First off, I'd have most if not all of the dives be required, rather than the "subject tasting" structure of the existing (at least PADI) class.
Excellent idea!
Now, the required dives might vary with area, but the material of the five dives
Why 5 dives? One of the problems with the AOW courses is they require only 5 or 6 dives. Beef it up, require a minimum of 10. 15 or 20 would be even better.
Second, one of the required dives would be a skills dive, where the divers practiced such things as clearing a flooded mask, recovering a regulator, and sharing air WHILE DIVING.
Nope. Make mastering those skills a prerequisite.
Peak performance buoyancy would be a required dive, and the goal of it would be not only to get the diver properly weighted, but to get them into something approaching a stable horizontal position in the water.
Again, work on skills they should have learned in the OW class prior to the class actually starting.
Peter thinks the deep dive should be included, to give the divers an opportunity to experience narcosis under supervision. But it should include some basic information on gas management (eg. rock bottom and an introduction to SAC rates).
I would agree with Peter IF he hadn't said, "
the deep dive." An Advanced class should include multiple deep dives.
Both of us agree that a dive to practice navigational skills should be included.
Compass and natural navigation are essential.
Unless you do nothing but dive off boats with a guide, you are going to have to do some navigating.
Even then, it's a really good idea to know how to find your way home. Trust me dives are a really bad idea.
The last dive could be region-specific. For example, in the PNW, a dry suit dive might be a reasonable one to include. For places where most diving is done off boats, a boat dive (to include such things as the use of emergency signaling devices, and gas planning for a mandatory return to the upline) might be more useful.[/quote]
Once again, work on skills they should have learned in the OW class prior to the class actually starting.
8thElementDiver:
But overall I think the AOW class is exactly what a beginning diver needs because it gives them a sample of different types of dives under the direct supervision of an instructor.
Those who've taken the typical poor class do need the typical AOW, but they also need lots of skill that are not in the AOW class either. The typical OW and AOW fall far short of what people need to be reasonably safe underwater.
8thElementDiver:
AOW should be a sampler class.
Why? AOW should be an advanced class. If folks want a sampler class, offer a class called "specialty samples."
8thElementDiver:
And if they want to improve their skills even more, they should take a Rescue class.
Wrong tool. Rescue is designed to learn new skills.
shurite7:
When I went through my aow my instructors told the class 'advanced' was a misnomer. The purpose of the course was to enhance our o/w course which we had recently completed and to give us the opportunity to conduct additional dives with our instructor.
What a crock!
highlandfarmwv:
OW does not make you a competant diver
But it should.
dumpsterDiver:
no No NO!!!! People have to understand that the Open water class is an extremely efficient means to allow people to blow bubbles 60 ft down in optimal conditions. Most all divers that finish open water are just barely competant to do ANYTHING. But what can we expect from the ridiculously simple and abreviated course?
My feeling is that most new divers NEED to immediately be enrolled in a follow up class ASAP. This is a dangerous time for them in their training/diving career and they really should be supervised; either by an instructor or by friends that are very experienced and who are willing to help. My feeling is that the AOW is very effective at getting people just a little more experience and hopefully in a relativel safe environment.
I don't follow your logic. The OW course sucks, so instead of fixing it, let's have an AOW course that sucks, but kinda fixes some of the problems of the OW course. Why not fix the OW course instead?
JimLap:
I'm also awaiting my instructor materials to look into the YMCA silver and gold diver programs. They sound more like what and advanced class should be. Maybe Walter can furnish some details?
The Silver Advanced course is a true advanced course, unlike AOW (which sucks in the Y program just as badly as it sucks in other programs). It's far from ideal, but it's an excellent course. I never taught an AOW class. All of my advanced students took my Silver Advanced class to which I added requirements I believed necessary. The biggest difference between Silver Advanced and AOW is Silver Advanced has twice as many dives and real academics, twice as many required dives and actual skills (an example of a required skill in the Silver advanced class is to make an entry without wearing your mask, descend, put your mask on and clear it - there are others). The weakness of Silver Advanced is it is also designed around a few (4 - night or limited viz, navigation, search & recovery and deep) required dives and elective (6) dives. I eliminated the electives and made all the dives required when I taught the class, making both night and low viz required as well as adding wreck and additional deep dives. I required fresh and salt water dives as well as both beach and boat dives. I also required all my students to make float dives.
The Gold Master Diver course requires a Silver Advanced certification, and includes 10 additional dives in various areas (no electives from a list) with lots of skills you aren't likely to encounter in other classes.
hammerhead45:
I offer a comprehinsive AOW worth the money Home no complaints so far
What does it include that makes it "comprehinsive"?
Anthony Turner:
Maybe I shouldn't say this BUT the one thing that I have noticed is that during OW & AOW is that there isn't any RESCUE taught of any real significance until after AOW.
Look outside the box. PADI isn't the only game. NAUI and YMCA both include rescue skills in the entry level class.
jbmooney:
it finished the intro job that was left undone by my OW class, and gave me a few more dives under some supervision
I'd be surprised if it did. Most of what is left out of a typical OW class is
never taught in future classes.
gcbryan:
I don't know that it could be taught to a new diver very effectively. You
It can. To do it, you have to change your mindset for teaching the OW class and to a better job from the start. It's actually easier for both the student and instructor, but does take more time.
pir8:
Only real Rescue skills taught in OpenH2O are the Tired Diver Tows.
Read YMCA's standards. Read NAUI's standards. You'll learn differently.
raymond phule:
AOW is mandatory for rescue.
Lots of folks are stuck inside that PADI box. Step outside and breathe.
Buoyant1:
True...but some ops won't take you on certain dives unless you have a card that says ou are qualified.
The AOW card doesn't qualify you for anything and it does say you are qualified to do more than dive, the same as your OW card.