Padi Aow

[rednose83]

What's a normal/average cost? Looking at the LDS, I see prices anywhere from $169 through $389 and the kicker is they both say all inclusive. What gives? Site fees maybe?

[nrembis]

Hard to say what each shop determines is all inclusive, around here AOW runs about 195 or so, does not include park fees or air/equipment rental if need be.

[rednose83]

That's what I was thinking. I wonder if by all inclusive the one shop means class materials and c-crad and the other shop means that plus site fees. It's to late to call now- so I'll have to try that in the AM.

[nrembis]

Yeah, could be alot of variance, one shop may do lake/shore dives another shop may do boat dives and is included in price.....don't know, you will just have to call and see

[ontheheap]

Yea, definitely give them a call in the AM and find out what's included. The more expensive place might actually end up being a better deal!

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by rednose83

What's a normal/average cost? Looking at the LDS, I see prices anywhere from $169 through $389 and the kicker is they both say all inclusive. What gives? Site fees maybe?

Things to look for:

- Equipment
- Cylinders
- Air fills
- Class materials (Adventures in Diving Manual for PADI)
- Site/boat fees
- C-card

What you need might make a difference. I have all my equipment, so a course which costs more but includes equipment wouldn't make sense for me.

The other MOST important thing is the instructor. I'm taking my DM right now. One of the other DM Candidates got his training from another shop. The other shop charges less for their courses. However, the amount of stuff this other DMC does not know is amazing. I didn't talk to him about his AOW training but we got talking about Rescue Diver and he admits he wishes he had gotten the training from my LDS. He was telling me things like, he retrieved cinder blocks from the lake to simulate rescuing a victim. Totally different experience working with real people.

Not only what and how they teach but what is the instructor's background. The person who teaches Emergency First Response is a person with decades of EMS experience who trains Fire Department staff on EMS.

The two people who did my AOW were the Course Director and IDC Staff Trainer. Is the cheaper shop giving you an OWSI with a lot less experience?

Bottom line, go to each shop and meet the person who will be training you. Even if they have more experience, their teaching style might not suit you.

[theduckguru]

Been shopping PADI AOW in the Keys and south Florida, about $375 which includes the 5 dives seems to be about the average without equipment rental.

[rednose83]

We are actually on our way out the door right now to find out what's the deal.

[Vlane]

Like others have said, it'll depend on the area. Somewhere like the Florida Keys can get away with charging more because diving is likely to be more popular there. On the other hand, in Arkansas where I live it's going to be cheaper since the diving is nothing like it is in Florida. That being said, I think AOW here is about $175 and if it's anything like my OW they will provide gear and tanks.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Vlane

Like others have said, it'll depend on the area. Somewhere like the Florida Keys can get away with charging more because diving is likely to be more popular there. On the other hand, in Arkansas where I live it's going to be cheaper since the diving is nothing like it is in Florida. That being said, I think AOW here is about $175 and if it's anything like my OW they will provide gear and tanks.

OTOH, places with lots of shops in competition with each other can sometimes cost less than places were there is little competition.

It simply varies by geographical region, and from shop to shop.