Padi Aow

[Okc_diver]

I did the S&R as part of my AOW Oct. 2008, and back in Aug. I was asked by my dive buddy to help him find a bag of weights he put in around 20 feet for the dive flag. It would have been an easy find if the foam for the flag was still there but it was not secured and it floated away and the flag sunk. Took about 10 minutes to find. So I think S&R is good to take even if it is just for the experience...you never know when you might need it.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by inventor

The folks I dive with seem to search for something about every third dive or so. Lost masks, compass, reel, etc. One guy actually used a search grid to find his compass. So I think the S&R dive is usefull, even needed, and should probably be required.

Some of the basics of S&R can also be useful for finding a BUDDY (or other lost diver) in a low-vis situation. Something to consider.

[inventor]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Some of the basics of S&R can also be useful for finding a BUDDY (or other lost diver) in a low-vis situation. Something to consider.

Never occurred to me that I might need S&R to find dive buddy. Have already had several occasions in which silt erased vis to zero. On one occasion at an eco-dive, my dive buddy and the dad of a father son team with us, had identical builds. I lost track of my dive buddy in the silt, and it actually wound up that I went with the dad, and the son partnered with my dive buddy. We didn't know until we were in clear water again. On the three times I've lost the buddy,the only options that occurred to me were, quick look around and surfacing. Wow, drives home the newb and always learning parts.

[rmkrause]

Thanks for all the explanations - it makes a lot more sense now.

[rednose83]

OKay we've decided on our 5 adventure dives. They will be Nav, deep (required) and ppb, s&r, and drift. Thanks everyone I'm really looking forward to my class now!

[rednose83]

Yay! All my homework is done now! My class starts this Wednesday. Looking forward to it!

[rednose83]

Ugh....so not looking forward to my AOW class tomorrow now. My nice vis spring dive just got scrapped for a yucky mudhole. Not thrilled.

[rednose83]

Yay! I completed my AOW course yesterday!

We did dives 1 and 2 (Deep and Peak) at Hospital Hole. Went to 90 feet for the deep dive. Vis was about 40 ft. Our second dive was about 61 feet for a little swim around after finishing the peak skills.

Today we did dives 3,4 and 5 at Crystal Springs (where they get Zephyrhills. Water). We did Navigation, Search and recovery and a fun dive (our fifth adventure dive) was boat diving. We were supposed to do a drift as our fifth but decided to join a group dive at the site this weekend instead.

I learned a lot in the course and feel much more comfortable with diving now. I can't wait for our Cozumel dives next month!

[scubadiver888]

Congratulations rednose,

Now you can start thinking about Nitrox certification. First thing, get to a point where you have plenty of air left but are approaching NDLs (no deco limits). If you run out of air before NDL there is no huge need for Nitrox. If you are reaching NDL limits with plenty of air left then Nitrox will give you more time in the water.

[rednose83]

Originally Posted by scubadiver888

Congratulations rednose,

Now you can start thinking about Nitrox certification. First thing, get to a point where you have plenty of air left but are approaching NDLs (no deco limits). If you run out of air before NDL there is no huge need for Nitrox. If you are reaching NDL limits with plenty of air left then Nitrox will give you more time in the water.

Thanks.

My air consumption is actually pretty good. I didn't have to change out tanks on either day and had plenty of air left. I'm probably going to take Nitrox in the next month or so.