When you "graduated" from OW.. You received a C-Card that is the equivalent of graduating from kindergarten... You were taught the basics of diving safely.. That is all.. You were given the green light to go and learn more.. Either through diving on your own (be careful of the situations / conditions) or through continuing education.
Taking the advanced class does not make you an advanced diver.. It gives you more experiences into different "types" of diving to further your education. Again, this is the start of more types of diving.. Deep, Night, Navigation, etc...
These dives will be in the direct supervision of an instructor. What better way to introduce you to new conditions... Safely and supervised.
Every place I have traveled to (Cozumel, Hawaii, Florida, etc..) have asked for proof of training / experience. Those that did not have AOW were NOT allowed on the deeper dives.. If people are traveling to places that do not check these items, I would put those operations in the $$$ category.. They don't care about your qualifications, they will take you diving as long as you pay. I feel this is even worse than those "pushing" training... I welcome an operation that requires proof of training / experience, the same as I challenge them for professional safe service (boat has proper equipment, Oxygen, etc.)..
Personally, I think all divers should be trained through the resuce level... at minimum.
Taking the advanced class does not make you an advanced diver.. It gives you more experiences into different "types" of diving to further your education. Again, this is the start of more types of diving.. Deep, Night, Navigation, etc...
These dives will be in the direct supervision of an instructor. What better way to introduce you to new conditions... Safely and supervised.
Every place I have traveled to (Cozumel, Hawaii, Florida, etc..) have asked for proof of training / experience. Those that did not have AOW were NOT allowed on the deeper dives.. If people are traveling to places that do not check these items, I would put those operations in the $$$ category.. They don't care about your qualifications, they will take you diving as long as you pay. I feel this is even worse than those "pushing" training... I welcome an operation that requires proof of training / experience, the same as I challenge them for professional safe service (boat has proper equipment, Oxygen, etc.)..
Personally, I think all divers should be trained through the resuce level... at minimum.