'Maximum' dive depth based on certification

[caydiver]

We see all kinds. There are people who are naturally comfortable and may be new but have an awareness of the world around them. There are folks who have been diving a while and have bad habits but don’t realize it. Perhaps the hardest to work with as an op are the ones with maybe a dozen or so dives whether it is OW or Advanced and think they are masters of the universe and can give everyone including DMs tons of advice. To be fair I remember being very proud of my OWII card. It took a short number of dives later for me to start to realize just how little I knew and how much more was out there. I am very grateful for all those wonderful divers who had the patience to share their wealth of knowledge and their patience no matter what level their card put them at.

 

[Centrals]

I have no problem that the operator sets depth limit based on certification. It is its own business practice and if you do not like it, go somewhere else.
I was diving in Maldives many yrs ago and was told by the LoB operator that it was(is?) Gov policy to limit all dives to 30m. I was in no way to verify it with the authority and did not see any reason to upset the on-board dive manager.

It is a FREE world.

 

[AdivingBel]

I have no problem that the operator sets depth limit based on certification. It is its own business practice and if you do not like it, go somewhere else.

I don't think anyone has posted to the contrary. I think most all agree "your boat, your rules" as long as it's clearly stated upfront that this is their policy. I personally think it's a bad policy (for the reasons I've stated) and would hate for it to become a defacto industry standard. Until that's the case, I'll do exactly as you've stated. No ill will toward @caydiver or his operation. In fact I actually feel bad that he/his operation has been put in the situation where they feel the need to implement this policy especially in a locale that has such beautiful, stress free diving. In fact I'm on my way to the Caymans as I write. Safe diving .

 

[Tournesol2000]

New diver jumping into this thread.
I realized during my first deep dive to 60 feet that it’s a different world than the 30-40 foot shallow dives. I know there is a new learning curve especially when it comes to air consumption. I think it’s a good idea to have AOW class and certification as I feel I represent the average diver, but where I have issue is that I have to take other courses within AOW that I don’t care to do. I want to focus on the deeper dives and not photography. But I have to take these extra classes within AOW.

 

[scubadada]

New diver jumping into this thread.
I realized during my first deep dive to 60 feet that it’s a different world than the 30-40 foot shallow dives. I know there is a new learning curve especially when it comes to air consumption. I think it’s a good idea to have AOW class and certification as I feel I represent the average diver, but where I have issue is that I have to take other courses within AOW that I don’t care to do. I want to focus on the deeper dives and not photography. But I have to take these extra classes within AOW.

Only required dives are deep and navigation, perhaps you can find 3 others that you would enjoy and/or would be useful to you. I did PPB, wreck, and DPV. Depends on where you are and what is available to you.

 

[tursiops]

New diver jumping into this thread.
I realized during my first deep dive to 60 feet that it’s a different world than the 30-40 foot shallow dives. I know there is a new learning curve especially when it comes to air consumption. I think it’s a good idea to have AOW class and certification as I feel I represent the average diver, but where I have issue is that I have to take other courses within AOW that I don’t care to do. I want to focus on the deeper dives and not photography. But I have to take these extra classes within AOW.

It is probably best not to think of the five sampler dives as "courses." They are not...they are each a single dive with basic skills for that topic...just enough background that you can see if you like the topic and go on to complete the full course. Kind of like going to a smorgasbord and trying a bunch of things before you go back and fill your plate with the stuff that really appeals to you.

 

[Bob DBF]

I think it’s a good idea to have AOW class and certification as I feel I represent the average diver, but where I have issue is that I have to take other courses within AOW that I don’t care to do.

Well the course dosen't take long, AOW is a gateway class for other PADI classes, AOW is also being used more by dive op's to restrict divers depth, so I'd say just get it out of the way and move on to what intrests you more.

Note:
If you are SSI, their Advanced Adventurer is the equivalent to AOW, their Advanced Open Water is actually four full specialties, which technically do not fit the requirements of the AOW sampler, since there are only four specialties represented and navigation and deep are not required.

It's always a good idea, when going from one agency to another, to make sure you are comparing equilivent courses, names can be deceiving.



Bob

 

[Centrals]

New diver jumping into this thread.
I realized during my first deep dive to 60 feet that it’s a different world than the 30-40 foot shallow dives. I know there is a new learning curve especially when it comes to air consumption. I think it’s a good idea to have AOW class and certification as I feel I represent the average diver, but where I have issue is that I have to take other courses within AOW that I don’t care to do. I want to focus on the deeper dives and not photography. But I have to take these extra classes within AOW.

"Deep specialty" will take you deeper than 30m.

 

[Tournesol2000]

"Deep specialty" will take you deeper than 30m.

Thank.
I looked into that as it made sense to me, but it requires AOW.
For now I will do what everyone else does and that is focus on comfort levels as I go deeper. Then maybe take AOW. I think I will also need to find an instructor whom I can talk to who would focus on deep dives with me.

 

[luscioman]

I did 2 dives yesterday to 130 and 115. I was talking to an instructor and asked if she was teaching AOW. She said it was Padi Deep and AOW was only good to 100'. To goto 130' you Neff the deep specialty.