I am going for my AOW soon,what electives are the most useful?

[GulfDiver77]

I am going to take my AOW soon,and I am seeking advice as to which elective dives are useful. I eventually want to wreck dive and artifact hunt. I got my OW through SSI but I am taking PADI AOW. All suggestions welcome. I try to seek advice from people with experience when I start something.

 

[spectrum]

I am going to take my AOW soon,and I am seeking advice as to which elective dives are useful. I eventually want to wreck dive and artifact hunt. I got my OW through SSI but I am taking PADI AOW. All suggestions welcome. I try to seek advice from people with experience when I start something.

Deep, Navigation, Night, Search and Recovery, Buddy Rescue.
Some may or may not be offered and of course some of these will be required, usually deep and navigation are mandatory. If you can bag Nitrox for a few extra $$ that's cool.

If buoyancy is still a challenge after reading here on ScubaBoard then a dive focused on that is a good idea.

You can do wreck if you want, it's mainly surveying the exterior with out getting entangled at the AOW level, not about penetration.

Focus on skills, not hobbies like photography, fish ID etc.

Pete

 

[divemastercpas]

deep, night and navigation will be mandatory for padi aow.
wreck and either multi-level or computer dive would be nice.
listen to spectrum, take the nitrox course.

 

[GulfDiver77]

I am taking Nitrox with my AOW as a package deal.

 

[oly5050user]

A navigation dive( should include distance measuring methods using kick cycles/time/air consumed straight course and a square pattern swim)..
A "deep" dive anywhere from 60' to 100'(be aware of the buoyancy change differences,and air consumption difference is a biggie on this,narcosis to be watched for but not too likely).
These 2 dives are "core" dives and required..
Three(3) electives complete advance course..usually what is popular in your area.Here in NY I usually complete a search/recovery dive-wreck dive-night dive as these are popular here.. all done at a set cost....Depending what the instructor feels comfortable to teach and what costs that may be extra(such as a photo dive or dry suit dive, which would have to include some pool time) is what electives you may take..

 

[komi hunter]

deep, night and navigation will be mandatory for padi aow.
wreck and either multi-level or computer dive would be nice.
listen to spectrum, take the nitrox course.

Actually Night is not required by PADI anymore the only required are Deep and Nav. I recomend Peak buoyancy and then something you want to do a night dive is always popular as is Wreck

 

[Jim Lapenta]

The core deep and nav plus night, search and recovery, and wreck would be my choices.

 

[undefined]

You have to do Deep and Nav. No choice there.

I'd get Peak Performance Buoyancy (always good practice), Night (always fun), and Wreck. I'd trade out Night or Wreck for Nitrox, if available.

 

[adrisen]

What dives do have an interest in, then those are the ones you should do. It would just make sense to ou what ou like for them becasue you have the oppertunity to choose.

 

[Divedoggie]

All of the AOW dives are introductions to specialties. They give you basic understanding, and whet your whistle! Obviously take the required Deep and Navigation dives, and then take electives that will help you to become a more accomplished diver.
ie.
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Night
Search and Recovery

Then actually go take the full specialties which interest you the most!