Specialty Classses (e.g., nav, deep) - worth it?

[dlwalke]

I've taken the NAUI AOW class, and am wondering where to go next. I plan on taking the nitrox and rescue course, but am wondering also whether I should take any of the specialty classes. Mainly, I am interested in some of the same ones I got in AOW, including nav, deep, and night. How redundant is this with the AOW course? Would I really learn enough extra to justify taking these classes? Could I get the course materials (I assume their is a booklet???) and get as much out of it as if I did take the class?

Thanks
Dave

 

[Quarrior]

I think the specialty class have good information to give. However, you can gain the same information by finding yourself an experienced mentor to dive with. Some classes like Nitrox and Rescue are definately worth the money.

 

[Bubble Blower 479]

I agree that Nitrox and Rescue are worth the money and you should do them. The other specialties tend to be less beneficial. I think they could be very benefical depending on the instructor involved. Navigation, Deep, and Night diving could be very valuable with the right instructor. I have seen many specialty courses that you could get more info by self study than what the instructor provided. Waves, Tides, and Currents would also be good if the instructor helped you understand the subject. Those instructors that teach specialties as if they were merit badges give the specialty programs a bad rep.

 

[sleepyhead]

Hi,
You might want to consider doing Deep. It allows you to go 40m and it extends your diving range. It's a very good experience to get Nook or nitrox narcosis. I mean it in a good way. I remember i was spinning when i went to 44 m. That's right. My instructor is a tech deep diver for a long time. We decided to go a bit deeper to experience some slight nar.. my head was spinning round and round. When i ascend to 40 m and up. It was gone. Multiple safety stops for added safety.

Plus with the deep, you can go on to do wreck spec later on. It's fun..

 

[Fly N Dive]

it all depends on how good an instructor is, i have 7 specialties and all of them were very informitive, i would at least sugest you get search and recovery specialty with yor rescue

 

[dlwalke]

Hi,
You might want to consider doing Deep. It allows you to go 40m and it extends your diving range. It's a very good experience to get Nook or nitrox narcosis. I mean it in a good way. I remember i was spinning when i went to 44 m. That's right. My instructor is a tech deep diver for a long time. We decided to go a bit deeper to experience some slight nar.. my head was spinning round and round. When i ascend to 40 m and up. It was gone. Multiple safety stops for added safety.

Plus with the deep, you can go on to do wreck spec later on. It's fun..

Well, I've already had deep in the AOW class. Didn't feel any NN at 124 ft which we did on that dive, but a few days later (post certification) went to 141 and felt it in a big way. It was a very peaceful, meditative ascent, while under the spell of Nitrogen Narcosis.

 

[Seabear70]

I haven't taken the deep diving course, but I am assuming they give some practical experience in deco diving. I took my deco trining elsewhere, and I am having to learn to do it a comletely different way now.

 

[murphdivers286]

The speciality course are suppose to go further in depth with each course. AOW class just gives an overview of each to give you a taste of what they have to offer. If the instructor does not satisfy this, then go to another LDS. I plan on taking deep and wreck myself.