Beyond PADI's AOW class?

[Knight_of_Avalon]

After finishing PADI's Advanced Open Water Diving class, what else is worth taking? In my particular case, I have a good bit of altitude and deep diving experience, but only in lakes/quarries. I have no experience in overhead environments, and my night diving . . . well, I'm familiar with the theory, but the night adventure dive was lacking a certain rigorousness.

So what should I be looking at? Due to a lack of representation in my area, only PADI and NAUI classes are an option.

 

[TMHeimer]

I'm sure many will recommend Rescue as the #1 choice. Especially since tons of rescue stuff that apparently was covered years ago in OW isn't any longer. Other than that it just depends on what you want to do. Can't go wrong with Deep Diver. PADI Wreck course is OK, but you really don't need it unless you intend to penetrate. In that case, you need more than basic Wreck, as the penetration there is very basic. Peak Perf. Buoyancy helped me a lot, but you're probably past needing it. Can't go wrong with Underwater Nav either. I took the Night specialty. The Adventure dive was good enough--not much more to it with the specialty. Then there's the Ice course, all the Cave stuff, if you're into that. And the stuff that doesn't necessarily improve diving and safety but may be interesting, like U.W. Photog, Naturalist, etc.

 

[fisheater]

Rescue. Peak Performance Buoyancy. Any other that you're personally interested in and for which you have found a knowledgeable instructor.


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[buddhasummer]

Rescue. Peak Performance Buoyancy. Any other that you're personally interested in and for which you have found a knowledgeable instructor.


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Totally agree..Rescue was the most beneficial PADI course Ive done although Im sure the Instructor makes a big difference as to quality. PPB can also be good to fine tune your buoyancy. I personally have found most of the "Specialities" I have taken to be a waste of money. YMMV.

 

[j yaeger]

get buddies and dive!!!!!!
rescue class
dive some more....

some courses become "lame" due to the instructor or shop's $$$need
find a dm for a buddy and just do it

have fun
yaeg

 

[The Chairman]

Dive your butt off. Classes are great if you need skills, but most divers I know simply lack experience.

 

[DevonDiver]

I think that every diver should aspire/plan to reach Rescue Diver. That is the 'complete' diver in my definition - with skills and knowledge to prevent and intervene in emergency scenarios.

After that, it really depends upon your personal diving goals. Choose courses that have particular interest for you, or otherwise allow you to achieve your desired results. For speciality courses, it's critical that you research the experience of the instructor if you are to avoid an 'off-the-shelf' bare-bones type of course (which is worthless). Find an instructor who is actively involved in the specialist diving activity that you want to learn - and they will add much more value to the course.

For example:

Do a deep diving course (or PPB) with an instructor who is already an active tech diver/instructor.

Do a photography course with an instructor who is an avid (and published) photographer.

Do a Fish ID course with an instructor who has a background in marine biology.

 

[RikRaeder]

I think you should take Equipment Specialist, Drift Diving, Boat Diver, and Emergency Oxygen Provider. Of course your needs may differ. What do YOU think you would enjoy/benefit from?

 

[TSandM]

Rescue is definitely worth taking.

After that, you have to ask yourself what else you WANT from your diving. Do you need to do some more night diving with an instructor, in hopes that they'll show you some more things? Do you want to fine-tune your buoyancy? Do you need to master stability when task-loaded?

One of the finest instructors with whom I have had the privilege of working told me, "Do all the dives you can do with the certification you have, and when you are bored, go get more training." He was speaking of the technical level, but it works for recreational diving, too. Do all the dives you want to do with the training you have. If you see holes, where you could be more comfortable or more effective, look for some training in that area.

 

[Knight_of_Avalon]

Rescue is definitely worth taking.

After that, you have to ask yourself what else you WANT from your diving. Do you need to do some more night diving with an instructor, in hopes that they'll show you some more things? Do you want to fine-tune your buoyancy? Do you need to master stability when task-loaded?

. . . If you see holes, where you could be more comfortable or more effective, look for some training in that area.

Well, some more practice with night diving couldn't hurt - the "night" adventure dive went from being "after sunset" to "dark sections of the lake using night diving protocols" to "I forgot to bring enough gear for everyone . . ." So, at the very least, it might be a good idea to do a true night dive with a veteran.

On a more constructive note, I've always wanted to try wreck diving - and I could use the practice with overhead environments. However, in my area, cavern diving is probably more practical, and I've heard that "wreck diver" is oversimplified . . . Does anyone have any thoughts on wreck vs. cavern?

But I appreciate all of the suggestions, and please feel free to add more - good advice is always welcome.