PADI is changing for you - changes in the program: PADI Advanced Diver

With the refreshment of the AOWD course some changes have been introduced, with which I assure you that you will find more convergence than differences. The modifications that have been made are useful, one could even say “ba” exciting. If you are an instructor then I will immediately answer the question that has built up in your mind – no, you will not have to drastically change how you have conducted your course so far, nor will you have to re-learn how to conduct this training.

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Since the AOWD course was last updated, a considerable amount of time has passed during which both the equipment and the training and diving techniques have changed. The new training focuses on reducing the differences between supervised dives, which are carried out during the course, and unsupervised dives, which are carried out after the training has been completed. The programme is geared towards building confidence in real dives, taking a conservative approach to diving practices and developing good decision making skills.

The course offers new opportunities, such as the Digital Imaging specialisation – a combination of the two existing specialisations of Underwater Photography and Videofilming. All other PADI specialisations are now linked to the AOWD programme. Up to now you have been able to conduct within the five dives of the AOWD program those dives which were listed in the Instructor’s Manual and for which there was material in the form of the book Advetures in Diving. Now, within the five AOWD dives you may conduct any first dive from any PADI specialty or PADI AWARE dive, even if it is not listed in the AOWD course materials.

In the first quarter of 2017, the training will be launched online on the new PADI eLearning® platform, which works well on various mobile devices like tablet, phone, laptop. In Q3 2017, an offline version will be launched, offering small size digital files for download to your mobile device. Q4 2017 is the expected date for the Polish translation of the materials.

Ok, then let’s move on to the specific benefits and features of the updated PADI AOWD programme.

Think like a diver: this is a new section that encourages, among other things through the course material, the development of thinking and decision-making skills when planning and executing conservative realistic dives. The aim is to build the diver more self-confident, which, for the student, will translate into more enjoyment in diving, more interest in diving, and, as a consequence, a lasting commitment to diving as a hobby in which the student feels comfortable and confident. The “Think like a diver” technique is applicable to all adventure dives within the PADI AOWD programme, but at the same time it does not increase the current number of dives.

2. updated manual: the contents of the manual introduce the student to the latest changes and are better linked to show the student the value of investing in their own equipment and their own diving education.

New opportunities for underwater adventures:

a. PADI Digital Imaging replaces underwater photography and videography as adventure diving, as today’s commonly used digital cameras offer both photo and video capabilities.

b. The new PADI Full Face Mask (FFM) and PADI Buoy (DSMB), have joined the standardized PADI specialties that you can now teach as part of your AOWD. PADI Rebreather Diver is also among the specializations you can teach, especially if it is not a technical rebreather, it can enhance and make your AOWD program offerings more attractive. Please note, the Instructor must be a certified PADI Instructor of the specialty in question to offer it as part of the AOWD package.

4. specialty affiliation: the first dive of any standardized PADI specialty, or PADI AWARE and PADI Rebreather Diver, may be offered as an adventure dive as part of the AOWD program and is credited towards that particular specialty – if the instructor is an instructor of that specialty – to promote continuing education and increase the student’s chances of obtaining the highest PADI Master Scuba Diver (MSD) rating.

5. Instructor Slates Update: Both the AOWD Instructor Slates and the AOWD Data Carrier, have been updated. The new Data Carrier slate now includes space to record information on the area of specialisation performed, making it more useful during training.

Content and purpose of the update: The content of the manual has been revised to reflect current practices and equipment, e.g. use of a computer rather than just a depth gauge as a reference point during the dive; adaptation to use of sidemount or rebreather configurations for appropriate dives; use of DSMB surface buoy in current diving. The changes are intended to support safety in diving, promote conservative practice and demonstrate the value of investment in equipment and training.

Maciej Jurasz
PADI Course Director
H2O Academy – Pletwal Poznan