PADI Advanced Open Water Diver¶
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) course is the next step after the Open Water Diver certification. It is designed for divers who want to expand their diving skills and knowledge. The AOWD course allows you to explore new diving environments and activities, such as deep diving up to 30 meters / 100 feet, night diving, wreck diving, and underwater navigation.
This certification does not expire, and it is recognized worldwide!
Prerequisites¶
- minimum 12 years old
- PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent)
- Medical clearance (if necessary)
What medical qualifications I must meet?
Diving standards define health criteria that you must meet.
If you will answer YES to any of those questions below, a medical evaluation and a written doctors approval will be required! NO EXCEPTIONS!
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I have had problems with my lungs, breathing, heart and/or blood affecting my normal physical or mental performance.
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I am over 45 years of age.
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I struggle to perform moderate exercise (for example, walk 1.6 kilometer/one mile in 14 minutes or swim 200 meters/yards without resting), OR I have been unable to participate in a normal physical activity due to fitness or health reasons within the past 12 months.
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I have had problems with my eyes, ears, or nasal passages/sinuses.
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I have had surgery within the last 12 months, OR I have ongoing problems related to past surgery.
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I have lost consciousness, had migraine headaches, seizures, stroke, significant head injury, or suffer from persistent neurologic injury or disease.
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I am currently undergoing treatment (or have required treatment within the last five years) for psychological problems, personality disorder, panic attacks, or an addiction to drugs or alcohol; or, I have been diagnosed with a learning or developmental disability.
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I have had back problems, hernia, ulcers, or diabetes.
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I have had stomach or intestine problems, including recent diarrhea.
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I am taking prescription medications (with the exception of birth control or anti-malarial drugs other than mefloquine (Lariam).
If you answered NO to all 10 questions above, a medical evaluation is not required.
If you answered YES to questions 3, 5 or 10 above OR to any of the questions on page 2, please read and agree to the statement below by signing and dating it AND take all three pages of this form (Participant Questionnaire and the Physician’s Evaluation Form) to your physician for a medical evaluation. Participation in a diving course requires your physician’s approval.
https://www.aatc.pl/diving/pdf/diver-medical-form.pdf
Make sure you comply (or have written approval from a doctor) before making your travel itinerary. There will not be any exceptions!
What documents and forms I need to sign?
At the beginning of the course (and before any in-water activities), student divers must sign:
- Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding
- Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk/Non-agency Acknowledgment Form
- Diver Medical Form
Each course may have additional forms to sign. Your Instructor will provide you with all the necessary forms and explain them to you.
Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes. To complete your course and be certified, you must successfully complete a non-stop swim for 300 meters.
Note, that you don't have to be a strong swimmer to complete this requirement. You can swim at a slow pace, and you can take breaks as needed, but you must complete the swim without stopping, getting out of the water, or holding onto a flotation device.
Do I need an insurance?
No, but we highly recommend.
During the course you will be covered by the insurance of the your instructor. Also you will be diving in a controlled environment with a highly experienced professional. Although we take every precaution to ensure your safety, accidents can happen, and having insurance can provide you with peace of mind and financial protection in case of an emergency.
We recommend DAN Europe Insurance, which covers decompression sickness, hyperbaric chamber treatment, and other diving-related accidents. This is especially important if you plan to continue diving after the course, as it provides coverage for recreational diving activities and travel.
More information about DAN Pro insurance: here
Do I need any scuba diving equipment?
No. You don't need any equipment at all! We will provide everything you need.
Over time, especially when you start diving more advanced courses, you may want to get your own equipment. This is what we suggest:
- Dive computer
- Mask
- Fins
- Wet suit or dry suit
- BCD
- Regulators
- Primary and secondary light
Organization¶
The course consists of three main components:
- knowledge development (elearning),
- one deep dive (between 18 and 30 meters),
- one navigation dive (using a compass and natural navigation techniques),
- three elective dives (choose from a list of options)
Mind, that for junior divers (12-14 years old) the maximum depth limit is 21 meters / 70 feet, and they are not allowed to do night dives. After they turn 15 years old, their limits will be increased automatically to 30 meters / 100 feet and they will be able to do night dives.
Possible elective dives (subject to local availability):
- Boat diving
- Diver Propulsion Vehicle diving
- Drift diving
- Dry Suit diving
- Enriched Air (nitrox) diving
- Night diving
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Search and Recovery
- Underwater Photography
- Wreck diving
Application¶
If you are interested in participation, please email us at: info@astronaut.center
We will provide you with further details and guide you through the enrollment process. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on an incredible diving journey!