So, what is the point of AOW???

[jd950]

Perhaps I should clarify a bit. I have dived at night, dived well below 60' many times, done shore dives, boat dives, drift dives and cenotes, have my buoyancy under pretty good control and intend to take some form of peak performance buoyancy course soon to improve those skills, just because I want to. I have no interest in diving into wrecks (as opposed to around them) or caves.

If I am going to go somewhere beyond my knowledge and comfort level, I'm going to go with someone qualified to introduce me to that environment, regardless of whatever card I may get from PADI.

The instructor's point was that experience and how one dives should matter more than the AOW card and that he didn't think anyone would refuse to let me dive a site, or go on their boat, etc., just because I didn't have the card, since my logs would demonstrate that I have done those kinds of dives (Don't get me wrong, I know I have a lot to learn and am still pretty new at this, but I dive as much as I can and work hard at developing the skills required to be good and to be safe). I think he is really just trying to save me some money.

Also, its not about five more dives. If I'm not doing the dives for the AOW card, I'll be doing five dives in that same period anyway. The funny thing is they would still include night dives, drift dives and deep dives, I usually am taking photographs when I dive, and although I don't normally swim through plastic hoops, I go through swim-thrus and often use a book to later look up creatures that I can't identify.

What I am hearing from at least a few of you, is that no AOW card would cause a problem for me in some places (perhaps Catalina?) I seem to recall hearing of someone who was not allowed to dive (I think in Malta?) because they did not have an AOW card.

That was really the point. Not whether exploring different types or seeking out more diving opportunities was valuable, or whether you as a divemaster or instructor want to take someone on their first deep dive. I'm talking about someone who has done the type of dives in question but doesn't have the little gold card from PADI or whatever. So, who else requires that AOW card?

 

[1_T_Submariner]

The BOW/AOW certs are to cut the price of certification and length of the course in 1/2 to get more people to take it. Take BOW then find out the dive you really want to do you can't go on without AOW (USS Oriskany for me) so I got to write a check do some dives and got the card.

I will say that the Navaguessing part of the course was worth it.

 

[coldsmoke]

I agree with TSandM. My AOW was a waste of time and money, but I didn't realize that until later. I do believe that an AOW course can be very good given the right instructor. Most current BOW courses barely cover the basics. Advanced training is good thing, but I'm afraid it really depends on the instructor. Find someone willing to really train you rather than just get you a card quickly. Good Luck.

Where are you located?

Hunter

 

[jd950]

I'm in Colorado, but I don't dive here.

 

[Steve_Dives]

The deep class is good because you learn gas planning. If you wonder why agencies limit OW divers to 60 feet, take a deep class.

I like the nitrox course because you learn a little more about gas physiology. Plus, if you do a live aboard or resort for a week, it could make a difference in the number of dives you get to make.

My buddy was denied a dive because he was not AOW. He had probably 50 more dives than me at the time, but I was accepted because I had the AOW. In the end, neither of us made the dive because we didn't feel qualified (if the itinerary was accurate, we wouldn't have even asked).

If you just want to dive, don't plan to go after still higher certifications, and have buddies that can teach you what you want to learn you may not need the class. But you might meet new buddies, and you may learn something which will make you a safer diver. My advice is to keep learning.

 

[Divedoggie]

There is the other side of the insurance issue as well. Your own insurance. I recall reading about a woman who was injured while diving in the Red Sea. She was forced to recover from her injuries in the Mid-East. Her insurance would not pay. They said that she was not certified to be diving to said depth, thus it was her own risk, and her own burden for payment.

The bare minimum AOW course isn't worth much, but given the motivated Instructor, it can be an excellent experience. Have you been introduced to search and recovery? Gettting creative and doing actual searches for something worthwhile. Maintaining perfect buoyancy and trim while using lift bags?
Maybe your Instructor friend can put together a truly great AOW class for you.

 

[Divedoggie]

Where are you in Colorado? I'll put a great AOW together for you, if you want to go down to the Blue Hole.

 

[StevenN]

I was really happy with my AOW course. I felt that I got some good experience and learned some things that made me a better diver. I still have a lot to learn but I enjoyed the class and met some great people. I'd recommend taking it but like anything else the value of the course depends on the instructor.

 

[cuddlefish]

The instructor you spoke with should be ashamed of himself. And NOT because he didn't get you to spend money. But because he must not be a good enough instructor to make the AOW class worth your time and money. Personally, I think the the AOW class is not hard enough...but a good instructor could find out what you need in order for the advanced class to be worth it for YOU. Since you mentioned wanting to work on your buoyancy...then that could be one of your advanced dives. Surely you could learn at least something from the navigation dive. To just say that it's not worth you time...might mean it's just not worth HIS time.

 

[427Dave]

I too have a NASDS Scuba Diver certification from 1976. I started diving in 1960 without any certification. I bought my gear from J.C. Penny (Healthways). I have been doing night, wreck, 100ft+, drift, type dives years. I just got my AOW a year ago. The reason : my NASDS card broke completely up and even the microfish fell out. I needed another card, could not find out how to replace the old NASDS card, NASDS office had a fire and their records were lost. So I took the PADI AOW while I was in Aruba last year. They did not like my old taped together card anymore even though I had been diving with them for about ten years. It didn't really cost anymore than booking the five dives, it was all dives that I planned on doing anyway. There really wasn't much of a class, not like the old NASDS, I read the chapter at night, did the quiz at the end, brought it to the dive shop, they graded it and went over it, and we went diving. So was it worth it? Well I have not idea, financially it didn't cost anymore than the dives I planned on, Did it give me new information, I don't think so, Did I learn anything from it, yes I always learn something from every dive I have ever done, does it make me a better diver, It may have as it was five more dives that I made and experience will do that, It was fun and now I have a new card that I don't get hassled about, it even has a picture on it! Am I a better diver now with a new card, NOPE, same old guy only I can now use that VooDoo Gas, got Nitrox ceritified also. I still need dives and experience to keep making me better! I don't think you ever learn enough! It was 5 dives that were educational as all dives are. Does the AOW qualify me to go out a make dives that are beyond my capabilities, NO, I do not think AOW has changed a thing and I still need to dive within my comfort level, as I have always done.

So to a new diver would I recommend the AOW certification, YES as it is more experience and maybe some different types of dives. I would recommend having at least 15-20 dives and you are comfortable in the water before doing it.