AOW??

[Scubling]

My dad and I are thinking about getting Advanced Open Water certified.Im 13 so I would be Jr. and I was wondering what did you think was the hardest in the book and in the water.This would help lots!

[fire diver]

Since you are just starting our in Scuba, I think that AOW is a great idea. There are a lot of options to take with this class. Depending on the instructor, you may get to choose which ones you take.

I would say that NAV is probably the hardest in-water because it task-loads you with several things at the same time. It's not impossible, just requires you to do several things at the same time. It's also a GREAT class to have, you will learn a lot form it.

[MSilvia]

It's not really a very challenging course in my opinion. It gives you some great exposure to new kinds of dives, but they aren't really difficult. I agree that nav is probably the hardest part, and using a compass really isn't that tricky.

[rayaa3]

I don't know which agency you are planning on using - PADI doesn't have a very challenging course - a little bit of book work and skill checks (read and answer questions) - most of the focut of my AOW was on the dives...it's quite a bit of fun...the 'hardest' part was the navigation dive (compass work) however, it wasn't really hard...it was the only dive where we had any real 'chores' to do. Still - it was fun.

have a blast. Ray

[PTAaron]

I haven't done it yet - but talking with our instructor it sounds like it will be a lot of fun.
Navigating and doing patterns looks the most difficult just reading it in the book - but I used to do orienteering stuff on land so I don't think it will be bad.

Our also instructor mentioned practicing using a lift bag to send up objects and to reposition them which sounds like something that would be pretty useful!

[Sansho]

AOW is a great class to get dive time in with an instructor, typically in very small classes. It's perhaps not the most rigorous, but you can learn something and have fun doing it. I did AOW not long after completing OW, and I appreciated 5 more dives with an instructor.

[underh2o]

don't fear the monsters.Monster are thing that you are afraid of practice them and make them useful.. Some peoples monsters are compasses so after their training they don't use them again. Some are hoods so they won't wear one. Some are clearing a mask so they never practice. I just finished my UCI (underwater criminal investigator). we practiced alot of all things. when you get good at them there really isn't a problem or being hard to do. so practice, practice and prctice some more. we did compass on land fro several hours before hitting the water for it. but, AOW is a great oppurtunity fro some neat classes to take and learn.

[navyhmc]

Don't sweat the AOW. Think of it as a course to enhance the skills you learned in OW and to add more tools to your tool box. More navigation, a bit deeper, more info on gas management and exposure to some of the specialties such as deep, DPV, dry suit, etc. It will help you see what areas you need a little work on and what areas you definitely want to get into. Have fun, that's the most important thing.

[Scubling]

Yes if we do decide to do the AoW it will be with PADI

[Scubling]

And Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like lots of fun!