DIR- Generic Drinking the DIR koolaid

[Lorenzoid]

I don't think Rec 2 and AOW is an apples to apples comparison to even warrant the cheaper/"inferior" debate. They serve completely different purposes. Going the Rec 2 route just to get 100' on one of your C-cards seems like the wrong reason to do it, IMO.
. . .
Honestly, I can't think of a use case for Rec 2 - I'd love to hear about someone's experience with it and why they decided to do it. On that same note, a lot of GUE folks don't see the need for Rec 3 but I did for my needs and current goals/dives, so I'm sure there's someone out there who found Rec 2 similarly useful.

My understanding is that, if any comparison can be made, Rec 2 would be like GUE's version of other agencies' Rescue courses, and Rec 3 would be like GUE's version of their Deep Diver course. Rec 2 doesn't seem to attract a lot of interest. I can't recall anyone on SB mentioning they had taken Rec 2. You're one of the few to report on taking Rec 3.

 

[rjack321]

I think my AOW class was a total joke and a waste of time. However, I've gotten more mileage out of that silly AOW card itself than all my Tech and Cave cards combined.

My AOW was a joke too. But its one of those things that you just need as a base to get into places/boats.

 

[PfcAJ]

Rec 3 is the worst.

 

[PullYourselfTogetherMan]

Called my LDS regarding their AOW course. It'd be done over a weekend depending on where we went for it and it'd cost $300 (insane). They said I could do it locally, if I chose, I guess by diving Clarks Hill Lake to depth. I would choose the local dive to save money because it seems like the AOW is pretty worthless training.

I still think that I should do GUE F1 first before PADI AOW given my need for better skills. I'm new and I admit I need good training.

@elgoog My goals are really just to eventually become as expert a diver as I can be, able to do what needs to be done in a situation that goes awry. I want to dive to wrecks, I want to dive deep ocean. I want to do all of this using a BP/W and using the techniques GUE teaches for what I think are pretty understandable reasons.

@PfcAJ What about rec3 was so bad?

 

[Lorenzoid]

. . .

I still think that I should do GUE F1 first before PADI AOW given my need for better skills. I'm new and I admit I need good training.

No, you're doing it in the better order, in my opinion. You'll be unencumbered by GUE baggage and be able to enjoy AOW more and maybe even feel you learned something.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Called my LDS regarding their AOW course. It'd be done over a weekend depending on where we went for it and it'd cost $300 (insane). They said I could do it locally, if I chose, I guess by diving Clarks Hill Lake to depth. I would choose the local dive to save money because it seems like the AOW is pretty worthless training.

I still think that I should do GUE F1 first before PADI AOW given my need for better skills. I'm new and I admit I need good training.

@elgoog My goals are really just to eventually become as expert a diver as I can be, able to do what needs to be done in a situation that goes awry. I want to dive to wrecks, I want to dive deep ocean. I want to do all of this using a BP/W and using the techniques GUE teaches for what I think are pretty understandable reasons.

@PfcAJ What about rec3 was so bad?

Have you thought about RAID? Their equivalent course is the Explorer 30 (meters fortunately): Learn to scuba dive | Get your scuba certification | Scuba diving lessons | Online scuba training | Learn to dive rebreathers | Scuba diving schools | Scuba vacations | Underwater photography | Diver training program

I don't know if people will find troubles with that cert being accepted, as much of the vacation dive world lives in the PADI bubble.

Just trying to find ways where you can earn a certification, instead of buy it that will meet your needs. If the course is just done in a weekend, then you've purchased it. The proper question to how long is a course is "it depends" and a range of time based upon past students should be given. Just my 2 psi.

 

[rjack321]

@PfcAJ What about rec3 was so bad?

If you want to do trimix dives then take Tech1 and have a reasonably well rounded entry level trimix knowledge and cert. - although Tech1 is a bit lacking on knowledge for long shallow dives with 100% O2 deco time. Nevertheless, it prepares you well to do reasonable ~15 to 30 min BT dives up to about 160ft with 1 deco gas.
Rec3 quite simply does not. Using 21/35 but for essentially "min deco" dives is a waste (of time, money, and effort for short BTs) and 32% as a "deco gas" is a terrible choice. Its all the tech diver toys, bells and whistles minus the experience or breadth of knowledge to use them.

 

[rjack321]

Have you thought about RAID? Their equivalent course is the Explorer 30 (meters fortunately): Learn to scuba dive | Get your scuba certification | Scuba diving lessons | Online scuba training | Learn to dive rebreathers | Scuba diving schools | Scuba vacations | Underwater photography | Diver training program

I don't know if people will find troubles with that cert being accepted, as much of the vacation dive world lives in the PADI bubble.

Just trying to find ways where you can earn a certification, instead of buy it that will meet your needs. If the course is just done in a weekend, then you've purchased it. The proper question to how long is a course is "it depends" and a range of time based upon past students should be given. Just my 2 psi.

Why are you even suggesting agencies? RAID has awful instructors too. There is nothing inherently wrong with PADI AOW, given enough time and effort by the instructors and students (more than a weekend but also more than $300)

 

[Lorenzoid]

Some people seem to take Rec 3 as a baby step towards Tec 1.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

No, you're doing it in the better order, in my opinion. You'll be unencumbered by GUE baggage and be able to enjoy AOW more and maybe even feel you learned something.

I agree. For a newly certified diver, AOW can be quite useful especially if you have a decent instructor. AOW can have a variety of specialties, so make sure your AOW will include the Deep and Buoyancy modules, as these will be most useful if you go into Fundies. Even with my background, I did not find AOW a "waste" as it was a good refresher on some skills I had not used in a while (navigation). The instructor was pretty decent and that helped.

Yes, the price is crazy (mine was $300.00 also but included the dives). Also, do Nitrox, even before you do Fundies. For some reason (money I suspect) Nitrox is not offered as an AOW module but you really do want it.

By the way, don't drink the cool-aid too much. You can execute all the fancy kicks, hold perfect buoyancy and trim, share gas, and do everything GUE will teach you for recreational diving, in any gear set. I own and mostly dive a hogarthian rig because I like it, but I am a gear agnostic. I have dived a variety of gear, from poodle jackets with octo-pockets, console computer/gauge/compass, Air2s and similar elaborate trappings, to basic groaty rental gear, to my beloved BP/W setup, and my newest thing, a double hose with a BP/W and "normal" octo with AI computer. Sometimes I even rent gear. Why? Because I feel I can walk into pretty much any shop in the world, put on whatever gear they can give/rent me, and execute a safe and enjoyable dive with just a few minutes of familiarizing and no obsessing over the gear. That is the bottom line, after all.