New diver..should I take Peak Perf Buoyancy?

[Skinsfan1311]

Good Morning!
I'm a new PADI-certified diver...(10-logged dives)...I took advantage of the great conditions, on a recent trip to St. Lucia, and got my AOW.(please..no lectures on taking the AOW so soon after being certified..I took the class, based on the recommendation of my OW instructor and I've read the threads on the subject ad-nauseaum ) I love to dive, and have a few dives set-up, this summer, on an upcoming cruise, (Cayman, Cozumel & Belize). I'm very comfortable,(though not overconfident...I dive within my limits/training), underwater. I get more confident, on each dive, and felt really good about my air-consumption, etc. With that in mind, do you think it's a good idea to take Peak Performance Buoyancy so soon, or, should I just go ahead and do the dives and work some more on my skills, before taking another class. I'd sincerely appreciate the comments and opinions from the experienced divers on the board. Thanks!

 

[slipslop]

I am doing the PPB course this weekend. I am also fairly new and dont feel ready to do my advanced course yet. it wont hurt to do it and hey 2 dives on Aliwal shoal wont hurt me either so im doing it!

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

There’s never a better time to start! Like most divers I spent my first 20-30 dives getting the hang of proper buoyancy - getting the weight correct and using breathing instead of my BC to control position: the sooner you learn proper buoyancy skills the sooner you will have cleared the major hurdle to becoming a better diver. All other skills (good air consumption, correct trim) will follow.

I don't think you would have anything to loose by doing this course.

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[Tanked Monkey]

Depends. How's your bouyancy so far? If you can already hover horizontally with only minor ups and downs, then I think you just need to get out there and dive and practice. If you are having a bit of trouble with bouyancy or can't hold a safety stop without an upline, then the class will help you quite a bit.

Short answer: if your bouyancy is in question in any way, than definitely take the class. If not, then just get out there and dive!

Mike

 

[The Kraken]

Perfecting one's buoyancy is, in my opinion, a requisite in good diving.

I'd like to point out, however, that it will be difficult to attain such a goal if one is changing one's rig frequently.

Different B/C, exposure suit, fin and accessory combinations will vary significantly in their respective buoyancy characteristics.

Your goal will be much easier to reach if you are diving your own gear, or, at the least, relatively the same setup each dive.

 

[lorien]

I really learned a lot when I took this class, I dopped some weight from my belt and really learned a lot aobut weight distribution for my needs and even more about using my breath to help control my buoyancy as well. It made a big difference in my diving right away. Of course, as always, you can only get out of a course what your instructor puts into it. Go for it, you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain

 

[Skinsfan1311]

Thanks for the great replies, everyone!

 

[Kriterian]

Good Morning!
I'm a new PADI-certified diver...(10-logged dives)...I took advantage of the great conditions, on a recent trip to St. Lucia, and got my AOW.(please..no lectures on taking the AOW so soon after being certified..I took the class, based on the recommendation of my OW instructor and I've read the threads on the subject ad-nauseaum

Don't worry about the flames, just ignore them. There is nothing wrong with taking AOW immediately, or any other specialty. If a mentor isn't readily available to you, then you get supervised dives with an instructor by taking courses. I say good for you!

 

[Azza]

If you own your own gear, take the course. As The Kraken mentioned, if you are changing rigs all the time it kinda sucks. All gear has different characteristics.

I just took two students through the PPB Adventure Dive as part of their AOW course, and they both said it was the best dive of their life. Not because the site was good (6 metres, sand and 3 foot viz) but because they learnt a lot, and learnt skills that will stay with them for the rest of their diving lives.

Do it my friend

 

[jbd]

I just wonder why this can't be taught during the OW course :06: