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If you are already a
certified diver this is this is the next step for you in order to
further your diving experience. The advance course is 5 dives two of
which are compulsory and three you choose yourself from a range of
options. You can choose to do your AOW |
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course in 2 or 3 days or on one
of our liveaboards. Most of the AOW dives are mainly practical so little
time is spent on academics. The course does not turn you in to an expert
but rather gives you a taste of several different types of diving. Below
you can read about the various types of dives both compulsory and
optional.
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Navigation - compulsory
During the Navigation dive you learn to use natural navigation aids as
well as the compass. The course takes you a bit further than the
navigation exercises you performed during your OW course. You learn to
navigate around objects and areas and find your way back to the boat.
You will calculate distance and speed in order to be able to estimate
not only in which direction you are swimming but also how far you have
come.
Deep dive – compulsory
This dive will definitely increase your options when diving. There are
many exciting divespots world wide which you can not dive as an OW diver
as your depth is limited to 18 metres. However, as an AOW diver you will
be certified to dive to the maximum recreational dive limit (40 metres).
There is no reason to dive deep just for the sake of it but the fact is
that there are several fantastic dive spots which mother nature has
decided to place deeper than 18 metres! During the AOW deep dive you and
your instructor will dive to 30 metres and do some skills and practical
tests in order to find out how you are affected by the increased depth
and nitrogen level.
Peak Performance Buoyancy
– optional
One of our personal favourites. You will be surprised to find how much
you can improve your diving during just one dive. It is more the rule
than the exception to find that you can take of one or more weights
after this dive. During the dive you will hover in different positions
while the instructor takes away and adds weights. You will notice how
much weight you can compensate for by just using you lungs and how much
more comfortable the dive becomes when using less weights. Once we find
your “ideal weight” we will practice swimming through loops at different
levels and positions regulating the level with no other aid than our own
lungs. We swim backwards and forwards through the loops, play various
games and you will definitely find out that it is possible to laugh when
using a regulator! A very useful and immensely enjoyable course.
Multilevel – voluntary
During this dive you learn to plan your dive using the wheel. As
compared to the RDP (the recreational dive planner) the wheel allows for
longer bottom times without jeopardising your safety. Another very
useful dive as you will also get an insight into how modern dive
computers calculate bottom time.
Underwater photographer –
optional
During this dive you will learn to take photographs under water. We will
direct you and provide a few easy tips and then it is up to you to find
the technique, light and distance required to take good underwater
pictures. We provide an uncomplicated underwater camera and you buy the
film. Over and above you new experience you will also have some
underwater photos to take back home. If you decide to do the underwater
photography we strongly recommend that you do the peak performance dive
first as reasonable buoyancy is a prerequisite for good pictures.
Search and recovery –
optional
During this dive you learn how to locate and salvage various sized
objects from under the surface. Search patterns and techniques are
practised using various lifting devices such as a lift bag or an extra
BCD. You will be surprised to find how easy it is to lift even very
heavy object by using the right technique.
Naturaliste dive -
optional
The classical question when we mention this dive is ”Diving in the
nude???” Even if there is no set dress code for diving do not worry, we
keep our wetsuits on! During this dive we learn to identify fish and
coral. Once you start doing this you will find that your diving is
enhanced by one more dimension. It is great fun being able to identify
some of the abundance of things you are likely to encounter under the
surface.
Night
dive– optional
At night the marine life changes drastically. Manu species which are out
of sight and asleep or hiding during the day come out to feed and the
underwater hunt is on once the sun has set. As we dive with strong
torches the colours are magnificent.
Unfortunately the only time we can offer night
dive is in combination with our two day trips.
Other optional dives
Apart from the dives mentioned above there are several other optional
dives. Have a look at PADI own website for a complete list of options.
We can do most dives but for obvious reasons our possibilities to do dry
suit and ice dives are somewhat limited!
The prerequisites to do the AOW course is that you have completed your
Open water course or corresponding. Many students choose to do the AOW
course in combination with the Open water course. |
