What certifications would you say are a "must have"?

[Lorenzoid]

AOW and Nitrox will open many doors.

We might elaborate on this for the OP.

AOW: Some dive operators require a diver possess an AOW cert before taking the diver on dives that might be considered more challenging. This is an unfortunate situation for some experienced divers who never bothered to get an AOW cert. The benefits of the AOW course can be hotly debated, but it is simply a fact that some dive operator someday is likely to ask you to show an AOW card.

Nitrox: Nitrox has become the default breathing gas for many divers. Most divers at vacation-type dive operations will be using Nitrox, and on a group dive you don't want to be the one in the group breathing air. Some thrifty divers who dive on their own may still use air, but most everyone favors Nitrox these days. You don't need us to tell you here about the benefits of Nitrox--you have either already heard about them or can easily read up.

 

[Boarderguy]

Being that you're in Canada I'd say drysuit, AOW, and nitrox. That way you're covered for essentially every standard dive opportunity offered by an LDS or charter. I went 22 years as just OW and dove what I wanted, where I wanted. I only got my AOW because an instructor friend offered it at his cost. I got my DPV cert because a buddy needed a buddy for his course and that lead to me buying a scooter. I finally got nitrox, again at instructor cost, to avoid issues at my LDS when getting deco bottles filled.

I dive a drysuit and never had an official course or cert in it. That is only after having dove for 20 years wet and my base was solid enough to make the switch without issue. As a newer diver I would recommend the course/cert. The cert also allows you to rent a drysuit as desired.

 

[Germie]

I never took a course that did not bring me deeper or further. This means that AOW is a good choice to not have discussions if you go to 30m depth, you can have a nightdive in it and rest is optional.
Then maybe deepdiver to 40m.
And nitrox. AOW and nitrox are the first things I would do.

Courses like photography, biology, boatdiving, etc are in my opinion fun courses, they don't teach you diving. Especially if you want to do photography, do it with a real photographer and not just with an instructor who is allowed to teach that course and never had published 1 single photo. The instructor must have in my eyes a camera with strobes, so they can learn you how this works. Also must be able to take macro and wide angle shots, not only 1 of them.
Take biology from someone who really loves the nature, not from someone who just is allowed to teach it. Here in my region the specialty is given once a year by biologystudents from the university. The students get points when they teach in 1 evening a specific subject and then you get more information than normal. It takes 8 evenings and costs almost nothing. If you want you can get the specialty card at the end. The students are no dive instructors, but you don't need to dive for it. And the course is open for everyone who is interested, diver or not. The divers can get a cmas cert if they want.

Drysuit or sidemount are nice if you are unsure, but not really needed. You can learn it yourself or with a buddy, but it maybe takes more time. For sidemount you need a camera if you want to do it yourself. If you take a sidemount course, in 4 dives you are normally ready for most dives, but if you do it yourself you need at least 10 dives to adjust, try, figure out, etc to get the same experience.

So you have more or less required courses, maybe nice to follow courses and the funcourses.

And AOW is now required to take your camera with you in Thailand.

 

[PatW]

Suggested courses:

Open Water because no operator will take you out uncertified (except discover scuba).

Advanced Open Water - most operators will not let you do “deep dives” without it.

Nitrox - this is handy because it increases bottom time but decreases max depth.

Peak Performance Buoyancy - gets you weighted properly and gives you pointers on maintaining neutral buoyancy. This gives you better control and better air consumption. Some people kinda come by this naturally.

And Rescue - this is really not about rescuing other people. It is about recognizing problems before they happen, considering their impact and solving them or calling the dive. It is more about not getting into a situation where you do not NEED rescuing. And it can get you to the point where you can “rescue” other divers before things get critical.

My wife noticed another diver tipping into distress underwater and went over and settled her down. Interestingly enough, that lady was fine for the rest of the trip. I think she felt that others would look out for her,

 

[gmerick]

My diving - LOB and resort diving in the Caribbean, 2-tank day trips at Caribbean cruise destinations, LOB in Great Lakes.
Useful certs:
AOW - because I'm more likely to be included in the "advanced" group when the boat splashes more than one group.
NITROX - because some LOB's are requiring Nitrox, and because I feel safer / better doing so.
Deep / Wreck - because the opportunity for this type of dive occurs frequently, and I want the knowledge/skills/attitudes appropriate for these dives.

My most useful:
Self Reliant - because I do a lot of solo shore dives here in St Croix. I've also been on several LOB's that honor the cert, and I've gone off on my own. -- but this would have to be on ones long term goals, because the prerequisites make it so.

 

[gamon]

Make sure you get your Master Diver certification, it's good for two reasons. 1- your wallet will be thinner and easier to slip into your pocket or purse (and it will be lighter) and 2- if you ever need to try to open a locked door without a key you can use the plastic card to try to catch the door latch and work it open.

 

[rick00001967]

I have just completed my first few dives with just my open water and have been looking into continuing my dive education. Which certifications do you think really open up what experiences you can have while diving? Of those which do you think would be the best to get as a new diver? I personally have been considering either drysuit certification or night diving.

i did not read the other responses so i am sorry if i am repeating anything already said.

first, congrats on completing your ow course.

imho the answer depends on what typr of diving you plan on doing and whether you will be remaining a recreational diver or plan on becoming a pro.

i will assume at this point you have no plans on becoming pro.

as far as a dry suit and night diving courses go......i would not say either is a "must have". if you will be doing that type of diving, a course can be very beneficial for some divers. but for others it would be unnecessary and a waste of time and money.

i never took a dry suit course or a night diving course and i dived in a dry suit and love night diving.

my advise is to get out and dive as much as you like and gain as much experience as possible first. find out what you like and what you dont like, and maybe you will have a better idea of what courses might be the best for you.

for example.....if after a year of diving you visit mexico and fall in love with diving in the cenotes / caverns, you may decide to get some cave training. i can tell you that for me personally, taking my cavern course was the best decision i ever made as far as training goes.

as far as a "must have" course, you might consider nitrox. and i say that because many more "advanced" course will require that as a prerequisite. navigation can be a big help if you have no idea how to use a compass etc.

 

[rhwestfall]

OW/AOW is a minimum floor level unless going to FUNDIES...

Nothing wrong with PPB, but other instruction may build that.

Rescue is really good as it builds your self confidence and awareness.

The NAUI MSD (not the other one) really expands your knowledge and experiences, but not with the DM/Business of Diving "fluff".

Keep in mind, it is a quality instructor and an interested learner that makes these good. It can be just a worthless card, or a valuable experience...

Nitrox has a real benefit for repetitive dives situations.

Learning stuff like DPV, Dry Suit, are tools if you need them, and learning from a qualified instructor is typically better than brute forcing it on your own.

Then crazy stuff like Ice Diving...

After that, things like AN/DP are when you want something big to climb and you are "all in" on the sport (and not the business).

Maybe if you really are inclined, things like equipment maintenance, gas blending, tank inspection feed your need to be really involved.

 

[TMHeimer]

Depends on what kind of diving you do. I haven't run into anyone on SB yet who hasn't recommended Rescue Diver for all divers.

 

[Boarderguy]

Depends on what kind of diving you do. I haven't run into anyone on SB yet who hasn't recommended Rescue Diver for all divers.

Rescue is a great course once you've gotten dialed in. I don't recommend it for new divers. Too many moving parts and responsibilities under water during it. It also doesn't open up anything dive related which the OP asked for.