AOW Specialties

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utdivermatt

Contributor
Messages
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Location
Knoxville, TN
# of dives
100 - 199
Hey everyone,
So here is the problem I got right now. I am about to take my PADI AOW class, and need to figure out which specialties I want to do. The place I am doing it requires (maybe PADI requires too... I dont know for sure) deep dive and underwater navigation, which is good, because I really would like to do both of those anyways, as I feel they will be very benificial. So now I have to pick 3. I am thinking for sure I want Night Diving (So I can take advantage of night diving) and Peak Performance Buoyancy (I dont think mine is bad, but I think its really important, so feel it is definatly one that I should do). Any ideas for what the last should be? I would do drysuit, but I dont think I will use it much in Tennessee (maybe someone who does more diving in TN can tell me different). The photo and video ones dont seem like something I really want to do right now. The Fish ID (who came up with that) and Underwater naturalist really seem pointless to me. I dont need a cert to ID fish or make sure I know what not to do underwater. Im not really sure how many that leaves, but I just really dont know which one to do and was looking for suggestions. Also, does it make sense to do the ones I am already thinking about? I want to do the specialties I will use the most, and learn the most from, so any suggestions or critism is welcome (No PADI bashing please). Hope to hear all of your ideas!
 
I think you should just do whatever interests you. I would imagine that Stress and rescue would be very beneficial.

I'm doing deep, nav, night and nitrix for my AOW, then Stress and Rescue for the DM
 
Would I actually use Search and Rescue? Im not sure how many things Ill be searching for anytime soon. Sometimes I know I say that now and wish laster I had known how, so I am curious as to how much it is used.


Also, I forgot to mention I am taking a Nitrox class along with it, so no reason to use Nitrox in my AOW. Also, I wanted to do wreck diving as one, but there is no where around here with wrecks from what the instructor was saying. Thanks again for the help!
 
There's also Boat diving, altitude diving, Drift diving., Muti-level computer diving, Diver propulsion vehicles, Search and Recovery not Search and Rescue, and Wreck Diving to consider. Search and Recovery will most likely come in handy for nearly anyone and Multi-level computer diving can never hurt you.
 
Nitrox...definitely. Anyone getting AOW should grab nitrox too because you can overlap with two of the AOW dives and get a cert that is actually useful (sorry, I don't think too much of AOW in general, but YMMV). Nitrox should be part of BOW IMHO. It'll usually save you some money to combine nitrox with AOW.

If not Nitrox, then just pick something that sounds fun like the DPV (I ended up doing that one in AOW just for the heck of it). Seriously, you're not going to be an expert in any of these areas after one dive in each. It's mostly about diving a few times and having fun and filling out some seriously stupid knowledge reviews. :D
 
Remember that the Advanced Course will not teach you everything you need to know about a specialty. It is a sampler course only - it introduces some more ideas, techniques and practice.

I personally LOVE naturalist and Fish ID - but that's what we do here...fun diving with an emphasis on the creatures and habitiat. Learning how to ID things and to recognize different ecosystems/habitats etc increases your awareness underwater and many of the site specific things are applicable anywhere you go diving. There should also be a lot of concentration on your diving skills in both of these as the better diver you are, the more creatures you will see and the more places you can get into without mangling the reef. These types of specialties work very well in some areas and may even replace the need for things like Peak Performance Buoyancy as many of the same concepts and exercises are incorporated.

Search and Recovery is a great addition to your skills - even if you never recover anything. It should help with all the basics, make you more situationally aware and help with your navigation.

Remember - these are samplers, not the whole course. You will not be a fabulous Navigator or Deep (or insert topic name here) diver after doing the Advanced Course - it is meant as an introduction of some new things + practice on basics with supervision & support by an instructor.

As will all specialties (all courses, really) it's the instructor that is going to make or break it so talk to her/him about your options. She/he should be able to offer advice to best meet your goals and your needs/interests. She/he should also be able to explain what benefits you may find in each option that go beyond the obvious ;)

Have fun!
 
utdiver, I can't think of anywhere warm to dive right now in TN so drysuit may be a good option. I enjoyed wreck because I learned to shoot a bag. That was an SSI speciality; I'm not sure if PADI includes the liftbag. Nitrox is the most useful in every situation.
 
My thoughts... everyone can benefit from better buoyancy and trying out better trim. (When was the last time you spent a dive focussing on these?...)

A fun dive or two can be good... I did DPV. I also did a Drysuit class at the same time, be advised that you would likely need extra pool time with a drysuit. Also if you want to dive most lakes in times other than the peak of summer you may want to look into a drysuit. I know a drysuit is helpful for diving in north Georgia.

Also I'm not sure if you can count Nitrox as a dive for AOW, but you should do it anyway.

Yet another note, make sure your instructor is ok with the night dive, mine didn't want to go out at night.
 
Glycerin:
I would imagine that Stress and rescue would be very beneficial.

I'm

I'm going through SSI which has a Stress and rescue specialty. I just now found out the PADI doesn't. I'm not sure if there is anything similar to it though.
 

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