Finally taking my Advanced Open Water!

[alan_lee]

Work's been super duper stressful for me, so I decided that I badly need a break and signed up for my AOW! Am super excited about it cos it's been almost 6 months since my last dive, and I reckon that the dive is gonna do me plenty good (darn, even as I'm typing this, am getting endless text messages, phone calls and people popping into my room ) to relieve the stress.

So, am wondering if the super experienced divers on this wonderful forum could offer any advice for my AOW. The 3 modules that I'm taking are night dive, deep water and navigation. Am kinda worried about navigation cos I really suck with that, so I'm someone who's thankful for GPS!

Cheerios!

 

[Gil57usa]

Too bad gps doesn't work under water. Just relax and pay attention, it's not that hard. After your class, take what you learned and keep practicing. You will improve with time. Good luck.

 

[spectrum]

alan_lee

How much diving did you do after OW?

If you did not do a lot I would get out there and dive a little. If nothing else make sure that your AOW will start with a skills review, most do.

What you don't want to do is jump back into diving as a rusty inexperienced diver by having a bunch of new challenges thrown at you.

As for your additional topics, search & recovery as another good one.

Nitrox may not count as a specialty but you can often get it thrown in for small money and it's nice to have.

Pete

 

[kilo_fox]

First of all, I apologise cos I'm not really one of those super experienced divers, ahem...
But then... what the heck! :mooner:

I did my AOW three months ago though I was a bit unsure if it was not a bit early (after 15 dives only). But - it was the best thing to do!

I chose the 'peek buoyancy performance' dive and since then I am MUCH more at ease regarding the buoyancy, I hardly need to use the BC anymore.

Regarding the navigation dive, it's real fun - the most important thing is to ignore the (pretty strong) feeling of your guts that will constantly try to send you into the desert, just follow the compass, count your kicks and and you'll arrive like this at the starting point.

Enjoy!!

 

[Coeur]

Howdy there!

I just finished my AOW this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I took Deep & Nav (required). As options I took PPB, S&R (fun!), and if I wasn't Quarry diving, I would've done wreck or night diving (Quarry wasn't open for night diving this wknd). But instead I did Photography. In any case, the PPB is great and the S&R looks like it would be pretty useful in the future.

If I were you, I'd choose what would be most beneficial to the type of diving you plan on doing. For example, if you're going to be tropical diving 99.9% of the time, dry suit probably wouldn't be one of the first ones you'd choose.

Hope this helps. And good luck!

 

[fisherdvm]

Practice with your compass on land. Get out to a big open field, sight a target, get the reading, set the compass heading, and look down at your compass and feet while pacing to the target. Hold the compass in both hands in the center of the body, whle anchor your elbows on your side.

Once you get to the target, find another, and get to that point. That is the essential of underwater navigation, except that you will pace your kick under the water.

I got a military surplus compass for $25 for land use. but they make civilian models that work fine for less than 1/2. Or you can use your underwater compass on land also.

The key thing is to keep the compass centered in front of you both on land and underwater. I prefer the two hand method.

To sight a target, hold your compass even. Get the degree reading of your target. Then rotate the bezel so that the marked end is over the north end of the compass. To swim under the water, you simply turn your body left or right to keep the notch on the bezel over the north end, and your heading directly in front of you.

 

[Texasdivechick]

I agree, Navigation is one of the most important skills to know. Practice on land first. But, here's a helpful trick. Get a buddy to help with this. While on land, choose a starting point and an ending point, like a picnic table or something about 100 ft. away. Set the bezel and head toward the target. Put a beach towel over your head so that you can't see landmarks and practice finding your way using ONLY the compass reading. Your buddy walks beside you so that you don't actually bump into stuff. At first go in a straight line only, there and back. Do this a few times before adding "stops" like the picnic table to the chair to the trashcan or something. You'll be forced to learn navigation quickly before doing it underwater.

 

[philmayer]

If you're taking the PADI OW course, you'll have to make 5 dives. Nav and Deep are required.

For the other dives, I would highly recommend night diving, UW photography (if you like photography), and Peak Performance Bouyancy.

I think all divers should take the PPB course. It will make you much more comfortable underwater.

Also, each of the dives can count as the first dive toward the specialty courses if you're interested in the PADI MSD.

 

[scoobadiva]

Just finished my AOW and I agree with those who suggested to practice above water first. I mean, I don't have sense of direction above the water let alone under it. Therefore, I practiced and practiced until I felt comfortable enough to go under water. Took a few times (God bless my patient instructor) but it finally clicked and I got it done. All that being said, you'll be fine... Good Luck!!!

 

[Hinalo]

Interesting reading, because this weekend I'm starting in on my AOW but because of work Saturday morning, I;ll miss the navigation dive and will have to pick it up down the line.

I'm also a new diver still with a temporary c-card, and hadn't thought to do AOW so soon, but I read the book on them and decided what could be better as a new diver than to go out to deepen your skill and experience levels with professional help and guidance.