So why is the entire class graduating at the same time? Some need more time.

Unfortunately, if students fail, they are probably not going to spend any more money at that shop. But that's another thread.

 

[GA Under Water]

Is it me or was I the only one that had to Read the chapters on the Dives, Complete the Knowledge reviews and preform other skills satisfactorily for my Instructor before heading on the Dive that corresponded with the "adventure dive?"
Some (not all) Skills that I had to do prior to the dives:
Search and Recovery; Explain and show, on land, search patterns. Tie the required knots with 5mm gloves and blind-folded, interview witnesses on object and location.
Multi-level/Computer; work out 3 profiles using the Wheel and explain how I came up with the numbers.
PPB; Describe how to come to a starting weight based on 3 different gear configurations. explain how I came to the starting weight that I used that day. explain a proper Buoyancy check and demonstrate it.

Again, this was before I did any dives. Maybe not everyone gets this much out of it.

Personally, I found AOW added a good bit beyond my OW training.

I would have to point the finger at the diver that didn't take the time to retain his knowledge. Then again I always blame the student, just because the student failed to study and practice prior doesn't mean the Agency is at fault. And if the instructor is horrible, if you practiced your due diligence you could have spotted what any instructor was trying to skip.

Edit:: However, if the students can't perform the requirements and the instructor passes them, then it is both the Instructor and the student that are at fault.

 

[Tanker299]

And there lies the problem. The value should have been provided in OW. If they still need more handholding they should have asked their OW instructor for more time in water. Instead, they get OW certified, while not feeling sure of their own skills and therefore think another class is the solution. Repeat OW or else pay the instructor to take you out a few more times. Ofcourse not everyone learns at the same pace. So why is the entire class graduating at the same time? Some need more time.

Unfortunately, if students fail, they are probably not going to spend any more money at that shop. But that's another thread.

Absolutely some need more time, not everyone learns at the same pace yet the industry says "we need more divers". Now, a new diver has few choices, clearly they should ask for more time with an instructor, and indeed some do, but, if the class has a *set* graduating date (and I'm choosing my words here very carefully), most humans will forego asking because they know there is another class where they will be able to further solidify their new learned skills.

Now, and here is what troubles me, if the instructor knows the student is not ready for OW, then *he/she* shouldn't be thinking of AOW as a remedial stage and he/she should be failing that student or suggesting more time right there and then.

However, that doesn't happen often and I certainly don't want to get into a discussion as to why not, but, after OW and AOW you still don't know how to use your gear, or don't know hand signals, or disregard safety then yes, you either need massive amounts of hand holding or should realize that maybe, just maybe diving is not for you, *but* if your only issues are barfing and not being able to adjust your gear while in the water, then you just need more diving. Experience comes with practice.

Alex

 

[perdidochas]

It's the number of dives, end of story..............

It's also the type of dives. Diving in springs doesn't do much to teach you about boat entries and exits. A million dives in springs and he still might not know how to do a giant stride or how to smoothly hand fins to someone while hanging onto a ladder.

 

[Web Monkey]

It's also the type of dives. Diving in springs doesn't do much to teach you about boat entries and exits. A million dives in springs and he still might not know how to do a giant stride or how to smoothly hand fins to someone while hanging onto a ladder.

Why would you want to hand your fins to someone? If you get knocked off, you'll need them.

Terry

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Why would you want to hand your fins to someone? If you get knocked off, you'll need them.

Terry

Depends on the circumstances or configuration of the boat. Sometimes it's more of a pain to hang onto them than it's worth ... and if for some reason you end up back in the water, a tossed line solves the problem far more easily than putting your fins back on (only to have to take them off again to have another go at climbing the ladder).

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[perdidochas]

Why would you want to hand your fins to someone? If you get knocked off, you'll need them.

Terry

Or put around your wrist. In tame conditions (which the Keys usually are), I have handed them up. In less tame, of course, they go around the wrist.

 

[Web Monkey]

Or put around your wrist. In tame conditions (which the Keys usually are), I have handed them up. In less tame, of course, they go around the wrist.

I always keep them. There's plenty of room on my arms.

Been knocked off once and was very happy to have fins with me.

Terry

 

[pir8]

hers a vote for the wrists