AOW: Different meaning for different agency?

[b1draper]

Actually here's what the SSI training standards says about crossover training; which means being a PADI DiveMaster and crossing over to the SSI Dive Con. This document contains all of the specifications regarding course training. However the info about the Dive Con and Dive Con crossover start on pages 38 and 39 respectivly.

I would assume that PADI also has a simmular training path.

http://www.ssiusa.com/pdf/2007_SSI_TrainStd.pdf

 

[b1draper]

Here's the PADI dive master requirments

http://www.padi.com/padi/en/kd/divemaster.aspx

 

[garyfotodiver]

Now, I did both the SSI Stress/Rescue and the AOW. S/R comes first in the SSI scheme of things and I agree with this philosophy.

To me, the word advanced means something that is seriously beyond the beginning. I do not believe that taking 5 more dives with an instructor prepares one for anything except taking more dives with an instructor.

Just my opinion, but I have donned my Nomex suit.

 

[frankc420]

I think what Dawg is getting at is this, with either agency, SSI or PADI, your are NOT getting certified in the specialties you dive, they are an 'intro' to each of the specialties. No matter if your diving your AOW w/ SSI or PADI, you still have to take the classes on each specialty if you want to get certified in them.

Dawg, you do not get certs for the specialties you do with SSI AOW. You would simply get SSI AOW card. Then later if you wanted to get certified as a deep diver, you could take the SSI Deep Diver course, and same w/ PADI, you would have to take the class to get PADI Deep Diver...

As someone was saying before, your aiming for Divemaster (PADI) or Divecon (SSI), which, both require you to be a rescue diver, and, require 5 specialty certs, which 3 are mandatory by either agency, Navigation, Deep Diver, & Night.

I hope my understanding is correct in this because I am also certified SSI OW. I've spoken to MANY SSI and PADI instructors about this and they tell me the same thing I've said above.

 

[fisherdvm]

To me, the word advanced means something that is seriously beyond the beginning. I do not believe that taking 5 more dives with an instructor prepares one for anything except taking more dives with an instructor.

Not to want to convert this to an SSI better than PADI thread... But for an average person who just want to get more experience, PADI AOW is a great way for them to build confidence with planning your own dive.

You can pay extra money to do SSI specialty in deep diving, night diving, and navigation... Or just pay once, and do the essential of these programs..

Gary, if you have an agenda, then let us know... I think SSI and PADI just offer divers many options to get the comfort they need to plan and execute their dive.

If you want more, NAUI is the way to go.... I am just a recreational diver, and not into inflating PADI or NAUI... Many ways to skin a cat... PADI was the way for me, and SSI would be fine for my son.

 

[oly5050user]

I think what Dawg is getting at is this, with either agency, SSI or PADI, your are NOT getting certified in the specialties you dive, they are an 'intro' to each of the specialties. No matter if your diving your AOW w/ SSI or PADI, you still have to take the classes on each specialty if you want to get certified in them.

Dawg, you do not get certs for the specialties you do with SSI AOW. You would simply get SSI AOW card. Then later if you wanted to get certified as a deep diver, you could take the SSI Deep Diver course, and same w/ PADI, you would have to take the class to get PADI Deep Diver...

As someone was saying before, your aiming for Divemaster (PADI) or Divecon (SSI), which, both require you to be a rescue diver, and, require 5 specialty certs, which 3 are mandatory by either agency, Navigation, Deep Diver, & Night.

I hope my understanding is correct in this because I am also certified SSI OW. I've spoken to MANY SSI and PADI instructors about this and they tell me the same thing I've said above.

for PADI dm specialities not required,rescue of course is...

 

[DeputyDan]

Wouldn't is make much more sense if AOW stood for "Additional Open Water"

But it wouldn't sell as good!

 

[oly5050user]

Ok, so let's say I went with SSI and got my DiveCon. If later I wanted to get certified as a PADI DM for versatility purposes, would i just have to take the PADI DM course or would i have to take all their specialties?

Seems to me like the SSI program is better and more thorough training, but the PADI DM offers the individual a little more flexibility with what you can do with it.

when you take PADI DM just take DM course..specialities have nothing to do with the rating..if you are planning to actually work at the level of DM either get that understanding up front with the SSI facility for thats the only type of facility it is usefull..With PADI the oppertunity for using the rating is much more available..
I am formerly an ssi owsi (#1409) and current PADI instr(#6565).

 

[NorCalDawg]

I think what Dawg is getting at is this, with either agency, SSI or PADI, your are NOT getting certified in the specialties you dive, they are an 'intro' to each of the specialties. No matter if your diving your AOW w/ SSI or PADI, you still have to take the classes on each specialty if you want to get certified in them.

Dawg, you do not get certs for the specialties you do with SSI AOW. You would simply get SSI AOW card. Then later if you wanted to get certified as a deep diver, you could take the SSI Deep Diver course, and same w/ PADI, you would have to take the class to get PADI Deep Diver...

As someone was saying before, your aiming for Divemaster (PADI) or Divecon (SSI), which, both require you to be a rescue diver, and, require 5 specialty certs, which 3 are mandatory by either agency, Navigation, Deep Diver, & Night.

I hope my understanding is correct in this because I am also certified SSI OW. I've spoken to MANY SSI and PADI instructors about this and they tell me the same thing I've said above.

Thanks frank, i went by the dive shop today (SSI) to talk to them about it. Shop owner told me that SSI AOW includes taking four full specialty classes. In other words, i'd actually be doing the specialty course, not an intro. And once i had passed 4 specialty classes i would be certified as AOW. Not like PADI where you do an intro to the specialties.

 

[frankc420]

Thanks frank, i went by the dive shop today (SSI) to talk to them about it. Shop owner told me that SSI AOW includes taking four full specialty classes. In other words, i'd actually be doing the specialty course, not an intro. And once i had passed 4 specialty classes i would be certified as AOW. Not like PADI where you do an intro to the specialties.

In that case you should get 5 seperate cards. (If that's how specialty certs work).

One for each of your specialties, and one for AOW. Else, your only getting certified as AOW. No matter how he puts it, unless it's documented to you, your still only getting AOW.