Is AOW allowable in Doubles?

[jim T.]

I was told by one shop that P.A.D.I. forbids the instructor (not sure about students) from teaching in doubles for AOW classes. Does anyone know if that's a common rule for most agencies or if it's a shop by shop, instructor by instructor issue?

I'd like to pursue some tech coursework eventually and as I'm already diving doubles would like to take AOW in them and get some tips at the same time regarding valve drills, etc. if at all possible.

I'm interested in S.S.I. ,N.A.U.I. and other "standard" agencies besides GUE/DIR (at least for the present) as I want an AOW card for some boat operators back east.

I've purused the above agencies' website requirements online but didn't see anything that addressed the training in doubles issue.

I thought that perhaps a freelance instructor might be the answer as opposed to shop classes if necessary...

Thanks.

 

[Txfirefighter4305]

Interesting, will be following this.

 

[RJP]

I was told by one shop that P.A.D.I. forbids the instructor (not sure about students) from teaching in doubles for AOW classes. Does anyone know if that's a common rule for most agencies or if it's a shop by shop, instructor by instructor issue?

This is NOT true for PADI.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

If you pursue tech coursework, you'll probably end up with another agency.

And many places don't have a PADI/NAUI/SSI "AOW" requirement for their basic classes. I'm planning on taking NACD cavern and intro to cave, and I don't need anything other than my current OW c card to do it.

 

[Rainer]

I've taken PADI classes in doubles. My Rescue intructor also used doubles (for a few drills, most were in singles).

 

[ScubaTexan]

That's a new one on me.

 

[ianr33]

If you are already diving doubles why bother with AOW? Why not just do something useful such as Advanced Nitrox? AOW is not a requirement for that.

 

[shoredivr]

Well, there are dive operations locally that won't let you on "advanced" dives without AOW, for what it's worth....sucks if you want to dive a wreck deeper than 60 ft

 

[jim T.]

Wow, this IS interesting. This does sound like a shop by shop decision then. I was told by 2 shops locally that PADI wouldn't allow it...
I did try to take Advanced Nitrox/Deco with my TDI instructor who taught me Basic Nitrox but he said I'd need to complete AOW Cert. lst.

Maybe THAT'S a shop by shop/instructor decision also?

 

[Narcist21]

There is nothing in the PADI instructor manual equpment requirements under open water training standards that forbids the use of double tanks.

Only says: b. compressed gas cylinder and valve

FWIW, dive shop probably doesn't have an instructor that is comfortable teaching in doubles or just doesn't want to hassle with it.​