Advanced Open Water

The Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification at Learn Scuba Chicago is your next step to unlocking deeper underwater exploration and expanding your diving capabilities. This course is specifically designed for certified divers who have completed their Open Water training and are eager to explore environments up to 130 feet. You will build upon your foundational skills, learning advanced techniques and specialized applications crucial for more challenging dives.

This program delves into essential advanced scuba skills including refined buoyancy control, underwater navigation, mapping techniques, deep diving procedures, and methods for wreck exploration and search and recovery. These skills are vital for confidently undertaking more complex dives. The curriculum emphasizes practical application and hands-on experience, ensuring you gain proficiency in a controlled setting. Learn Scuba Chicago utilizes NAUI eLearning for core concepts, supplemented by a minimum of one confined water session to refresh Open Water skills and practice advanced techniques.

Following your pool training, you will complete six open water dives. These dives are structured to integrate the advanced skills you've learned into real-world diving scenarios, preparing you for a wider range of diving activities and environments. While the course materials include a dive slate, you will need to provide your own mask, snorkel, boots, scuba fins, an underwater flashlight/torch, hood, gloves, a surface marker buoy, and a water-resistant timepiece rated to at least 100m/300ft. This certification significantly enhances your underwater experience and confidence.

As a PADI, NAUI, and IDEA affiliated center, Learn Scuba Chicago offers this advanced training with a strong emphasis on safety and skill development. The Advanced Open Water certification is a significant step for any diver looking to enhance their capabilities and prepare for further specialized training. It opens doors to more adventurous diving and a deeper understanding of the underwater world, making you a more versatile and capable diver.