From: goldstei@shrike.und.ac.za (Hilton Goldstein)
Subject: Replies to OW II course
Summary: Replies to OW II course
Keywords: scuba openwater
Organization: Univ. Natal, Durban, S. Africa
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 08:34:03 GMT


Hi,

In a recent request for information about the Open Water II course, I
received the following info.  I was certainly impressed by the time taken
by you guys, and am therefore posting this (summary) article for any
other people who might be interested...  Thank you to everyone who replied!

Hilly

============================================================================


From: "James B. Harold" <harold@wam.umd.edu>

I'd be interested in hearing what responses you get.  I have
my PADI OW, and I'm mulling over getting the Advanced
OW (basically equivalent, I gather, to the NAUI OWII).  As I 
understand it, in PADI AOW you do a "deep" dive, a
night dive, and some other things, some of which are
up to the instructor (navigation and altitude diving
come to mind).  Of course, contrary to PADI's party
line, nobody's going to stop you from doing these
things on your own, particularly if you're a reasonably
experienced diver.

>From what I've heard, possibly the biggest reason to
get PADI's AOW is that it's a prerequisite to the
other courses (like diver rescue).  I'm mostly considering
it because I'll be somewhere where I can get the course
for substantially less $$ (x0.5) then I could here, so
if I ever intend to take other courses, it might be
a good idea to save the money on AOW while I can...

Besides...the night diving sounds like fun :-)

============================================================================

From: Tom Dietrich <txd@mkt.3com.com>
e-mail txd@Able.MKT.3Com.COM   Ma Bell (408) 738-8301

>I have my Open Water I and am thinking about doing the
>Open Water II course.  Is it worth the money/time etc.?

Ayep.

>Also, for those of you who have done it, what is involved
>and is it fun etc...

Lots of fun... Our instructor slated 10 dives, 6 of which you had to
complete to get the OWII cert. We dove deep, rock entries, night,
generally more advanced sites. 
The biggest thing that it does is to allow you to get some experience
in some more advanced conditions with someone you can trust. Go for
it, what it boils down to is more diving. :{)

============================================================================

Todd Spindler                                  
TSpindler@rsmas.miami.edu                 RSMAS/MPO  University of Miami

Hi Hilly!

I'd recommend OW II as an excellent way to get some more experience and
training to add to your current experience level.  In OW I you have been
exposed to all of the complexities of dive table calculation, dive physics and
physiology, and just plain fiddling with the equipment.  OW II gives you a
chance to form durable safe-diving habits.  It also sidesteps the tough problem
of choosing a dive buddy until you've accomplished a few more dives.

The class work is pretty much the same as OW I except it reviews the previous
material and goes into some more depth on the subjects.  Pay close attention to
the instructor, as he/she will probably drop all sorts of hints on making your
diving a whole lot easier and comfortable.  The real classroom for OW II is in
the ocean, as it is mostly a practical class.  You will be introduced to deep
diving (60 - 100 ft generally) and night diving.  You will spend a lot of time
on diver rescue techniques (NAUI at least... I think PADI will as well).  And
perhaps best of all you will get to meet other divers as fascinated as you are
by the sport, and most will be looking for dive buddies as well...

Have a great time!

============================================================================

From: 
jerry johnson penn state
GGJ@PSUVM.PSU.EDU

yes it is worth it.....i did mine at the caymans and since then have
done night , deep, and wreck. it is good to go with instruxctor to have
help (and confidence). i am a teacher---the diffreence between the cost
of 3 or 4 dives without a guide and 3-4 course with a guide (and
getting cerified) is 30-40 $....i think as a teacher, i have learned
and feel much more confident now......

============================================================================

From: Chris Peterson <peterson@peterson.hpl.hp.com>

	From an instructor's point of view, the OW2 course
	is far more fun to teach, and is lots more fun for
	the divers than OW1.  You've done all the "work"
	in OW1; now OW2 is a chance to try out your new
	skills on your own and polish them up under some
	friendly supervision.  It's also an opportunity
	to dive some of the more fun spots that the OW1
	course couldn't cover.

	The OW1 students that continue directly into the
	subsequent OW2 course usually show enormous 
	improvement and tremendous gains in confidence.

	On a less "fun" note, the first ~10 dives after
	initial certification are a "high risk" period
	for divers.  Doing these dives with an instructor
	greatly reduces the chance of any misfortune.

============================================================================

Newsgroups: rec.scuba