Taking my Padi AOW and Padi Deep Diver

[neogeo]

Taking my AOW May 9th and 10th then planning my Deep Diver class for June 6th and 7th! I'm excited to get in the water and get more classes and experience under my belt. What are everyone's thoughts on these classes?

[fisheater]

Any time you get the chance to dive under the guidance of an instructor, you should take it. To get the most out of it, choose your 5 dives for maximum personal challenge and relevance to your diving. Also, preread your course materials and ask LOTS of questions - even going beyond the strict course requirements. Get the most from your dives and instructor time.

Lots of folks will remind you that having AOL doesn't make you an "advanced" diver. They're right, but you'll have more formal training than most and if you practice what you've learned, you'll be well on your way to being an advanced diver.

[neogeo]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going through two different instructors on these. The AOW is through lds oronogo.com, but the deep diver is through a guy named Kevin Runkle of adventuresportskansas.com. I already schedules my AOW and I was recommended to Kevin from divingmedic.

Originally Posted by fisheater

Any time you get the chance to dive under the guidance of an instructor, you should take it. To get the most out of it, choose your 5 dives for maximum personal challenge and relevance to your diving. Also, preread your course materials and ask LOTS of questions - even going beyond the strict course requirements. Get the most from your dives and instructor time.

Lots of folks will remind you that having AOL doesn't make you an "advanced" diver. They're right, but you'll have more formal training than most and if you practice what you've learned, you'll be well on your way to being an advanced diver.

[crgjpg]

My wife and I just finished PADI Deep Diver Specialty. We had a great instructor and learned alot from her. It was great to have an experienced diver watch over us as we went progressively deeper. Our deepest was 130 feet and neither of us had any problem with narcosis.

[bennerman]

Good luck, sounds like fun

[Rileybri]

Just out of curiosity neo what are you going to be learning in your PADI Deep class that you will not get from your AOW??

[neogeo]

Well AOW certifies you to dive 60 to 100ft and Deep Diver certs you to 130ft... AOW is a prerequisite to Deep Diver.

[chicken]

If you take the NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver class it will certify you to 130 feet without the expense of a extra class.

[Rileybri]

Originally Posted by chicken

If you take the NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver class it will certify you to 130 feet without the expense of a extra class.

Well ya see that there is why I was confused as I am a NAUI OW and will be doing the NAUI AOW and was under the impression that it went to 130'. I am not sayingone is better than the other (I assume someone will though ) I am just only up on what NAUI offers. Thanks for clearing that up Chicken.

[chicken]

I'm not trying to start a debate over which agency is better, has more manly men, or is the only option. When I was looking at AOW training I discovered NAUI covered it one class for less money with similar standards. I couldn't understand why PADI makes it two classes and NAUI only one?

The best agency is the one with the best instructors. In my area they are either NAUI or SDI. I have seen some great PADI instructors in other places just not close to me.

I also have found the training is best when I study the materials before class and show up ready to learn. Have fun, dive deep, and dive often!