More Dives or AOW??
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shoturtle
Contributor
If you do not feel to comfortable with the time between diving, you can always do a refresher at a local dive op in Maldives. Two dives, they take you to a local dive site, first dive refresh, second relax and enjoy. Then dive as much as you want in Maldives. Maldives is a vacation, enjoy it.
Over the last few years when reading threads about AOW, the most common comments that I see are that its a waste, its a "put another dollar in scheme", that its not an advanced class and it doesn't make a person and advanced diver.
The main response that I agree with is that it does not make a person an advanced diver. If it is done right, it does make a person a more experienced diver, and a more enlightened diver.
I took AOW back in the day for fun and experience. I didn't care about a "notch on the tank." My girlfriend insisted that one of the dives was fish identification. I reluctantly agreed.
Wow! It changed the way I dive forever. Who would have thought that such a "soft" subject would have been so influential? I slowed down and it piqued my interest in learning about the underwater environment.
When we got home, we bought the big Humann/Deloach Reef fish ID and Reef Creature ID books. We read the books cover to cover, quized each other on sea life, and before every dive that we do together now, we discuss our goal of what we want to see, as part of our dive plan. During SI's we check off what we saw, comment on it, date it and initial it.
Now, when I teach AOW, I make sure that the students have a great time as well as improve fundamentals and technique. In addition to requiring Deep and Nav dives, I require PPB. For the PPB, I have to make sure that the PADI standards are met, plus we work on streamlining, trim, skulling, frog kicks, controlled 30fpm ascents, 3 to 5 minute accurate safety stops, and some creative games. All of the dives are experiencial, but very thorough.
During SI's the comments are usually, "That was so cool!" "I never realized...." "Awesome!"
The students can select 2 additional dives from the Adventures in Diving book after thay have read the entire book and completed all knowledge reviews.
After the dives, we laugh a lot, go out to dinner, and over all make a great weekend of it.
If you feel that you "have to" take the AOW as your next step, then don't. Get more dives in. Find some experienced friends to buddy with.
If you "want to" take AOW, and you have a motivated instructor that you like, then do it.
The main response that I agree with is that it does not make a person an advanced diver. If it is done right, it does make a person a more experienced diver, and a more enlightened diver.
I took AOW back in the day for fun and experience. I didn't care about a "notch on the tank." My girlfriend insisted that one of the dives was fish identification. I reluctantly agreed.
Wow! It changed the way I dive forever. Who would have thought that such a "soft" subject would have been so influential? I slowed down and it piqued my interest in learning about the underwater environment.
When we got home, we bought the big Humann/Deloach Reef fish ID and Reef Creature ID books. We read the books cover to cover, quized each other on sea life, and before every dive that we do together now, we discuss our goal of what we want to see, as part of our dive plan. During SI's we check off what we saw, comment on it, date it and initial it.
Now, when I teach AOW, I make sure that the students have a great time as well as improve fundamentals and technique. In addition to requiring Deep and Nav dives, I require PPB. For the PPB, I have to make sure that the PADI standards are met, plus we work on streamlining, trim, skulling, frog kicks, controlled 30fpm ascents, 3 to 5 minute accurate safety stops, and some creative games. All of the dives are experiencial, but very thorough.
During SI's the comments are usually, "That was so cool!" "I never realized...." "Awesome!"
The students can select 2 additional dives from the Adventures in Diving book after thay have read the entire book and completed all knowledge reviews.
After the dives, we laugh a lot, go out to dinner, and over all make a great weekend of it.
If you feel that you "have to" take the AOW as your next step, then don't. Get more dives in. Find some experienced friends to buddy with.
If you "want to" take AOW, and you have a motivated instructor that you like, then do it.
I´d recommend you to get on yd (Yorkshire Divers - Dive Forums), or if you´re in a club, talk to some people, see if you can´t get someone experienced to take you on a dive at stoney or somewhere(don´t know where you are in the uk) a few times before your trip. I promise you that you´ll enjoy the maldives a lot more (AOW or not) if you do...
AOW requires having a very good instructor (sounds like Divedoggie is your best bet) who doesn't just take you on the five dives. Since there is no EXAM, it is fundamental to get that one on one time and dedication from your instructor.
If you find this instructor, AOW will give you more confidence in your diving and make you enjoy the dives more because you will be more in touch with what's going on around you and you will be more alert yet more relaxed at the same time.
If you find this instructor, AOW will give you more confidence in your diving and make you enjoy the dives more because you will be more in touch with what's going on around you and you will be more alert yet more relaxed at the same time.
all4scuba05
Contributor
You need skills, not a card that allows you to do deeper advanced dives. But hey, there are no scubapolice so do whatever you desire.
sounds like we're at a similar stage. I did OW last September, and have almost completed AOW. I just came back from a dive holiday in the Maldives, but we didn't do any of the AOW course over there.
Diving was fantastic and did include some medium currents, but nothing dramatic.
The AOW definitely wasn't a requirement for the diving we did, but you should at least get in a few extra dives before you go. We were on a liveaboard, and were split into 2 groups based on experience. We had a guide leading each group and a divemaster to close the group, so you'll have good support.
Doing 15 to 20 dives in a week in warm tropical waters is a great way to increase your skills and confidence. I'd recommend enjoying the holiday and doing AOW after you get back.
cheers
Fraser
Diving was fantastic and did include some medium currents, but nothing dramatic.
The AOW definitely wasn't a requirement for the diving we did, but you should at least get in a few extra dives before you go. We were on a liveaboard, and were split into 2 groups based on experience. We had a guide leading each group and a divemaster to close the group, so you'll have good support.
Doing 15 to 20 dives in a week in warm tropical waters is a great way to increase your skills and confidence. I'd recommend enjoying the holiday and doing AOW after you get back.
cheers
Fraser
Boxcar Overkill
Contributor
...and a good way to get said skills is to train with a reputable instructor, no? It seems to me that would be better than reinforcing bad habits.
Isn't if fair to say that OW+AOW is what a beginners certification should have looked like, if the public would have bought it?
My point of view is that AOW is simply 5 dives with adult supervision and some reinforcement of the lessons of your basic class. I say go ahead and take it. But then again I see training as fun, something to do on vacation, not as an interference with the fun.
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