Where to Take PADI AOW in PCB?

[ResortDiver850]

Hi,

I recently got my OW Cert. I want to take AOW in the PCB area this November. Can anyone recommend a good instructor? I've talked to a couple shops in PCB. They have told me it would be around $500 for offshore dives, 1 to 1 instructor, and gear rental.

I only have 5 dives (most are quarry dives), and really want to get some experience in the ocean under a instructor's supervision.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[sportxlh]

I've talked to an instructor at Diver's Den and one at Panama City Divers when I was contemplating side mount training and they both seemed competent. Unfortunately, I can't recall either of their names.

You might want to consider getting a few more dives done before doing your AOW. Everyone is different, but I personally think you should get in more than 5 dives before pursuing your AOW: say, 25 or 50 dives first: I waited until I had 100 dives. If you are nervous about ocean diving, just hire a guide for a few dives so you can get comfortable with the environment

 

[ResortDiver850]

Just curious, why do you think it would be a good idea to get more dives in before AOW?

Thanks!

 

[sportxlh]

Simply getting some real world experience so the AOW will be more meaningful. Not unlike going back to grad school after college. You can do it right away, but for most people, having some level of real world work experience (or in the case of diving, some level of diving experience which shows you've mastered the skills from your OW training) you end up appreciating the addition instruction more and it has much more of an impact on how you do things. In the old days, the certifying agencies used to require 25 dives or more before you started the AOW work. If you're doing the AOW deep dive, and you still suck aire like a newbie, then it's a much less meaningful experience and the cert may give you a false sense of security (yes, captain, I can do deep dives because I have my AOW, pay no attention to the fact I'll blow through my tank in 15 minutes and only have 10 dives) AOW works best if you're already semi competent and with only 5 dives since you're OW certification, there's a pretty good chance you are not (unless you're the exception to the general rule), in my opinion.



EDIT.... just reread this long-winded post. In summary: my advice is to master the skills you've learned before moving to training for more advanced skills