Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see any PADI bashing in this thread. The OP stated that he felt that the AOW class he was signed up for was going to be a "formality" to have access to some dives he wanted to do. I don't care what agency it's with, that's just wrong.WylerBear wrote:You know, I get a bit tired of this. I am a PADI Instructor and I like to think that when I teach a class, I impart a modicum of knowledge. As has been said many, many times on this board, it's the instructor, not the course or the agency that makes a difference. No doubt about it, Bob gives one of the best AOW classes around. But that isn't to say a diver wouldn't learn something from a PADI AOW. It would just be different.
I believe that "Advanced" Open Water is a misnomer for at least the PADI course in many ways. But it does expose a student to different environments and dive situations and allows the student to benefit from the experience and knowledge of an instructor. I don't know the OP, maybe a PADI AOW would be a waste of his time, but maybe not. I was a fairly new diver when I did my PADI AOW and I learned a lot. Might be different for others.
Just my 2 cents.
People provided some recommendations on for a few particular INSTRUCTORS (not agencies) that they believed would provide a better value for the OP's money. Peter's AOW course is a PADI course, while I haven't taken it, I've met some divers who have been through it, and from their skills and knowledge I have to assume it's superior to the standard "5 dives here's your card" AOW class that many people wind up with around here.
Why NOT recommend a course that you feel is a better value for someones time and money? What would your answer be to a potential student who asked why they should do AOW with you rather than PADI dive shop X down the street? My guess is it's the same argument for why people here are recommending Bob, Brian, Peter, or one of the other instructors on the board that we know delivers good return on class investment.
What I'm tired of is people coming out to dive at a weekly dive with 15 dives and a "rescue" card who never should have been let out of a pool. If given the opportunity to steer someone away from such a curriculum, I'm going to take it.
Just my 2psi.
Jake