ACR
Contributor
What's the next best course to take after AOW?
What next?
- Thread starter ACR
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Generally it is rescue diver. However, based solely on your profile and number of dives, I’d say just dive about 100 more times first. Have fun and get more certs as you need them. Try to dive with more experienced divers, you will learn so much more than any class.
What Dave said. Rescue will be more meaningful if you have some more experience under your belt. Don't fall into the "merit badge" mentality. However, if you just HAVE to sign up for another class before Rescue, I'd say do nitrox, deep, and/or navigation.
DivingPrincessE
Contributor
I'd say nitrox or peak performance buoyancy
It depends on what you want to learn.
No, really, it does.
I think Rescue is a class all divers should take. Not only do you learn some useful things about how best to approach and aid a person in distress, you also think a lot about how they got there and how you can avoid joining them. Rescue does not require advanced diving skills (more just watermanship) so it can be done at any time.
It is my own personal opinion that the vast majority of divers would benefit from learning better buoyancy and trim control, and some non-silting kicks. Some Peak Performance Buoyancy classes are very good, and some are not. No mainstream class I know of below cavern teaches non-silting kicks as a routine part of the curriculum.
Learning more about decompression and what the tables and computers are telling you is very useful information as well, as is learning some gas management. Neither is contained in any standard class that I'm aware of (except for individual instructors who will add such things on their own).
But given that you are in Ontario, you have access to a superb class, which is GUE's Fundamentals. Dan Mackay, one of their instructors, is based in Ontario. You might do a search on some Fundies class reports, and see if this sounds like anything you'd be interested in doing. It does require some equipment changes, at least for the duration of the class, but a lot of the information is usable no matter what configuration you decide to go with after the class.
No, really, it does.
I think Rescue is a class all divers should take. Not only do you learn some useful things about how best to approach and aid a person in distress, you also think a lot about how they got there and how you can avoid joining them. Rescue does not require advanced diving skills (more just watermanship) so it can be done at any time.
It is my own personal opinion that the vast majority of divers would benefit from learning better buoyancy and trim control, and some non-silting kicks. Some Peak Performance Buoyancy classes are very good, and some are not. No mainstream class I know of below cavern teaches non-silting kicks as a routine part of the curriculum.
Learning more about decompression and what the tables and computers are telling you is very useful information as well, as is learning some gas management. Neither is contained in any standard class that I'm aware of (except for individual instructors who will add such things on their own).
But given that you are in Ontario, you have access to a superb class, which is GUE's Fundamentals. Dan Mackay, one of their instructors, is based in Ontario. You might do a search on some Fundies class reports, and see if this sounds like anything you'd be interested in doing. It does require some equipment changes, at least for the duration of the class, but a lot of the information is usable no matter what configuration you decide to go with after the class.
H2Andy
Contributor
rescue
because it used to be that to be certified, you had to take the contents of OW and Rescue (in one class) ... so ... to be "fully" certified, Rescue is a must
also because it is a great class and it will teach you much ...
after that, just dive and see where your diving takes you. nitrox? overhead? deco? GUE-F?
who can say?
because it used to be that to be certified, you had to take the contents of OW and Rescue (in one class) ... so ... to be "fully" certified, Rescue is a must
also because it is a great class and it will teach you much ...
after that, just dive and see where your diving takes you. nitrox? overhead? deco? GUE-F?
who can say?
Your location would lead me to believe that a class on the use of a dry suit would be benificail. That way you can dive locally as well as on vacation in some tropical destination.
The Nitrox class will help you review diving tables, how diving affects your body and answer question about why there are different dive computers because of the different breathing gas mixtures available.
Buy the Encycopedia of Diving and read that between classes. You will have to read it if you make the step to prefessional anyway (via PADI). There is nothing stopping you from studying advance material like manuals on other specialties like boat, night or environmental awareness without taking the class. Just buy the book for the class and study it.
I also recommend the U.S. Navy Diving Manual and the National Oceanic and Aeronotic Administration's (United States) Diving Manual. There's lots of good physiology, physics and diving techniques information in those books.
The Nitrox class will help you review diving tables, how diving affects your body and answer question about why there are different dive computers because of the different breathing gas mixtures available.
Buy the Encycopedia of Diving and read that between classes. You will have to read it if you make the step to prefessional anyway (via PADI). There is nothing stopping you from studying advance material like manuals on other specialties like boat, night or environmental awareness without taking the class. Just buy the book for the class and study it.
I also recommend the U.S. Navy Diving Manual and the National Oceanic and Aeronotic Administration's (United States) Diving Manual. There's lots of good physiology, physics and diving techniques information in those books.
1) Do a bunch of dives (best to find more experienced divers to mentor you)
2) Rescue (once you have some experience in the water, this is a staple for divers, IMO)
3) DIR Fundamentals (discover what your instructor didn't tell you about diving and add a dimension of skills and fun), or NAUI Intro to Tech (see Jimmer's post below)
After these 3 basics, which I think are good for every diver from vacation to moving-to-tech, then your diving education would depend on your interests
2) Rescue (once you have some experience in the water, this is a staple for divers, IMO)
3) DIR Fundamentals (discover what your instructor didn't tell you about diving and add a dimension of skills and fun), or NAUI Intro to Tech (see Jimmer's post below)
After these 3 basics, which I think are good for every diver from vacation to moving-to-tech, then your diving education would depend on your interests
Jimmer
Contributor
How about talking to Matt about doing the Naui Intro to Tech in rec gear. I know he offers it that way, he mentioned it last time I talked to him about taking it. I'll be doing it in doubles etc, possibly next month, that might be a good option if you just want help fine tuning a lot of important details like buoyancy air sharing etc.
Jim
Jim
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