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#767
AOW wreck or multi-level diver
mattout142 - 8/26/2016 8:12 AM
Category: New Diver Q&A
Replies: 12

Im taking my first steps towards my AOW next month. Im doing Nav. and deep (because its require) and my instructors is recommending buoyancy and night diver, which Im excited about. Now I need one more and he gave me the choice of wreck or multi level.. Im leaning towards wreck because the beginning of the year I would like to do some type of live aboard such as Black Beards etc.
Any recommendations on wreck vs. multi level? In my opinion I would like to do them all but thats not possible right now. lol

thanks
matt
#8590
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dalehall - 8/26/2016 9:11 AM
You are only going to get the basics from any of the AOW dives you take. You won’t be "wreck certified" or anything like that. So, with that, just take whichever one piques your interest more. Diving is all about learning, so learn what you want to learn. If you are going to try and do a liveaboard in the near future, I would highly suggest, if you don’t have it already, to get NITROX certified. You don’t need any other specialty rating to do that type of dive (night, boat, drift, etc) however, you do have to be EAN certified to dive NITROX; and on a liveaboard, NITROX will help you get a few more dives in if you do it right. Unfortunately, EAN cert does not count for AOW, so you’re on your own for that one. Good luck with your AOW..
#20387
LatitudeAdjustment - 8/26/2016 9:41 AM
It sounds like you are making the right choices for your AOW.

As for EAN/nitrox check with the liveaboard, some and I’m not sure about Blackbeards have you do the book work before the trip and take the test when you arrive onboard so you can use nitrox on the 1st dive. With most liveaboards you are doing 4 or 5 dives a day and if you are not using nitrox you will be running out of bottom time on air tables
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JohnDiver123 - 8/26/2016 10:03 AM
I would say Wreck and then go for some specialities to go deeper in an area you have interest in. I am finishing up AOW next month and I did night, wreck and will do search and recovery to finish. Keep me posted on the live aboard. I might join you!
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JohnDiver123 - 8/26/2016 10:05 AM
Also agree on the Enriched Air. It’s good to have. Do that next after your AOW. I did the theory part just need to get with my instructor to go over the homework and learn how to use the test equipment to double check the contents of the cylinder.

Thinking of heading to Dutch on Sat 9/3 if I can swing it.
#767
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mattout142 - 8/26/2016 10:34 AM
Thanks for all the tips. Nitrox is certainly on my list of courses to complete. I don’t know if I will fit Nitrox in before the end of the season tho. Its getting short! I thinking I’m leaning toward wreck. Although multi-level and working with the dive table/computer is certainly a weak point for me But, all in time I guess.
John I have the 3rd and 4th weeks off in January check your schedule maybe we can get together for some salt water dives.
#20281
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Smithsgold - 8/27/2016 12:01 PM
which ever one you do remember to enjoy yourself !!!! Best of luck
#2635
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John_giu - 9/03/2016 9:01 AM
NITROX!
#203
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alonderick - 6/28/2017 6:36 PM
Congrats on you AOW. Rescue was my favorite training. I would honestly take this class just for enjoyment. It also makes you much more aware of those around you and whats going on with them.
#86
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CharlesGraves - 6/20/2018 2:52 AM
Oh and when in wrecks, don’t touch anything sharp, carefully make sure you know what’s above you (don’t bump your head, you can knock yourself out). A helmet or a 5mm hood will go a long way towards basic head protection but really... be careful. And don’t touch anything that could hurt you.

Lastly get reallyyyy good at frog kicks and buoyancy bcuz just like in a cave, you can stir up silt. This can make it hard to escape, even with a reel/line