I couldn't see any point in taking an AOW class.
Instead, I took the individual specialty courses I wanted (all SDI):
Computer Nitrox
Advanced Buoyancy Control
Deep
Wreck
Dry Suit
Those were all completed before my 40th dive and I was issued an Advanced Scuba Diver card.
I did Rescue just after 40 dives. After my 50th dive, I was issued a Master Scuba Diver card.
Never had a reason to take an AOW (or the SDI equivalent, Advanced Adventure Diver) class. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to learn more about these different areas (like Wreck and Deep) than just what you get from one "adventure" dive in the subject area.
I've never been asked to show anything more than an OW card, and I have been out with several different dive operators whose website says something to the effect of "Advanced certification is required."
I started TDI Intro to Tech+Advanced Nitrox+Decompression Procedures at right around 50 dives. Finished it with my 82nd dive. Winter and instructor and student schedules really dragged that class out. Vacations to FL and Hawaii in the middle of it definitely upped my dive count between starting and finishing the class.
I started TDI Helitrox with 111 dives done and finished it with 4 dives and no messing around in between.
I'm finishing SDI Solo Diver next week with 120 dives.
Instead, I took the individual specialty courses I wanted (all SDI):
Computer Nitrox
Advanced Buoyancy Control
Deep
Wreck
Dry Suit
Those were all completed before my 40th dive and I was issued an Advanced Scuba Diver card.
I did Rescue just after 40 dives. After my 50th dive, I was issued a Master Scuba Diver card.
Never had a reason to take an AOW (or the SDI equivalent, Advanced Adventure Diver) class. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to learn more about these different areas (like Wreck and Deep) than just what you get from one "adventure" dive in the subject area.
I've never been asked to show anything more than an OW card, and I have been out with several different dive operators whose website says something to the effect of "Advanced certification is required."
I started TDI Intro to Tech+Advanced Nitrox+Decompression Procedures at right around 50 dives. Finished it with my 82nd dive. Winter and instructor and student schedules really dragged that class out. Vacations to FL and Hawaii in the middle of it definitely upped my dive count between starting and finishing the class.
I started TDI Helitrox with 111 dives done and finished it with 4 dives and no messing around in between.
I'm finishing SDI Solo Diver next week with 120 dives.