New diver..should I take Peak Perf Buoyancy?

[divenut2001]

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

PADI = Put Another Dollar In..

 

[jbd]

PADI = Put Another Dollar In..

That is probably true to some extent, but from what I have seen it is not limited to PADI.

 

[fubari]

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

With the kind of brains humans have, learning happens best with small doses of information and much repetition.

After you've been diving for a year or two, it is easy to forget just how much new stuff there is to cover in the OW course.

I'm not an instructor, though I have volunteered at some pool sessions & checkout dives. I'm reminded of the volume of data to learn when we help new students connect their gear, set up weight belts, rethread tank straps on the bc and all sorts of little setup questions that you just don't think about after yo've been diving a while.

The in-water skills are like that, too. I think OW covers a bunch of stuff and the brain needs time to adjust to all of it. As for buyoancy control, I'm not sure I could have absorbed more than a fin pivot and a hover's worth of tricks.

I think I'd get more out of it after having done some dives - little things like being comfortable running the power inflator, what does it feel like when I'm inverted, what happens with my lung volume & buyoancy timing (there's a rhythm between breath-cycles and when buyoancy changes start to kick in), when should I equalize, gauge checks - all those little things start to become automatic and I have more attention to focus on new stuff.

And I agree - I think I'd get more out of it after investing in my own gear... unless I'm buying the same make as a rental set, in which case it could be a nice test drive (test dive)?

John G.

 

[Diver0001]

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!

PPB is one of those things best taken earlier rather than later. Like all specialties it's value depends on the quality of instruction you get so choose your instructor carefully. Anything you can do to get a head start in your skills development at this point is a good thing.

I also don't think that the discussion about whether or not PPB should ahve been part of OW is relevant to your choice. Your choice has to be based on the reality of current training methods, not the wish that it were different. The cynicism about PADI, while perhaps amusing, is also irrelevant.

R..

 

[kidspot]

As to AOW - I think the most common recommendation is to take it sooner rather than later - Plus it's good experience - hope you enjoyed it! As to PPB - if you have previous experience with the instructor, then you know if he will make the most of the class for you or not.