Back then I was eligible for more training, today I am ready for more training.
That there's one of the most cogent distinctions I've seen on this old argument ... and it gets right to the heart of the difference in philosophy between those who want to take (or sell) AOW directly out of OW and those who don't.
As with most things scuba-related, it depends on a bunch of things ...
- What are your expectations of the class? Why are you taking it? Is it for skills development? Or because you're simply not comfortable enough to dive without supervision? Or because you need access to a particular dive site or type of dive?
- How well did you really do in OW? How comfortable do you feel performing the skills you learned in that class? How solid is your ability to control your buoyancy? Can you make a safety stop without accidentally surfacing?
- What kind of environment are you diving in? What are the demands of that environment? How do those demands affect your skills and comfort?
The answers to all of these questions will help you determine whether or not an AOW class will be a good investment for you now ... or whether you should gain a bit of experience prior to taking the class.
Keep in mind that only you can really make that determination. Instructors are trained to sell classes ... and most agencies want them to sell you the next class straight out of the one you're currently in. That has both positives and negatives. It keeps you diving, and interested ... and it keeps a steady revenue stream coming in to the instructor and dive op selling you the classes. So those people generally have a vested interest in getting you into the class sooner, rather than later. So while they may be genuinely interested in what's best for you, it behooves you to listen to their advice with that in mind.
Your aptitude plays a huge role in how soon you'll be able to get something positive out of the class. Some people are ready straight out of OW ... but in reality that's more the exception than the rule. Some folks can be completely comfortable after a dive or two post-OW. Others take longer. It really depends on the diver.
Your reasons play a huge role. If you're uncomfortable diving unsupervised and taking the class to get more dives with an instructor, that's a valid reason to get more supervised dives. But perhaps AOW isn't the best approach, since it'll make it harder for you to focus on learning the new things the class is supposed to be teaching you. Hiring a divemaster to take you diving or finding an experienced mentor may be a better idea ... at least for a few dives.
Environment plays a huge role. Where are you diving? Cold water ... with its requirement for heavy exposure gear, gloves, hood, and weight ... makes learning to dive more difficult. Current, low visibility, surf entries, and a host of other factors have to be factored into your readiness to learn in that environment.
AOW is perhaps the most wildly variable class you can take, in terms of the instructor's approach. As DD pointed out, it can be as simple as a handful of guided dives, or as complex as learning true advanced diving techniques. Where you learn, your instructor's approach to the class, and what you want to take away from it all factor into whether or not you're ready.
As an example, I teach in a place where the water is cold (currently about 47 degrees F), visibility can be low (currently less than 10 feet), and we can have large tidal swings (15+ feet this past week-end) and therefore a lot of current. The skills to dive independently in that kind of environment can pose some real challenges. Many sites can get crazy-deep in a hurry ... therefore good gas management skills are important. Learning how to plan a dive using current charts is a basic skill. Learning how to dive with a buddy in low-vis conditions is a basic skill. Complex navigation skills are pretty much mandatory. Dealing with problems while task-loaded is pretty much mandatory (because we all have to at some point). Deploying a DSMB is mandatory in some locations ... particularly for boat dives. Therefore all of these are skills that need to be covered at the AOW level.
Other areas may need to cover things like surf entries ... or how to descend down an anchor line in heavy current ... or how to make entries/exits in rocky locations ... or any number of things that are specific to the environment you're learning in. Will you be ready to learn those things if you're still hesitant on your fundamental skills? Or will the task-loading overwhelm you to the point where you have to depend on assistance from the person teaching the class? Keep in mind that person won't be there when class is over, and you'll need to have the skills and confidence to do those things for yourself.
Only you can really answer those questions. Instructors have their own guidelines that they follow ... for reasons determined either by their philosophical approach to teaching or by their business goals. Neither of those really factor your needs into their recommendation to take the class ... only you can do that.
Diving's all about self-reliance. Once you're done with the confined water part of your OW class, you never again want to be a dependent diver. What you learn, and when you're ready to learn it are completely your decision to make. All any of us can do, really, is tell you some things you should think about before you make it.
Oh ... and about being a more desirable dive buddy ... keep in mind that a lot of divers, particularly at the local level, enjoy a buddy who knows how to have fun. Your experience means less than your attitude and willingness to learn. Lots of divers get a real kick out of taking new divers out ... their excitement over some of the simple things we've grown so accustomed to that we take for granted helps us remember why we got into diving in the first place ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
