Experience or Qualifications first?

[Iruka]

Umm, Jim McCabe, if you're PADI, you might want to throw in Rescue Diver after AOW before you start the DM course! (since it's required, ha ha) Don't know for sure about other organizations, though. On the main question, though, I generally agree with you...if you're competent to the extent that you're not going to kill yourself diving without a guide/DM, further "self training/practice" is a good idea...it's hard to effectively teach someone the "finer points" of diving when they're struggling with buoyancy, don't know how to work their gear, etc. SOME people out of Open Water, however, are so....uhh..."challenged"....that they really need a guide/DM to watch over them doing ANY sort of dive. Good luck in your future courses!

 

[the_cat_keeper]

I did my advanced course immediately after my open-water diver course but it wasn't until 30 dives or so, that I really learnt how to manage my buoyancy control.

The OW/ Advanced course material wasn't difficult to understand but to really learn those skills, it takes time. And in particular if a person is uncomfortable under water, then getting some more experience before going on to Advance make sense.

It is a different story for DM;I think I still prefer my dives to be led by experienced DM...

 

[SmokingMirror]

the idea is not to rush but there is no harm in working your way up to rescue pretty fast.

I'm inclined to agree. I consider myself an extremely new diver (I qualified OW in April and AOW in August, both this year, and have a rather meagre 31 dives to my name), and, whilst I'm eager to expand my knowledge, I'm sensible and patient enough to know that knowledge has to be used repeatedly in order to improve and expand on the skills I've learnt.
I intend to take Rescue Diver next month, not necessarily because I'm in a hurry to rush up the ladder, but because of all the courses I've seen so far, RD strikes me as probably the single most important course a diver should take. After completing it, I'm intending to stop taking courses and concentrate on expanding my skills for a year or two. There's a lot I've learnt since April, but now there's a great deal I need to practice and experience before I feel I take the next step and can realistically consider myself a DiveMaster through experience, and not just because the card says so.

 

[DPJ]

Experience first, but that said I took certain courses when I felt ready. Shortly after OW, I took the equipment specialty with the LDS that sold me the gear. I wanted to fully understand how everything works. At about 20 dives, I went for the AOW. Primarily for the deep and night experience prior to a trip to Grand Cayman. At about 40 dives started the Rescue Course. I would highly recomend this course for anyone who dives. At around a 100 dives I completed Divemaster training at the encouragement of the LDS. I have assisted with a few classes, but want to dive more on my own before progressing further. I have ignored other specialties, due to a lack of interest.

 

[Allison Finch]

It may seem odd for an instructor to post a question like this but I'm interested in the opinions of new divers generally.

When you completed your entry level qual did you look at doing further courses straight away or did you want to get further experience before possibly doing courses at a later date?

My personal bias is that I think that people rush into courses too quickly sometimes and would be better getting more experience first.

When I first got certified, there was no such thing as a "specialty cource". There was no "advanced". There was just one cert that was so complete that you needed less further training. Too bad it's not that way now.....

 

[tracker]

I did several dives after my cert in 1981, but never took any advanced courses. From what I have learned from this board, I find that my training then was a little less technical. I have not been diving for quite a few years and will take OW course again this month as I would love to dive again on a regular basis. I think it depends on the individual. I went 140 ft. then on my second dive but I probably shouldn't have, but I am a very strong swimmer and have been in the water since my Uncle threw me in about six ft. of water at the beach when I was around 3. It was sink or swim and I took to it like a fish. Someone with lesser swimming skills should get more experience first. Personally, I plan on taking as many advanced courses as I am comfortable doing. When I get to the point that it gets difficult, then I will put a few dives behind me before going on to the next level.

 

[GDI]

Take some time enjoy your sport work on those skills. As your skills improve and they will improve better and quicker if you maintain a log book and make notes, then start taking some specialties towards your areas of interest.

 

[Curt Bowen]

If you would really like to increase your knowledge and skill level I would suggest not taking your AOW right off, but hang out with a group of divers who have been diving for many years. If you pay attention you will probably learn a lot more than AOW course will teach you.

 

[clockradio]

It may seem odd for an instructor to post a question like this but I'm interested in the opinions of new divers generally.

When you completed your entry level qual did you look at doing further courses straight away or did you want to get further experience before possibly doing courses at a later date?

My personal bias is that I think that people rush into courses too quickly sometimes and would be better getting more experience first.

after i was certified i took a lot of classes, and gained exp. that way. as far as teaching diving i think you should have a fair amount of exp before you should attempt to teach a certification class. i was in coz once where a diver was doing a lot of beach dives to run up his count so he could go for his dive master. i don't approve of that. just my thoughts.

 

[underwater daphne]

ye, that's true. dive =/ dive.
it's experience that counts not quantity.
personnally i think it's smart to make your way to rescue as soon as possible without rushing. i mean ppl shouldn't start putting valuable courses off, just because ppl keep telling them to take it slow. a reasonable rate is what you should be looking at. at least up til rescue. after that it wouldn't harm to take your time before going pro.