Advanced Open Water Diver

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Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) is a recreational scuba diving certification level provided by several diver training agencies. Agencies offering this level of training under this title include Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), and Scuba Schools International (SSI). Other agencies offer similar training under different titles. Advanced Open Water Diver is one step up from entry level certification as a beginner autonomous scuba diver. A major difference between Autonomous diver equivalent Open Water Diver (OWD) certification and AOWD is that the depth limit is increased from 18 to 30 metres (60 to 100 ft).

Contents

Prerequisite certification level for AOWD training is OWD or a recognized equivalent (ISO 24801-2 [1] ). Certification requirements for AOWD includes theory learning and assessment, practical training and assessment, and a minimum requirement for number of logged dives, that varies between agencies. SSI requires 24 logged dives. [2] PADI requires 5 dives on course, and the prerequisite is OWD which requires 4 open water dives. No additional logged dives are specified. [3] [4]

Scuba diving education levels as used by ISO, PADI, CMAS, SSI and NAUI Scuba education levels.svg
Scuba diving education levels as used by ISO, PADI, CMAS, SSI and NAUI

Equivalent certification

The equivalent course offered by National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is the Advanced Scuba Diver. As a second level qualification, the AOWD certification level is aimed somewhere between the CMAS* Diver and CMAS** Diver qualifications, or between the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) Ocean Diver and Sports Diver qualifications, although some differences occur. For example, BSAC Ocean Divers are trained in basic rescue skills for recreational diving, but only need five open water dives to qualify. [5] Scuba Diving International (SDI) and SSI both offer an Advanced Adventure Diver course similar to the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver courses. [6] [7]

The World Underwater Federation, CMAS, recognizes four main levels of dive education indicated by a one star, two star, three star, or four star designation. One star indicates an ability to dive in the company of an experienced diver, two star indicates additional skills and the ability to dive with a diver of the same grade, three star indicates the additional skill in leading a group of divers of any grade in open water. Four star diver is an award issued by a national technical committee to a diver competent to use divers and diving in order to achieve major tasks or project objectives. [8]

Purpose

The whole PADI training system. PADI-Ausbildungssystem.svg
The whole PADI training system.

The AOWD is the second level qualification offered by several diving agencies following the American ANSI standard. At the first level, Open Water Diver, divers gain basic knowledge of skills, equipment and theory for diving to a recommended depth of about 18 metres (60 ft). [4] The AOWD is described by PADI as refining these skills, allowing the diver to explore a broader variety of diving to a maximum depth of 30 metres (100 ft). [9] Prior to starting an AOWD course, some organizations have prerequisites for a particular number of logged dives.[ citation needed ] The course usually contains some mandatory dives and knowledge while another portion of the course consists of free elective topics such as drift diving or search and recovery. [3]

Certification standards

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course requires a single instance of an Underwater navigation and a Deep diving activity as well as a single instance of three of the remaining topics from a list of approximately 18 possible specialties. [10]

Until 1998, night diving was also mandatory, but this is no longer the case. It was dropped at the request of the Scandinavian countries, for whom there is almost no night during the summer months when most of the diving is done, as it created an unreasonable restriction on certifying advanced divers (which is a prerequisite for further training). Most other countries still recommend the night diver course. [11]

According to PADI, the Advanced Open Water Diver course is for divers who want to gain more underwater experience while diving with a PADI Professional, or have fun learning new things. In addition to logging more dives, the student can improve skills learned during their open water diver course, such as navigation and buoyancy. [12]

The SSI Advanced Open Water program requires training and diving experience. To be certified as a SSI AOWD one needs to have completed four specialty courses and minimum of 24 logged dives. [2] In the absence of a logged dives requirement, it is possible to become certified as AOW with some other agencies while having less than 10 lifetime dives. [3] [4]

Issues

The name of this specific training level has been a topic of controversy within the diving community for many years.[ citation needed ] The crux of this debate is in the interpretation of the word 'Advanced' in its title, and what is the proper application or use of this adjective.

Those organisations offering training and certification under the title Advanced Open Water Diver defend the use of the word Advanced, claiming that it describes the training accurately as being more comprehensive (i.e., more advanced) than the basic entry-level training.

The opposing school of thought is that the use of the word 'Advanced' is essentially deceptive marketing, as graduates of the class very commonly then refer to themselves as "Advanced Divers". However, the training standards are not sufficient to raise a recreational diver (particularly the novice diver to whom the class is frequently marketed) to traditional expectations of general recreational diving skill mastery.[ clarification needed ] This is relevant because in the USA the diving community continues to equate 'advanced' with 'expert.' As such, while it is agreed that the training is indeed more than the minimum basic requirement, it is insufficient to develop an objectively advanced (i.e., expert [13] ) diver.[ citation needed ]

Specifically with regard to the PADI 'Advanced' certification standard, a 2006 coroner's court in the United Kingdom heard expert evidence to the effect that "I do not believe that someone with eight dives should be classified as an advanced diver. It is madness." [14]

A related matter is NAUI's name changes from "Open Water II" to "Advanced Scuba Diver." NAUI's program was, at the time, a 38 hr. Open Water I course, followed by a six dive Open Water II course (aka "Sport Diver"), followed by the third course in the sequence, "Advanced Diver." At the time, PADI had a similar progression. Then, PADI eliminated its upper level course (Advanced Open Water Diver) and repurposed the title for its middle course to gain a competitive advantage. NAUI followed suit, in an unsuccessful attempt to maintain market share.[ citation needed ] Publicly, NAUI claimed that this change was intended to address customer confusion as to the comparative rigors of training required to earn specific certifications. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professional Association of Diving Instructors</span> Recreational diver training and certification agency

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is a recreational diving membership and diver training organization founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson. PADI courses range from entry level to advanced recreational diver certification. Further, they provide several diving skills courses connected with specific equipment or conditions, some diving related informational courses and a range of recreational diving instructor certifications. They also offer various technical diving courses. As of 2020, PADI claims to have issued 28 million scuba certifications. The levels are not specified and may include minor specialisations. Some of the certifications align with WRSTC and ISO standards, and these are recognised worldwide. Some other certification is unique to PADI and has no equivalence anywhere, or may be part of other agencies' standards for certification for more general diving skill levels.

A divemaster (DM) is a role that includes organising and leading recreational dives, particularly in a professional capacity, and is a qualification used in many parts of the world in recreational scuba diving for a diver who has supervisory responsibility for a group of divers and as a dive guide. As well as being a generic term, 'Divemaster' is the title of the first professional rating of many training agencies, such as PADI, SSI, SDI, NASE, except NAUI, which rates a NAUI Divemaster under a NAUI Instructor but above a NAUI Assistant Instructor. The divemaster certification is generally equivalent to the requirements of ISO 24801-3 Dive Leader.

The National Association of Underwater Instructors is a nonprofit association of scuba instructors founded in 1960 by Albert Tillman and Neal Hess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recreational diver training</span> Training process for people who do not dive at work

Recreational diver training is the process of developing knowledge and understanding of the basic principles, and the skills and procedures for the use of scuba equipment so that the diver is able to dive for recreational purposes with acceptable risk using the type of equipment and in similar conditions to those experienced during training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recreational diving</span> Diving for the purpose of leisure and enjoyment, usually when using scuba equipment

Recreational diving or sport diving is diving for the purpose of leisure and enjoyment, usually when using scuba equipment. The term "recreational diving" may also be used in contradistinction to "technical diving", a more demanding aspect of recreational diving which requires more training and experience to develop the competence to reliably manage more complex equipment in the more hazardous conditions associated with the disciplines. Breath-hold diving for recreation also fits into the broader scope of the term, but this article covers the commonly used meaning of scuba diving for recreational purposes, where the diver is not constrained from making a direct near-vertical ascent to the surface at any point during the dive, and risk is considered low.

Scuba Schools International (SSI) is a for-profit organization that teaches the skills involved in scuba diving and freediving, and supports dive businesses and resorts. SSI has over 3,500 authorized dealers, 35 regional centers, and offices all over the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israeli Diving Federation</span> Israeli recreational diver training and certification agency

The Israeli Diving Federation (TIDF) is a non-governmental SCUBA diving training organization based in Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scuba Diving International</span> Recreational diver training and certification agency

Scuba Diving International (SDI) is a Scuba training and certification agency. It is the recreational arm of Technical Diving International, a technical diver training organization.

The World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) was founded in 1999 and is dedicated to creating minimum recreational diving training standards for the various recreational scuba diving certification agencies across the world. The WRSTC restricts its membership to national or regional councils. These councils consist of individual training organizations who collectively represent at least 50% of the annual diver certifications in the member council's country or region. A national council is referred to as a RSTC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rescue Diver</span> Recreational scuba certification emphasising emergency response and diver rescue

Rescue Diver is a scuba diving certification level provided by several diver training agencies, such as PADI, SSI, SDI, and NAUI, which emphasises emergency response and diver rescue.

Master Scuba Diver (MSD) is a scuba diving certification or recognition level offered by several North American diver training agencies, such as the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Scuba Diving International (SDI), and Scuba Schools International (SSI). Other agencies offer similar programs under other names, such as "Elite Diver". Each of these agencies touts their program at this level as the highest, non-leadership program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques</span> International organisation for underwater activities

The World Underwater Federation orCMAS is an international federation that represents underwater activities in underwater sport and underwater sciences, and oversees an international system of recreational snorkel and scuba diver training and recognition. It is also known by its Spanish name, Confederación Mundial De Actividades Subacuáticas. Its foundation in Monaco during January 1959 makes it one of the world's oldest underwater diving organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Open Water Diver</span> Entry-level autonomous diver certification for recreational scuba diving

Open Water Diver (OWD) is an entry-level autonomous diver certification for recreational scuba diving. Although different agencies use different names, similar entry-level courses are offered by all recreational diving agencies and consist of a combination of knowledge development (theory), confined water dives and open water dives (experience) suitable to allow the diver to dive on open circuit scuba, in open water to a limited depth and in conditions similar to those in which the diver has been trained or later gained appropriate experience, to an acceptable level of safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diving instructor</span> Person who trains and assesses underwater divers

A diving instructor is a person who trains, and usually also assesses competence, of underwater divers. This includes freedivers, recreational divers including the subcategory technical divers, and professional divers which includes military, commercial, public safety and scientific divers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autonomous diver</span> International minimum standard for entry level recreational scuba diver certification

Autonomous diver is an international minimum standard for entry-level recreational scuba diver certification. It describes the minimum requirements for basic training and certification for recreational scuba divers in international standard ISO 24801-2 and the equivalent European Standard EN 14153-2. Various organizations offer training that meets the requirements of the Autonomous Diver standard. A certification which corresponds to Autonomous Diver allows for independent diving with a dive buddy in open water. Most training organizations do not recommend exceeding a depth of 18 or 20 meters at this level of certification. After completion of this certification the training can be extended to a dive leader to ISO 24801-3 or an intermediate not defined by international standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supervised diver</span> Minimum requirements for a recreational diver to dive in open water under direct supervision

Supervised diver specifies the training and certification for recreational scuba divers in international standard ISO 24801-1 and the equivalent European Standard EN 14153-1. Various diving organizations offer diving training that meets the requirements of the Supervised Diver. A diving certification which corresponds to the Supervised Diver allows for recreational diving under the direct supervision of a divemaster or recreational diving instructor in open water. Most diving organizations recommend not to exceed a diving depth of 10 to 12 metres. After the successful completion of a training equivalent to the Supervised diver, training can be extended to the Autonomous diver certification level.

Dive leader is the title of an internationally recognised recreational diving certification. The training standard describes the minimum requirements for dive leader training and certification for recreational scuba divers in international standard ISO 24801-3 and the equivalent European Standard EN 14153-3. Various organizations offer training that meets the requirements of the dive leader standard. Some agencies use the title "Dive Leader" for their equivalent certification, but several other titles are also used, "Divemaster" may be the most widespread, but "Dive Supervisor" is also used, and should not be confused with the very different status and responsibilities of a professional diving supervisor. CMAS affiliates certifications which meet the requirements of CMAS 3-star diver should meet the standard by default. The occupation of a dive leader is also known as "dive guide", and is a specialist application of a "tour guide".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Introductory diving</span> Non-certification scuba diving experience

Introductory diving, also known as introductory scuba experience, trial diving and resort diving are dives where people without diver training or certification can experience scuba diving under the guidance of a recreational diving instructor. Introductory diving is an opportunity for interested people to find out by practical experience at a relatively low cost if they would be interested in greater involvement in scuba diving. For scuba instructors and diving schools is it an opportunity to acquire new customers. An introductory diving experience is much less time-consuming and costly than the completion of autonomous diver training, but has little lasting value, as it is an experience program only, for which no certification is issued. Introductory scuba diving experiences are intended to introduce people to recreational diving, and increase the potential client base of dive shops to include people who do not have the time or inclination to complete an entry-level certification program.

Recreational diver course referral is a system intended to facilitate completion of training for open water recreational scuba diving students who intend to do their training dives at a place different from the venue for the theory and confined water training. Referral systems within a specific training agency were the original format, but as more universally recognised training standard such as those of the recreational Scuba Training Council, and more recently the ISO and EUF standards have been adopted by most training agencies, it has become possible to expand the system to function across agencies. Referrals within a certification agency are relatively uncontroversial as the agency training standards are expected to be fairly uniform. Cross-agency referrals can occasionally raise problems where the standards differ significantly, as the instructor completing the training may not be entirely familiar with the relevant s requirements.

Recreational scuba certification levels are the levels of skill represented by recreational scuba certification. Each certification level is associated with a specific training standard published by the certification agency, and a training programme associated with the standard., though in some cases recognition of prior learning can apply. These levels of skill can be categorised in several ways:

References

  1. ↑ "ISO 24801-2". Archived from the original on 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  2. 1 2 "SSI Scuba Schools International". www.divessi.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  3. 1 2 3 "PADI Advanced courses: Advanced Open Water Diver". www.thediveacademysamui.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "PADI Courses for beginners: Open Water Diver". www.thediveacademysamui.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "Summarised contents of Ocean Diver training programme" (PDF). British Sub-Aqua Club. February 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "SDI Advanced Adventure Diver". Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  7. ↑ "Earn your SSI Advanced certification – Start with SSI today". Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  8. ↑ dernp. "Definitions of Diver and Instructor". Standards & Requirements Diver and Instructor (Version 2002/00) (PDF). Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  9. ↑ "What's the Difference Between PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water?". 12 August 2015. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "PADI Specialty Diver Courses - PADI". Archived from the original on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  11. ↑ "Bulletin PADI Q2 1998 p.2". www2.padi.com. Archived from the original on 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  12. ↑ "Mythbusting the PADI Advanced Open Water Course". Archived from the original on 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  13. ↑ "Master.........Really?". ScubaBoard. Archived from the original on 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  14. ↑ McGrath, Ginny (August 9, 2006). "PADI scuba-dive course slammed". The Times . London. Retrieved 2009-07-07.[ dead link ]
  15. ↑ 1995 NAUI instructor Archived 2012-11-04 at the Wayback Machine reporting on NAUI course name change
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