I disagree with Walter.
I'm a newly anointed OW and AOW scuba diver (PADI
). My brother (who's been diving for 2 years and recently got his advanced diver certification) was disgusted that I went right to advanced without real world diving experience. I, on the other hand, thought my advanced training was a very valuable experience, and would recommend any new diver to complete AOW right after OW. Here's are my reasons:
- I had the opportunity to learn skills in a safe environment (Dutch Springs, PA) that I will eventually apply to a potential unsafe environment (the ocean). What's the use of diving green in this unsafe environment without at least experiencing these skills beforehand? AOW gave me this opportunity.
- I was surrounded by skilled and experienced divers (again in an agreeable environment - land, sunny, no rocking boats, etc...). I spent time getting to know these divers asking them technical questions about the skills I was about to learn, as well as their gear and setups.
- I got used to the environments I would be diving, and the equipment (dive light, compass, dive computer, wreck reel, etc...) that I would be using in the ocean.
- I dove with familiar skilled people.
- When I made mistakes underwater during my skills I had time to discuss my mistakes with my instructor. Making these mistakes and learning from them before entering the ocean is the only way to go.
- I planned my dives, and subsequent dives logging the information in my logbook before/after each dive. This gave me the experience of using my dive tables, and writing entries into my logbook. I also discussed the entries with my instructor learning how to record accurate and complete logs.
The skills I completed were: Deep Dive (62 degree water @ 95 feet); Search and Recover (used a wreck reel. had difficulty rewinding the reel. had backlash, used the reel with 5mil gloves, my only regret is not working the wreck bag for a large heavy object recovery. I did get to witness my teacher performing the skill), Peak Buoyancy Control (three new kicks to for different environments); Underwater Navigation (learned to use compass navigation); Night Dive (AWESOME. TRULY AWESOME. Made me want to be a diver that much more. AWESOME!!!!!!).
I also experienced a diver that somehow got hurt during a dive. I had opportunity to see the potential danger in this sport. I went along with my teacher on another training session, and saw a diver freak out while penetrating a wreck. Again, a sobering event.
On top of the required 5 skills above my instructor is also planning a boat dive, and wreck dive 2 weekends from now. So I finally will meet the ocean. The beauty is that I will be diving with these familiar skilled divers. I'm sure I'll learn more
My instructor is also trying to get me a dry suit to try on, and provide dry suit training free of charge. This would be a total of 8 skills learned during my AOW class. Not bad.
I'm probably going right to Advanced Nitrox next (even before I dive the ocean on a regular basis). I believe in learning as much as I can before I take on the ocean. My brother's been diving regular air and wet suit for 2 years. He recommended I go with a dry suit, and nitrox as soon as possible. That'll be it for a while. Cave diving is next on my radar screen.
oharag
