Whether you have just completed your PADI Open Water Diver Course or you already have a number of dives under your belt – the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course should be your next step. The AOW as we like to call it is open to all those aged 12 years or older and possess a PADI Open Water Diver certification or similar from another diving agency.

What is the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course?

The Advanced Open Water Diver Course represents a big taster session of some of the great PADI Specialities on offer. Each dive on the AOW course represents the first dive on the associated speciality. e.g. The PADI Deep Diver Speciality has 4 dives on the course. On the AOW you will complete the first dive from this speciality. Meaning you would only need to do the 3 remaining dives in the future to get the PADI Deep Diver Speciality.

It will further your experience and take your training to the next level. You will become qualified to dive to 30 metres and you will have the opportunity to spend some quality time with your instructor, gaining insights into different aspects of diving. There are no classroom or pool sessions, however, you will need to read the corresponding sections of your PADI Adventures in Diving Manual and do the knowledge reviews for your chosen dives.

What dives am I going to do on my AOW Course?

The PADI Advanced Open Water Course consists of 5 dives, of which you will complete the Deep dive to a maximum of 30 metres, the Navigation dive learning to use an underwater compass and Peak Performance Buoyancy dive, giving you new skills to better and improve your buoyancy and air consumption. You can then choose 2 more dives from the options below:

• DPV (Divers Propulsion Vehicle): Move James Bond style and get a very different perspective of your dive site.
• Search and Recovery: Learn how to find things using different procedures and search techniques. Will improve your overall orientation skills underwater too.
• Naturalist: Learn how to interact responsibly with flora and fauna. Get to know the underwater world learning about ecology and ecosystems.
• Boat diver: Get to learn some Boat terminology, Boat diving Procedures, how to locate Safety and Emergency equipment and consider the differences between shore and boat diving.
• Fish ID: Learn to identify certain characteristics that let you categorize each fish.
• Night Diver: It’s a whole new world down there. You think you know this divesite? You might be surprised at the difference!

The 5 dives can be done in as little as 1.5 days. Three dives on day one (09:00 till 17:00) and 2 dives on day 2 (09:00 till 14:00).

However, we are flexible in the scheduling of your dives and will take your preference into consideration, wherever possible. Just let us know how much time you can or would like to dedicate to this course, and we’ll get organised then.

So, Can I do it?

• PADI Open Water Diver or similar from another agency.
• 12 Years of age on day 1 of the course.
• In Spain, a medical certificate is required for certified divers wishing to dive or for students embarking on any scuba diving course that leads to a certification. You will need to have a letter or certificate endorsed by a doctor saying you are fit to dive. Information and a typical blank form can be downloaded here – Medical Certificate | Good to know

What do I get for my buck?

• PADI Adventures in Diving Manual
• 5 Dives
• All equipment hire for the duration of your course
• Insurance during the course
• Air fills
• Professional Team
• And once you successfully master all the skills etc. final certification.

What is not included?

• Cost of medical certificate
• Anything not mentioned above e.g. Map to the lost city of Atlantis
• Dive computer

What do I need to bring with me?

• Swimwear and if you have it a Pirates outfit.
• Towel. Pink, please.
• Single Malt Whiskey for the Instructor to keep him warm on colder nights.
• Manual, bring your PADI Academic material every day.
• The medical certificate or letter from your doctor.
• Packed lunch or funds to enjoy lunch at our preferred restaurant in S’Algar, the Pirata.
• Like all training courses, courses are paid for but certification is earned.

OK, so I have done that, what’s next?

At this stage in your scuba diving journey, I would say go out and have some fun. Dive as much as you can to gain valuable experience. Then you might consider a PADI Rescue Diver Course, which will teach you to observe and look after others.