DIR- GUE SDI/PADI AOW worth it?

[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.

 

[Jakeev]

What was your GUE Certt

 

[scottgrizzard]

The instructor’s ability is FAR more important than the agency

I second (and third and omega and every ordinal number this notion).

It depends what you want. If all you want is the card and permission to do more dives, while doing the bare minimum, then go with just a generic PADI or SDI or SSI instructor at a resort and have fun diving. I would just remember that you probably did not learn all that much and stick to diving with dive professionals on tourist dive boats (and make sure all that personal life insurance and DAN insurance stuff is up to date).

If you actually want something from the course, then you have actually taken the most important step...actually wanting something from the course.

Most instructors (even us lowly PADI plug-ins) actually enjoy teaching diving, and most know how to dive well (yes, I have seen exceptions). If you start asking questions and know what you want to work on, then the instructor will usually give you some personal attention.

If you are going to ask questions about the instructor before taking the class, ask if the instructor does technical diving (not teaches, but just does it). That is usually sufficient to know you will be getting an instructor who knows how to dive well (this is not a necessary condition...most instructors do know how to dive well... but if you are sitting in this particular forum asking these questions, you probably want someone who knows how to do the diving you are intending to do).

 

[Badger7]

For someone just getting started with diving, you're going to want a relationship with your local dive shop if you plan on doing any local diving (reg service, gas fills, etc). If there's a local shop with GUE affiliation, awesome, go introduce yourself, meet an instructor and get started with really great training and advice from the get-go. They have recently revamped their rec curriculum and I think it makes a lot more approachable for new divers.

If not, I wouldn't be to worried about "learning bad habits" doing an OW or AOW course with whatever agency is represented locally PADI,SSI,SDI or otherwise. Frankly, you're not going to be ingraining ANY habits good or bad in that whirlwind of of your first OW/AOW courses. You'll get a card that gets you on the boat worldwide, and just enough training to get you down and back up again in a relatively safe manner. Once you get your feet wet, then you can decide if taking a GUE class and honing your dive skills in and out of the water sounds like fun. I really enjoyed taking Fundamentals, but it was a tough class and I'm glad I did a lot of diving first. I don't think learning the skills and kicks were any tougher starting with AOW form another agency. How many fresh PADI AOW recruits are even attempting back kicks, helicopter turns, practicing OOG drills and DSMB ascents from depth?

The one thing I WOULD recommend to new divers is to avoid buying an expensive set of brand new gear right after getting your AOW card. What you think you need now compared to what gear supports the diving you want to do in the future might not be a great match.

 

[mariosx]

Ι was in your shoes 2 years back. Few months after my OW I got a "strong" GUE-F Rec, that is reaching close to tec pass, thus I got training with doubles, canister light, etc... minus drysuit. I will continue with my awful experience and practically a rant, along with the optimal solution to your problem, IMO:

RANT:
1-2 weeks later while registering for a dive with my dive buddy (GUE-C2) at maximum 60' I was refused service when showing my GUE-F card, even after I showed OW card, because "he didn't trust me, and because I may feel like a god and call others strokes (???) but the dive site has a drop to 70'". I guess my cheap perdix computer has issues with depth readings. The owner was at best a certified AH that didn't like the agency, but allowed newly OW trained divers that didn't know how to set their own gear join the boat dive. Going to the other shop (2 minutes walk far) same issues, but this time I was not allowed because I will kill myself with the long hose (through self-strangulation), and I don't know hot to use it. The discussion finished when I quickly put on my gear and literal asked him to try to strangle me.
I decided to get this AOW card to have something to show to miserable entities like the above, and to get the depth extension. Long story short, my AOW training was an uber clusterduck involving an "experienced" incompetent instructor that was insulting me and GUE (with no provocation or response from my side) constantly, and with highlights being myself LITERALLY rescuing a student he lost in a silty lake at zero vis, AS THE ONLY PERSON CARRYING A LIGHT during my first deep dive training at 90', that included finding the student at 200psi and donating air... AND during the PEAK buoyancy class, hovering effortlessly on his face, while he was evaluating me and "giving me tips" at a 45 degrees ankles, constantly holding a shipwreck to maintain balance.
The only thing I learned from my awesome non-"DIR" instructor the first day before she got a cold and pushed me to this individual was handling a stage along with my doubles, search patterns, and basic navigation; the only useful skills I learned in less than 15 min collectively.
So, IMO, a typical AOW for somebody that is thinking to continue with GUE (at any level) is an unfathomable waste of time and money, BUT may be necessary for getting you access in most recreational dives and bypassing challenged individuals running diving shops.

FUNNY SOLUTION:
Do as I did. Take GUE-F and IF needed go for a typical AOW cert. Show to subpar instructors that don't know any better that there are ways to improve themselves and their students by maintaining a better and more confident attitude in the water. Push for a positive change in the community just by existing, and enjoy any insecure cries coming at you.

OPTIMAL SOLUTION:
Get into the GUE class and contact a GUE instructor that teaches also for other (more popular) agencies. Spend the 4-5 days actually becoming a better diver and in the end, assuming of course you perform to a degree, almost certainly any skills you passed or failed for GUE standards, would be an easy pass for AOW pass in the more popular agencies. Few skills that may remain to tick of boxes in the other agency, could be performed in a fun single dive.
That way you both save time, money, and your sanity, while you get additional instruction from a guaranteed top 1% instructor of the other agency that you would have to potentially consider anyway.

 

[cyclingman]

I guess I'd say that if there are dives you want/plan to do for which the operator requires AOW (or equivalent), go ahead and get AOW (or equivalent) in the most straightforward way available to you. But based on my own experience doing PADI AOW, and that of my kids and a few friends, I would not expect to learn very much that matters. If you actually want to learn more skills, or improve your current skills, I think you need to look for other types of instruction, coaching, or mentorship than an AOW course.

FWIW, I think it's nuts that agencies let people do OW and AOW back to back, because then the person has no experience but a certification that includes the word "Advanced."

 

[GreggS]

I have the SDI AOW cert and have never been denied a dive anywhere I've been. Oh, I've had a boat captain or DM chide me about it, but it was in good sport. I say go with it. There is nothing shady or concern about SDI. The LDS I was certified thru does both SDI and PADI. They encouraged me to do SDI.

 

[Rich1280]

If you have a look on the GUE website there's 3 Rec2 classes and 2 AOWs scheduled. Not in Florida, but they are out there. If your interest is the GUE community, then PD/Fundies is probably the way to go, and then look at GUE AOW/R2 as you see fit later. GUE AOW looks like a combo AOW and rescue though compared to most other agencies, which is a value in itself.
Rich