How Long for AOW

[twinpop]

Hello All,

I just wanted to throw this out to the experts. I just got certified and my lds wants me to sign up for AOW. Yes or No - I know eventually I am going to do it - I just don't know if I should get some more dives in me first. Please Help!!!

Kevin :06:

 

[BrianS]

Totally up to you. I did 2 dives after OW before doing my AOW and I was real comfortable with doing the AOW that quick after. But there is nothing wrong with doing a few more dives if you don't feel like doing it right away. The LDS is probably trying to get you into it so you stay active.

 

[dbruce]

Hello All,

I just wanted to throw this out to the experts. I just got certified and my lds wants me to sign up for AOW. Yes or No - I know eventually I am going to do it - I just don't know if I should get some more dives in me first. Please Help!!!

Kevin :06:

I went throught the same thing. I did about 15+ dive with my OW cert then I did the AOW cert. I think that you should get a few dives in so that you can get used to using the equipment as well as get everything going on. Some LDS's will push until they get your money.

Damon

 

[Firebrand]

I think it all depends on your comfort level in the water, and the conditions in which you'll be diving. I did one dive before moving on to AOW, but with that being said, I grew up free diving and am very comfortable in the water. I already knew how to clear my mask underwater, and I was even a lifeguard in college. I was ready to take my AOW, but for some of the people in my OW class, I would have highly recommended they wait and get some more dives logged.

If you have to ask if you think you need more dives, you probably do. Get more comfortable in the water. Plus, for AOW, usually gear isn't provided, so you either end up renting, or buy from the LDS. This could be a push for you to dump money into their shop. Ask the instructor as to WHY he/she thinks you should take the AOW class. If they give you a reason like, "It will make you a better diver," go and get some more logged dives. Get your buoyancy skills perfected, and be able to clear your mask with one hand. The more challenging a dive is, the more difficult it will be to overcome small obstacles. Things like mask clearing and buoyancy control should be second nature before you take AOW.

 

[TSandM]

I think a lot of it depends on how comfortable you feel in the water after your OW class. Frankly, after mine, my comfort level was pretty low. I knew there was no way I could monitor everything I was supposed to and navigate in poor visibility safely. I went straight into AOW in order to do more dives with an instructor, so I could get to where the actual mechanics of being in the water were more automatic, freeing up more processing power for monitoring my depth, air, and location. It worked very well for me, because after five more dives, I was in much better shape to be more responsible for myself underwater.

 

[00scuba]

I waited until i had 150+ dives, but I was diving frequently with an experienced buddy. I am now completing Dive Master, and I had to have AOW, which seemed a bit silly with so many dives completed already. I say, get the experience with the instructor, its a great way to continue in the educational aspect of diving, and if you progress to Rescue, etc.....it will be something you have completed already.

I feel I would have been able to appreciate AOW if I would have done it earlier...IMO

 

[crpntr133]

IMHO, If you aren't comfortable in the water then wait and take AOW later. I have done 30+ dives and am taking AOW. Personally I wouldn't have wanted to do AOW right after OW, I just wasn't ready. Now that I have most of my own gear it will also make it easier to do AOW.

Most LDS's will push you into the AOW right after. They have you there and you are pumped about being certified. Just good business practice, unless YOU aren't ready.

 

[rje634]

Like everyone else said, your comfort in the water is one of the gating factors.
I has 40 ocean dives before I did AOW, now that isn't a lot of dives but it was enough to give me more dives than anyone else in the AOW class (there was about 15 split into 2 groups). Everyone in the class was taking it to increase their comfort in the water. And to get the AOW card. And while you will learn thing that you didn't know about some of the specialties, if you wait too long the benefit of the class (which is to expose you to different types of diving) starts to wane.

 

[Cap335]

I went throught the same thing. I did about 15+ dive with my OW cert then I did the AOW cert. I think that you should get a few dives in so that you can get used to using the equipment as well as get everything going on. Some LDS's will push until they get your money.

Damon

Your LDS is trying to get more than your money they are also trying to help you
polish your skills. Most divers can benifit from doing more divews with an instructor
working on bouyancy & navigation + the other dives your store offers help make you
a more comforatable in the water. With PADI its also required for rescue which I think
everybody should take as soon as they can.

Randy

 

[Squalus]

IMHO, get more dives under your belt. Gain knowledge through diving and a competant buddy who is trustworthy and knowledgable. Become one with your equipment and know it. Don't go further till you are ready for it, listen to your innerself and not others just because they are doing it. Take your time, it will come in due time.