Advanced Open Water Diver course offered by SDI provides divers with the opportunity to expand their diving horizons, develop new skills, and experience the thrill of exploring different underwater environments, all under the guidance of experienced instructors committed to safety and education.Â
Prerequisite: To enroll in the Advanced Open Water Diver course, individuals must already be certified as Open Water Divers or have an equivalent certification from a recognized scuba diving agency. This ensures that participants have a basic understanding of scuba diving principles and skills.
Course Structure: The Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed to further develop divers' knowledge, skills, and confidence beyond the foundational level of open water certification. It typically consists of a combination of classroom sessions, practical skills training, and open water dives.
Specialty Dives: One of the key components of the Advanced Open Water Diver course is the completion of specialty dives. These dives focus on specific areas of interest or skill development and are chosen by the diver in consultation with their instructor. SDI offers a variety of specialty dive options, including:
Deep Diving: Explores depths beyond those typically reached in recreational diving, typically between 18 and 40 meters (60-130 feet).
Navigation: Enhances underwater navigation skills, including compass use and natural navigation techniques.
Night Diving: Introduces divers to the unique challenges and experiences of diving in low-light conditions.
Wreck Diving: Teaches divers how to safely explore and navigate wreck sites while respecting historical and environmental considerations.
Search and Recovery: Covers techniques for locating and recovering lost objects underwater.
Underwater Photography/Videography: Provides instruction on capturing stunning underwater images or video footage.
Adventure Dives: In addition to specialty dives, the Advanced Open Water Diver course typically includes several "Adventure Dives." These dives allow divers to gain experience in various diving environments and activities. While some Adventure Dives may be chosen from the list of specialty dives, others may include drift diving, boat diving, buoyancy control, and fish identification.
Certification: Upon successful completion of the required specialty dives and Adventure Dives, participants are eligible for Advanced Open Water Diver certification. This certification signifies a higher level of proficiency and experience in scuba diving, allowing divers to undertake more challenging dives and explore a wider range of underwater environments.
Continuing Education Opportunities: Advanced Open Water Diver certification opens the door to further training and specialization within the realm of scuba diving. Divers may choose to pursue additional specialty certifications or advanced training courses to deepen their knowledge and skills in specific areas of interest.