If I were making the rules to obtain an AOW cert, the first prerequisite would be to complete at least 50 ocean dives which would include 10% of dives over 100 feet, at least 20 CESA'a from various depths, 10 air-share ascents from various depths, 10 night dives and a decent navigational, solo dive and rescue course. Then the AOW might mean something to the diver rather thatn a cash cow for the certifying agencies and the LDS's. Gas planning might be another good one. Buoyancy should come about with experience so I don't see a need for that. This crap about fish identification, photography, etc. is so much fluff.
I'm with you!!! I wanted to get some experience in as a novice diver before I went for my AOW (silly me.....being a teacher, I thought learning was the objective). In the meantime, I got my specialties in Nitrox, Cavern, and Wreck. I have 6 logged dives in over 100' water, and 17 of my total of 47 dives so far in 80-100' (many of these with the dive center I'm going to get my AOW from!!!!).
There is a particular dive I want to do within the next few weeks, but they require a minimum of AOW and Nitrox certification. When I inquired about it, they said PADI doesn't recognize my TID certs for Nitrox and Cavern, (I got Wreck in PADI), and would have to do my 5 "Adventure dives" before being able to dive this particular dive to get my AOW. I admit I really need (and want) navigation and would pay dearly to learn this skill, but the hoops for the other stuff I disagree with. I guess because I'm a teacher and approach each of my students as individuals and assess their individual needs to teach to their level of competency (or lack thereof) I expect the same when I'm searching to achieve higher learning.
Since I have Nitrox, Wreck, and have dove deep, and WANT to learn navigation, search and rescue, and making the diving environment safe for all, why can't instruction be geared towards the desired outcome for each student? When I inquired about my AOW because of this ONE dive I want to do, I found out that I have to repeat some other stuff I've already done just to appease PADI. This is sad, because I thought I'd like to go all the way and get my instructor's cert. so I could teach diving after retirement from the public school education system. But if this is how they do it, I'm too ethical and demanding to just go through the motions of making someone "feel" like they are accomplished divers.
I know that the instructor I chose would have given me the best instruction I could have if I had time to do it the way it should properly be given. But since time is of the essence for one dive I want to do (that I feel confident I am capable of at my level at this time), I have to get less than what I would like overall in order to dive it. I WILL continue on so I can become the best diver I can be and also be able to help others who find themselves in situations less than desirable, but I feel less confident in the process overall. I see now why we as teachers are looked "down upon" in general.
Sorry for going on so long......just wanted to spew out my feelings (for me AND my kids....lol).