What to do after Open Water PADI

[TSandM]

Where are you in the UK? We might be able to give you some better advice about courses and instructors if we knew that.

I wholeheartedly agree with the idea that getting certified in the Maldives probably won't be sufficient preparation for diving in the UK. Cold water, heavy exposure protection and limited viz make for a rather different diving world. You can either transition through formal classes, or hook up with someone to mentor you, but it would be a very good idea to do your first cold water dives with someone with a lot more experience, one way or the other.

 

[dolesorchard]

I am not the most experienced diver but I consider myself a much better diver than many I have seen with all kinds of training. I got certified in 1974, dove some then had a job that really limitted my time to dive and then had kids and continues in jobs that gave me no time to dive. I finally got back to diving in 2002 and can't believe I didn't make time for it. I have only OW and Enriched Air, but I read and observe and have always learned best on my own.

On the other hand, I now live in Maine and know what its like to dive in cold water. Before you start diving in cold water, find someone who will help you. After that just dive, pick other's brains and dive some more. I have seen so many divers who think because they have some advanced training that they are good divers and they are not. Get experience.

 

[RU4SKUBA]

There is a push to get you into another class right out of ow with the justification that it is more dives with an instructor. I think that's rubbish. Find a club, mentor, or independent instructor that loves to just dive and ask them to give you an assessment. Go diving within your limits now. Refine your skills and then think about further training. There is no rush. And if you received proper training to begin with all you will do is reinforce those good habits. If you don't know if you got proper training find someone who is not after your cash to see you on the water. Main thing is to know what questions to ask before you sign or pay for anything.

Jim's comment carries certain assumptions, but he's essentially correct.

His view comes from a center of the local diving world where connections are a certainty and there are many opportunities for mentors to fulfill those roles. He also assumes the mentors are qualified to be giving any advice, which given the state of affairs, is arguable.

Presuming your OW instruction was as in-depth as Jim's courses --and you can perform the objectives hovering-- he's absolutely correct, you would not need further training or instruction presuming you are diving in the familiar locations.

But if you were leaving your local environment to do your first open water dives in the ocean, then AOW could be ideal. For not much more cash than a few days of 2-tank diving you can get 5-6 dives with an instructor on subject areas you get to pre-determine with a specific goal in mind.

I would argue AOW has great diving knowledge value for someone stepping outside their comfort zone, but that it is most certainly not an advanced credential.

 

[ajduplessis]

Peak Performance Buoyancy, Rescue and then Advanced OW

 

[TMHeimer]

Peak Performance Buoyancy, Rescue and then Advanced OW

You need PADI Adventure Diver before Rescue, so may as well just "finish" that and get AOW.

 

[Chill Diver]

If you are going to be diving in cold water, might I suggest drysuit? It will make your cold water dives much more comfortable.

I dive cold water here in Canada and I have done my OW, nitrox, drysuit, and a few other dives. I plan to do my AOW at the end of this month. I plan to continue on to rescue some time after that.

I personally appreciate having an instructor by my side when learning to dive. I also echo the recommendation to dive with other experience divers while gaining experience.

Good luck and keep diving.

 

[Mike Boswell]

I strongly agree with those who say cold water diving is a whole different kettle of fish.

 

[knowone]

Go to the beach, have a look, and then to the dive shop.

 

[Easdem]

My 2 cents.

I also got certified in a tropical climate. Did most of my dives in a tropical paradise in PR where I am from. (BTW if anyone needs advise where to go in PR PM me) I now live in NC, where more exposure protection is necessary, visibility is not as good and conditions can change very quickly. It's more challenging diving but it all depends how comfortable you are in the water and how practiced your skills are.

I recommend you take a "buoyancy class" from whatever agency is most convenient to your location. That way, you will be diving in a new environment with professional supervision...it will make the transition easier AND you will get something out of the class since you will probably be using exposure protection you may be unfamiliar with. Also, its a really easy way to meet new dive buddies....

 

[Teamcasa]

Like many others have said, just go out and dive. However, my advice would be to find a mentor and/or get connected with a group of local divers that dive your area regularly. Listen to (most) of them and ask about good local instructors. Then talk to him/her about your training plans.