Should You Do Open Water + Advanced Open Water Together? Pros vs Cons Explained

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver is the second tier of scuba training — certifies you for up to 30 metres worldwide. 2–3 days, combining required and optional dives.

Required dives

• Deep Dive
• Underwater Navigation

Elective options

Peak Performance Buoyancy · Night · Drift · Wreck · Nitrox · Underwater Photography · Fish ID · Search & Recovery.

The 30 m deep dive is non-negotiable. Instructors may withhold certification if safety concerns arise.

Skill development

AOW expands OW foundations: additional underwater experience, specialised techniques, greater depths, navigation and buoyancy mastery.

Open Water teaches you how to dive. Advanced Open Water teaches you how to become a diver.

Do AOW immediately if…

• You want rapid skill acquisition through consecutive dives.
• You want earlier eligibility for specialised expeditions.
• You want faster development of underwater competency.

Wait if…

• You need foundational practice (5–10 recreational dives first).
• You're unsure about long-term commitment (~10% of people don't stick with diving).
• You want to build confidence gradually.

Conclusion

Combine certifications if you embrace the ocean enthusiastically, want cost and time efficiency, and were comfortable throughout OW. Delay if you're uncertain or want more practice dives first.

Go Careless facilitates PADI and SSI certifications — Open Water through Rescue Diver and Deep Diver Specialty (40 m).