Questions about AOW (timing)

[cindy0519]

DH and I are relatively new to diving, we were certified a year ago and have about 25 dives logged (done mostly in the Keys) and few in the quarries here in OH.

We have not yet taken AOW, though when we were in the Keys towards the end of our trip, the dive shop operator said we should have, since we had essentially completed all but the navigation part of AOW. We have done a couple of deep dives and a night dive with a guide who was a DM (dove the Eagle twice and did a night dive - both were awesome by the way- can't wait to do more!). Though we didn't do the AOW we certainly did become TONS more comfortable during these dives and now have much better bouyancy and air consumption as a result. The gained confidence and comfort more than makes up for not having completed the AOW (at least in my book).

My question is.. we have booked a liveaboard trip with Blackbeard's for Sept. They are not indicating that our not having AOW is a problem, in fact they have said that they aren't sure that an instructor will want to do the AOW on the trip (instructors do certs. on the side so it is up to them). DH doesn't want to spend the majority of the dives doing "skills" for the AOW - he says it ruins his enjoyment of the dive. Should we do AOW before we go, while on the trip, or just use the trip to gain more experience and do the AOW at a later point?

 

[DiveTyme]

You probably have more experience now than most AOW students. I would do it now.

 

[MikeFerrara]

What are you expecting to get out of an AOW class?

Since you've done deep dives and a night dive depending on the instructor you mey be very unimpressed with an AOW class.

Let me throw out another option for you. Assuming that you're dealing with PADI, the entry requirements for a rescue class is AOW or equivilant which is defined as... some certification beyon OW (take a nitrox class or something) and like 20 dives of experience including experience in deep diving and navigation. Have you navigated on your dives?

Talk it over with an instructor that you like to see what best fits your needs.

 

[DivemasterSteve]

one thing to think about is "some" dive boats wont let you go out with them, or wont let you make some of the dives if you dont have AOW. if the dive is deeper than 60' and all you have is OW then they can tell you that you have to sit out that dive. i'm not saying all will but they can. so in my opinion, you need to go ahead and get your AOW if possible.

steve

 

[H2Andy]

Let me throw out another option for you. Assuming that you're dealing with PADI, the entry requirements for a rescue class is AOW or equivilant which is defined as... some certification beyon OW (take a nitrox class or something) and like 20 dives of experience including experience in deep diving and navigation. Have you navigated on your dives?

i agree here 100%. there is nothing "advanced" about
an AOW class. The one thing i did find useful was
the compass work.

Rescue, on the other hand, is a very, very useful class,
and i would recommend it wholeheartedly.

if you do end up taking the AOW class, you will probably be
underwhelmed. another option is to combine the AOW class
with a Nitrox class. you can combine dives and it is cheaper to do both together through some shops.

and then, I would take the Rescue class at once.

another reason to get the AOW is that some dive boats
won't let you do some dives if you only have an OW.
yes, it's a crummy reason to take the AOW, but when you
are out diving the last thing you want is to get into an argument about the merits of "collecting" cards and the devaluation of certifications.

 

[cindy0519]

What are you expecting to get out of an AOW class?


Since you've done deep dives and a night dive depending on the instructor you mey be very unimpressed with an AOW class.

Let me throw out another option for you. Assuming that you're dealing with PADI, the entry requirements for a rescue class is AOW or equivilant which is defined as... some certification beyon OW (take a nitrox class or something) and like 20 dives of experience including experience in deep diving and navigation. Have you navigated on your dives?

Talk it over with an instructor that you like to see what best fits your needs.

We are not really expecting "to get anything out of the AOW" other than gaining more experience and learning better how to plan/manage a deeper dive (both are things I personally think are well worth the money for AOW - if these are actually achievable). We are PADI certified and would like to continue future certs with PADI. We do intend to take a nitrox class (thought we "should" do AOW first), so this might indeed be an option. We done very little navigation with a compass, as most of the navigation on the dives in the Keys was done using "natural navigation" and not a compass. And I will be the first to admit that I could use a bit more work on navigation with the compass.

I believe we would benefit from taking AOW, just want to make sure that 1) we are taking it at an appropriate time (so that we can experience a benefit from having taken it and 2) that we have the appropriate certification/experience to be able to fully participate in the dives that may be done on the on the liveaboard in Sept.

We are going to the local dive shop this weekend to discuss this with them. But frankly, I don't look forward to doing the AOW in the cold, dark quarry.. much rather have clear, warm water !

 

[MikeFerrara]

We are not really expecting "to get anything out of the AOW" other than gaining more experience and learning better how to plan/manage a deeper dive (both are things I personally think are well worth the money for AOW - if these are actually achievable).

If you've already done a couple deep dives you'll probably find the AOW deep dive pretty weak in content. Of course that depends on who's teaching it.

We are PADI certified and would like to continue future certs with PADI. We do intend to take a nitrox class (thought we "should" do AOW first), so this might indeed be an option. We done very little navigation with a compass, as most of the navigation on the dives in the Keys was done using "natural navigation" and not a compass. And I will be the first to admit that I could use a bit more work on navigation with the compass.

In case you're not aware of the option, it's possible to sign up for the AOW dives individually so you could get with an instructor and just do the navigation dive. Also you could go streight into a nitrox class but you can combine the nitrox class and the AOW or you can do your 2 nitrox dive and have one of them be a AOW deep dive and/or the AOW navigation dive. So you could do the 2 dive3 nitrox class and knock 2 of the AOW dives off in the same 2 dives. Just some ideas.

We are going to the local dive shop this weekend to discuss this with them. But frankly, I don't look forward to doing the AOW in the cold, dark quarry.. much rather have clear, warm water !

Most people don't take up diving so they can dive quarries but some aren't dark at all. We dive some quarries that have great vis much of the time. Some are loaded with cool fish and even have very scenic walls.

I like to find time in the spring to hit one of the quarries during the work day for a photo session. We watch the bluegills chasing the largemouth bass fry while the daddy bass chases the bluegills...and all the while the catfish are trying to sneak up and get into the bluegill nests.

If you have a northern pike, some big trout or a paddlefish around it can make things that much more interesting.

 

[cindy0519]

In case you're not aware of the option, it's possible to sign up for the AOW dives individually so you could get with an instructor and just do the navigation dive. Also you could go streight into a nitrox class but you can combine the nitrox class and the AOW or you can do your 2 nitrox dive and have one of them be a AOW deep dive and/or the AOW navigation dive. So you could do the 2 dive3 nitrox class and knock 2 of the AOW dives off in the same 2 dives. Just some ideas.

Thanks for the replies! I was not aware that we could do this. This makes it appear that we could actually structure the AOW to fit our needs (what a novel idea). I knew we could combine the nitrox and AOW, just didn't know we could make this even more flexible.

I don't really mind diving in the quarries (just not when vis is limited and it is sooo cold) and you are right even a snail eating blue gill or two make the dive much more interesting. I live in OH and if I want to dive frequently, since I am not able to travel extensively, this is where I will be diving the majority of the time. Actually we are hoping to be able to dive at Gilboa a few times prior to the Sept. trip. We met an instructor from Cincinnati while we were in Isalamorada in Oct last year and are just waiting for the water to be a bit warmer to set a date met at Gilboa.

I know that certain boats "require" the AOW card to be able to do deeper dives and agree with what has been posted about not wanting to debate the "collection of certification cards" merely for the purpose of being able to do certain dives. While I don't like the idea of taking a class "just to get a card" - I strongly believe (at least at this point in time) that on each dive I learn something new (or gain a bit more confidence/comfort) so no dive or class is totally worthless to me - if I can come way having learned one thing or with a tad more comfortable/confidence then I feel it was money well spent.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Gilboa's a blast to dive but be careful cuz I see some real shlocks teacing there. I don't know any of them by name but if I did I'd name em..

 

[SamDiver14]

I have a question. What would a diver who had been diving for years with hundreds of dives that have never taken AOW, do on a trip like Blackbeards?