What’s the Significance of “Advanced” in PADI AOW Certification?

Dear Undercurrent,

Back when I had just completed my Open Water I certification, our instructor told us that with just five more open water dives, we could obtain the Advanced Open Water certification. To me, that was absurd.

Here I was a rank beginner, and yet by doing only five more dives, I would be considered advanced? The only other certification I have ever obtained is for Nitrox. I now have 645 dives worldwide, and no one has ever refused to let me dive because I don't have the AOW certification.

At the same time, I have read several dive fatality reports in which the deceased diver had an AOW certification but a very small number of dives. In such cases, I wonder if over-confidence due to the "advanced" designation was a contributing factor.

To me, the fault lies with the certifying organizations. As I recall, at one time, there was an Open Water II certification. Something like that might be more appropriate for the second level of certification where the diver is not a beginner but still is not highly experienced. The designation "advanced" should apply only to divers with a significant level of experience (minimum of 100 dives, variety of conditions such as strong current, low viz, etc.?). Of course, the certifying organizations would not go for that because it would cut their profits, as few divers would go for the AOW if it had such stringent requirements.

I'm 74 but keep myself in good physical condition with rigorous exercise. It's depressing for me to see the poor physical condition of many younger divers today. In my opinion, there should also be a physical fitness requirement for diving, but of course, that would never fly. Again, no one has ever challenged me regarding a dive due to my age, but I suppose that might be coming one day.

- Greg White (Cobden, IL)

Undercurrent says: In the context of PADI certifications, 'Advanced' means 'advanced a little from the beginning'.