DIR- GUE SDI/PADI AOW worth it?

[Flamebut57]

Thank you all for your insights,

Heard from whom?

I misspoke and should have said read. I read in various Reddit threads and websites when researching the various certification agencies before my OW. This was a couple of years ago so I’m not too sure what Google would say now.

It might be of interest to many here on SB if you were to give it a go and write up a course report here.

This is a great idea. Ill keep it in mind.

Before you do anything more, I'd suggest taking a Nitrox / Enriched Air course.

I did my Nitrox with PADI about a year after my OW.

I haven’t quite decided yet but right now I’m leaning towards getting the SDI AOW since it’s basically free. I’m still open to doing the GUE AOW later down the road.

Has anyone here taken another agencies AOW and GUE’s Rec 2/AOW? I would be interested in hearing about the experience and what they think about the quality of training.

 

[Rilelen]

Just wanted to note that the upcharge for PADI AOW (rather than SDI) is probably because PADI charges instructors/shops a rather hefty amount for materials and student registration fees - I think for AOW it's currently around $180 for eLearning, $130 for traditional classroom, with some variation (instructors/shops get discounts based on the number of students they process). My understanding is that SDI charges way less to its instructors, so the increase in cost for the PADI cert is likely to account for the greater expense (on the instrutor/shop's end). In case you were worried that the upcharge seems sketch.

Personally, I'd just take the SDI cert if you're thinking about doing it.

 

[fred32176]

In Florida, there are lots of places and charters that require AOW. In West Palm Beach I got on a boat where everyone had to show their AOW and nitrox card and the same company's larger boat at the next slip only required OW/air. The two boats didn't do the same dives.

I was at Paradise Springs last week and they require AOW. I have done all my training SDI as SDI/TDI is what my LDS mostly does. As far as places and charters are concerned AOW is AOW.

 

[schuylerclark]

I did PADI OW in Belize and Advanced with SDI in FL. (SDI offers both Advanced Adventurer and Advanced - the former is the equivalent of PADI AOW and I believe what you’re referring to.) In both cases, I did online learning at home and then did the skills and dives with the instructor. For me, this approach fits my learning style and schedule well. I never felt it detracted from vacation in the least, if anything it was more enjoyable than just diving with a group.

The instructor’s ability is FAR more important than the agency - I opted not to do AOW on an earlier trip because I didn’t care for the instructor at that op.

I do have a slight preference for how SDI does things over PADI (materials, ordering cards, etc). Cert cards have been recognized everywhere I’ve gone with no issues.