Non Dead Horse certification question

[Scubagolf]

I am strictly a "warm water vacation diver" with 150+ dives, so consider the source.

I did my AOW after having 100 dives solely because some dive ops at certain locations require it for certain dives, and I did the TDI Nitrox course because it interested me and at age 58 I thought "geazer gas" might come in handy. I am glad I did both, for the reasons stated, and they have both been useful. I seriously doubt that I will do Rescue. A Wreck Diving class would interest me if it is at a great location on a good wreck.

 

[cflJason]

I was certified in 1991 and did my OW and AOW within a few months. I continued diving often, but didn't have any interest in getting any other certifications until my wife started diving in 2007, and I wanted to be the "best buddy I could be". So, for 16 years I was just AOW certified an happy with it.

 

[Slonda828]

I dove off and on for about 6 years before I got my OW card. I got AOW because some places/charters won't take you/admit you without an AOW card. AOW didn't teach me anything new, but YMMV. I got a nitrox speciality so I could get nitrox fills, that was a pretty good course. I'm a big advocate of the idea that unless somebody wants you to present a certain piece of plastic or be turned away that you don't need it. As Teamcasa and many others imply, a good mentor is worth a wallet full of C cards. Also, the NAUI master diver course is legit. I'm doing it now and it's pretty intense for a regular recreational course.

This is just my opinion, YMMV.