PADI Adventure Diver versus Advanced Open Water Certification?

[Peter Guy]

Without looking this up in the Instructor Manual and without calling PADI (lazy, I know), I don't know if the AOW program dives have a time limit (like the 12 month OW referral limit). IF they do, then it would be reasonable for someone, with a limited about of time and/or money, to do the 3 Adventure dives and get the card. At a later time, clearly without a time limit, they could "upgrade" to AOW just like a Scuba Diver can "upgrade" to OW without the 12 month referral issue.

 

[boulderjohn]

For instance, a 10 year old isn't going to be able to do the Deep Dive, so they can't be AOW, but they could still be Adventure Diver.

This is the primary (and to my mind only) reason you would do it. A child cannot do the deep dive.

The old progression (OW-AOW-Rescue) was keeping young divers from learning rescue skills. By giving them the Adventure Diving certification, it allowed them to go on and learn those skills. New rules make it even easier.

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

I had a diver in an Arizona lake who wasn't comfortable doing the deep either. Past 35 feet it was too dark and cold for them. But they were getting AOW for a trip to Coz, so the dive operator in Coz signed off on the Deep Dive and she got her AOW.
Or if they have a weekend to do their dives, there's 5 dives scheduled, but their ears don't work for the last dive say DPV....Maybe they don't have time to go diving for a while, so sign off on the dives they have completed and give them something for their time and effort.

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

....side note, withholding basic rescue skills from children is silly. If the child is mature enough to dive, they are mature enough to learn the basics.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I like being able to introduce rescue skills in OW and not have to wait at all with kids (12-14). And if someone wants to do rescue all they need is an AOW card OR ten dives post OW cert. I in fact prefer whenever possible to have students do rescue before AOW since I require ten dives to any further training between courses.

Even jr divers have to do unconscious diver from depth, panicked diver at the surface, rescue tow while stripping gear, and supporting a diver at the surface for two minutes who needs to get positive in the Basic Open Water class.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

....side note, withholding basic rescue skills from children is silly. If the child is mature enough to dive, they are mature enough to learn the basics.

That's the NAUI instructor talking. Love it. We have the same beliefs. So cool to see a 12 yr old less than 100lbs bring her dad who is 6'2" and at the time 220 up from the bottom, ditch his weights, and have his BC off by the time she got him to pool edge. Even cooler to see her get control of him when he was simulating a panic.

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

it's what happens when you teach 'em well

 

[elan]

Without looking this up in the Instructor Manual and without calling PADI (lazy, I know), I don't know if the AOW program dives have a time limit (like the 12 month OW referral limit). IF they do, then it would be reasonable for someone, with a limited about of time and/or money, to do the 3 Adventure dives and get the card. At a later time, clearly without a time limit, they could "upgrade" to AOW just like a Scuba Diver can "upgrade" to OW without the 12 month referral issue.

We did our aOw after 2 years since completing ow

 

[Peter Guy]

elan -- I think you misunderstood the question I asked. This has nothing to do with time between OW and AOW but asking if there is a time limit between STARTING the AOW program, "Adventure Dive One" and completing it "Adventure Dive Five."

 

[elan]

elan -- I think you misunderstood the question I asked. This has nothing to do with time between OW and AOW but asking if there is a time limit between STARTING the AOW program, "Adventure Dive One" and completing it "Adventure Dive Five."

Oh ok, hm that I cannot answer...