The ocean is an incredible frontier, full of mystery and awe-inspiring beauty. If you’re already a certified diver, you know the thrill of the underwater world. But what if you could go deeper, stay longer, and push your boundaries further? That’s where the Advanced Open Water Certification (AOWC) comes in. This certification is your ticket to unlocking new dive adventures and enhancing your skills as a confident and capable diver.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into what the Advanced Open Water Certification entails, the benefits it brings, and why it’s the perfect next step for those eager to unleash their inner explorer.
What Is the Advanced Open Water Certification?
The Advanced Open Water Certification is the next level of scuba diving training after completing your Open Water Certification. While the name might make it sound intimidating, it’s actually designed to further your skills with hands-on learning, allowing you to grow as a diver through practical experiences.
The course itself is flexible and highly personalized. It doesn’t involve intense theory but focuses on building your confidence and experience through a series of five adventure dives. Each dive introduces new environments, challenges, and techniques that prepare you for a wider range of diving experiences.
The five adventure dives typically include two mandatory dives:
- Deep Diving – Dive to a depth of up to 30 meters (100 feet) and learn how to handle the physiological and environmental differences that occur when you go deeper.
- Underwater Navigation – Develop your navigation skills using a compass, natural landmarks, and your own intuition, so you never feel lost in the underwater world.
The other three dives are elective and can be tailored to your interests. Popular options include wreck diving, night diving, and drift diving, each offering its own unique challenges and thrills.
Why Get Advanced Open Water Certified?
There are a number of reasons to pursue your Advanced Open Water Certification, whether you’re an adventure-seeker, a hobbyist, or even someone aiming to become a professional diver. Here are some of the top benefits:
1. Gain More Confidence
The AOWC is designed to push your limits while giving you a safe space to grow. You’ll learn how to handle various dive scenarios, like navigating with reduced visibility or managing buoyancy in deeper water. Each dive increases your confidence, helping you feel at home no matter what the ocean throws at you.
2. Dive Deeper
The standard Open Water Certification only allows you to dive up to 18 meters (60 feet). With the Advanced Open Water Certification, you can dive up to 30 meters (100 feet). Many of the ocean’s most fascinating sights—think large shipwrecks, deep reef structures, and unusual marine life—exist at these deeper levels. Plus, it opens up opportunities to explore dive sites that are often restricted to more advanced divers.
3. Explore New Environments
One of the most exciting aspects of the Advanced Open Water course is the chance to explore new diving environments. From the eerie calm of a night dive to the exhilarating rush of drift diving, this certification introduces you to new underwater experiences that expand your horizons and make each dive feel like a fresh adventure.
4. Enhance Your Safety Skills
Learning to handle different dive conditions, such as stronger currents, deeper depths, and poor visibility, equips you with the knowledge and confidence to manage unexpected challenges. AOWC-certified divers are not only more adventurous but also safer divers. You’ll feel more prepared to handle issues that may arise, improving both your own safety and that of your dive buddies.
5. Meet New Dive Buddies
Going through your AOWC will introduce you to a community of like-minded divers who share your passion for exploring the depths. Whether you’re signing up for group adventure dives or pairing with a new dive buddy, this certification can help you build a network of friends who love the ocean as much as you do.
What Does the AOWC Involve?
Completing the Advanced Open Water Certification is simpler than you might think. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Prerequisites
To enroll in the AOWC, you need to be at least 12 years old and already hold an Open Water Certification. It’s also recommended that you have some recent dive experience, though this is often flexible depending on your dive school.
2. Choosing Your Adventure Dives
As mentioned earlier, you’ll complete five dives as part of the course. Two are mandatory (deep diving and navigation), and the other three are elective. Your choices should reflect your interests, whether it’s exploring wrecks, taking photos underwater, or diving at night.
3. Completing the Dives
The course typically takes two to three days, depending on how quickly you complete the dives. You’ll likely do one or two dives each day, focusing on mastering new skills and techniques. Each dive is supervised by an instructor, so you can ask questions and get instant feedback.
4. Certification and Beyond
Once you complete your five dives, congratulations—you’re officially certified! Now you’re ready to dive deeper and more confidently than ever before. Your certification is recognized globally, so wherever your underwater adventures take you, you’ll have the skills and credentials to make the most of every dive.
How to Prepare for Your Advanced Open Water Course
If you’re ready to take the plunge into AOWC, here are a few things to keep in mind before getting started:
- Stay Active in the Water: Make sure you’re diving regularly before the course to keep your skills sharp.
- Work on Your Buoyancy: Being able to control your buoyancy is key for many of the adventure dives, especially in deeper waters.
- Read Up on Your Elective Dives: Spend some time researching the elective dives you’re interested in. You can talk to your instructor for recommendations based on your location and dive conditions.
Ready to Get Going?
The Advanced Open Water Certification is a gateway to the unexplored corners of the underwater world. Whether you’re interested in exploring shipwrecks, diving deeper, or simply enhancing your skills, this certification is an essential next step in your scuba diving journey. So, unleash your inner explorer and discover a new side of the ocean. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Are you ready to start your adventure? Sign up for your Advanced Open Water Certification today and dive deeper into the world of possibilities.
