Question about AOW

[MoxisPilot]

Well, I've logged my 10th dive here in Hawaii, and I've also completed my AOW course - but it sort of happened by accident.

We were supposed to go to a reef in Hawaii Kai to do a wreck dive and a Peak-Performance Buoyancy dive, but the boat we were on decided it was too crowded for the latter, and took us to Spitting Caves for a drift dive, instead, when we finished the wreck. Since it still qualifies as an AOW dive, we logged that as our fifth course dive. (We're leaving Hawaii on Friday, so we didn't have time for a reschedule for the PPB dive). Don't get me wrong - it was totally the best dive I've done so far - lots of photos and video footage of the white-tip sharks and sea turtles. Very fun. Some of them are posted on my MySpace album - MySpace.com - www.myspace.com/249663273 if anyone wants to see.

My question is this: I still want to do the PPB dive, since my buoyancy control is pretty pathetic. Will an instructer provide that dive course, even though I'm already AOW certified? I feel silly for asking, but...well, ask and learn, right?

And what's my next eventual step? Rescue Diver Course? (I probably won't do it right away - I want to get in some fun dives, get a better hang of it and all. It doesn't hurt to be informed, though...!)

Anyway, thanks guys!

 

[texdiveguy]

Sounds like you are having a great time in Hawaii!!

I might suggest once back on the mainland you look into taking a PPB Specialty class....I think with the right instructor you will benefit from the investment of time and $. Your bouyancy will improve the more you dive naturally of course....but the class might help shorten the learning curve. Best wishes!!

 

[MoxisPilot]

So PPB specialty courses are offered! Awesome! I'm definitely going to look in to that when I get home! Thanks, Tex!

 

[texdiveguy]

...............

Peak Performance Buoyancy

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Definitely get more dives and get in the pool to learn your buoyancy control. Once you start to task load, like working with a light, compass, camera, etc., it will greatly help you do better when you don't have to fight your BC and trim. Being calm in the water allows you to do so much more and you don't scare as many fish away!

Good luck! Happy diving!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[TSandM]

Well, I highly recommend eventually taking the Rescue class, because I think everybody who dives should do it. But take some time and do some diving first. The PPB class is a lovely idea, and if taught with sincerity, could be fabulous. Mine wasn't. Ask some questions about trim before you sign up -- if the instructor doesn't recognize the term, go elsewhere.

 

[Scubastud16]

....TAKE NITROX!

That's the next step (before rescue), if you ask my opinion.

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Ask some questions about trim before you sign up -- if the instructor doesn't recognize the term, go elsewhere.

LoL SOOO true....

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

The PPB class is a lovely idea, and if taught with sincerity, could be fabulous. Mine wasn't. Ask some questions about trim before you sign up -- if the instructor doesn't recognize the term, go elsewhere.

Somehow my family started me diving very young, without agency. Finally certified with my Kauai free dive buddies in '92. Florida Keys instructor factory '00. Started occasionally using the term trim in '05, after reading it numerous times on SB. It did not change the body position I still teach, just sometimes the vocabulary.

Terminology and definitions are not universal, concepts and techniques vary in many details geographically. When you are in need of buoyancy training you are hardly a good judge of who might be a good instructor. Ask around in the area you are seeking training, look for someone with multiple recomendations, do not jump to conclusions.

IMHO, a well taught PPB specialty will improve your diving; the individual term trim is not neccessarily required.

 

[BarryNL]

Well, I highly recommend eventually taking the Rescue class, because I think everybody who dives should do it.

Yeah, I'd second this but definitely get your buoyancy skills up to par first. After all, you can't expect to bring another diver up safely from the bottom if you're still struggling with your own buoyancy.

About 50 dives should do it...