Cannot find a reason for AOW certification

[wildbill9]

My wife and I are avid divers, we have been dive buddies for 30 years. I am AOW but she is just OW. We have talked about getting her AOW but just can't seem to see any reason to spend the money or time. She has 500 plus dives, excellent buoyancy, doesn't get lost when we dive in Bonaire , constantly dives to 80- 100 feet and follows all safe diving practices. We don't feel.any need to get further badges just to say we have them. We think that experience is much better than any badge we may have. Only once did her cert level, or lack of, be questioned (Florida key when we wanted to dive Speigal) but once the master watched us it was not a problem. How many of you did not pursue advanced certifications? Bill ( i have AOW but was 20 years young when i got it....i am now 58)

 

[AZNetEng]

Id pursue only for the reason you cited. Like you though, Ive not seen anyone get grump about an OW diver below their certification depth.

 

[azstinger11]

I'd argue the reason is artificial limit placed by dive charters. I have witnessed people be denied certain dive sites based solely off their certification card. They were never denied diving but they were escort by a DM to a different part of the dive site that certification (and not necessarily) would be valid on.

I know you said you haven't encountered it, and thats valid. I have, which is also valid. It's more of a is it worth the fight thing to me. I'd rather not worry about it, and just pay the cost to get the stupid piece of plastic that doesn't really show anything but makes everyone happy, then have to fight/contest it with the dive operators that are picky about it.

 

[scubadada]

Most ops accept recent "deep" dives in lieu of AOW, didn't that work?

 

[Centrals]

Have you learnt anything useful from the course yourself?
Skill? AOW offers nothing more.
Knowledge? She might have read and experienced more than provided by the course.
If your wife has no inclination to learn then don't. However, make sure you contact the operator well ahead and asked the appropriate question before turning up at their door step. However, I believe most of them especially LOB will list the diving experience/certification required clearly.

 

[azstinger11]

Most ops accept recent "deep" dives in lieu of AOW, didn't that work?

Not at the dive op I was at. It was also a language issue. The dive op spoke english and french, they spoke really broken english and Chinese. From what I overheard, they had proof of recent dives well past an OW cert (more like deep AOW cert depths) but charter refused without a valid c-card.

I'm not saying the dive op was in the right, but it was their policy for better or worse. So it does happen I guess is all I'm trying to convey. If you look ahead of time and discover that, then you could take your business elsewhere but would suck to find out day of.

 

[northernone]

If your wife isn't being blocked from certain sites and no one is harassing unduely I see no reason. I'm an instructor and my mother (diver since the 70s) has no interest in her AOW either. Card collecting or learning in an official certification program isn't for everyone.

Enjoy your diving, sounds like you gave a lovely buddy.
Cameron

 

[lermontov]

main reason id do it is to give me more options of dive sites and stay within training for insurance cover on holidays

 

[Caveeagle]

I wonder if another option might be possible... are there any instructors who will allow experience and live logs to satisfy pre-req for something like rescue diver? At least then you might gain some new training of benefit, and I doubt anyone requiring AOW would deny you access with some other advanced rating.

 

[Streydog]

I have been debating the whole should I get my AOW thing as well. Only been diving 3 years. I have around 140 dives, probably 80 at 80'+, 8 night dives, etc. I haven't been turned down on a dive yet but in Roatan it seemed until I proved myself I was restricted to the kiddie pool. I had only dove in clear salt water until the other day I stopped by a local scuba park and I did a couple short shallow dives in low visibility. Now I am thinking about getting my AOW locally. My reasoning is; even though the deep dive would be around 60', I would have an instructor with me in a new environment (low viz). If I can't see any land marks, I couldn't cheat on the navigation dive like I did during OW. Not sure what other dives I would do in the class but can always benefit from instruction. Plus it would be a way to get some diving in before my next trip.