Should EANx just be part of AOW?

[mtnredhed]

I would argue that having a recreational EANx chapter in any AOW or equivalent course is the right thing to do. Keep current course for people who just need that additional info, or structure the AOW so that people just needing that section can drop in.

Pro's:
- At least half of the PADI EANx book is nothing more than extended table work, plus cns exposure computation. Should be part of the course anyway.
- The remaining information would just be it's own chapter.
- more and more resorts and live-aboards are offering EANx to their clients.
- it would be trivial to add in the surface skills as part of the existing open water work

Con's:
- One less merit badge to sell for the agencies
- slight increase in cost due to the tanks and tables
- maybe adds an hour to class time

 

[H2Andy]

Should EANx just be part of AOW?

yes, it should. however, it probably won't happen.

most PADI shops offer Nitrox and AOW as a package, but they still
cost more than just one class would.

thus, having two separate classes is more profitable for the shops.

thus, dont' expect to see Nitrox added to AOW any time soon.

 

[Seabear70]

Here's the thing...

A lot of people taking the AOW course, or even teaching the course now are kinda over loaded with info and responsibilities as is. How about we expand the nitrox course to cover deco diving?

 

[H2Andy]

How about we expand the nitrox course to cover deco diving?

deco's a whole new world. Nitrox is way much simpler.

i don't think AOW is all that complex. in fact, it was a
joke class for me.

all the work for Nitrox is done topside (once you're in the water all you do is breathe) whereas all the
AOW work is done diving.

so i would say that the two complement each other rather nciely.

 

[Curt Bowen]

Here's the thing...

A lot of people taking the AOW course, or even teaching the course now are kinda over loaded with info and responsibilities as is. How about we expand the nitrox course to cover deco diving?

Maybe we should just toss in staged decompression, gas blending and maybe normoxic trimix?

 

[Seabear70]

no, but basic inwater deco would teach the basic procedures and get people to work on their boyancy control.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Should EANx just be part of AOW?

most PADI shops offer Nitrox and AOW as a package, but they still
cost more than just one class would.

Based on what?

i don't think AOW is all that complex. in fact, it was a
joke class for me.

If you're lucky you get what you pay for but rarely more.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

all the work for Nitrox is done topside (once you're in the water all you do is breathe) whereas all the
AOW work is done diving.

Maybe for some agencies ... NAUI requires both classroom and diving for Nitrox. NAUI also requires both classroom and diving for AOW.

FWIW - I know a few instructors who are bundling Nitrox with OW.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MikeFerrara]

The recreational use of nitrox isn't rocket science and should be included right from the start in entry level training. Some agenciea already permit the combinationa and it works.

 

[detroit diver]

no, but basic inwater deco would teach the basic procedures and get people to work on their boyancy control.

They're supposed to be teaching you bouyancy control in OW. With the exception of a few instructors that even know the difference, bouyancy control is just given lip service.

As for a deco class, you might argue semantics, but all of our diving has a decompression element. Being within the NDL limits still does not allow you to shoot up from 120 feet like a rocket. That's why it's frustrating that so little emphasis is placed on bouyancy control.