AOW Certification

[Grateful Diver]

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY

GUNS ARE GIVEN TO 18 YEAR OLDS TO FIGHT IN FOREIGN LANDS

16 YEAR OLDS ARE GIVEN THE ABILITY TO DRIVE

TWO YEAR OLDS ARE GIVEN LOLLIPOPS

MOST OF US HAVE KNOWN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN KILLED BY ANY ONE OF THESE.

AS A COMMUNITY, DO WE REALLY WANT TO EAT OUR YOUNG?

Maybe ... with lemon ginger sauce, a side of sauteed mushrooms and a nice Belgian white ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[cardiver]

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY

GUNS ARE GIVEN TO 18 YEAR OLDS TO FIGHT IN FOREIGN LANDS

16 YEAR OLDS ARE GIVEN THE ABILITY TO DRIVE

TWO YEAR OLDS ARE GIVEN LOLLIPOPS

MOST OF US HAVE KNOWN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN KILLED BY ANY ONE OF THESE.

AS A COMMUNITY, DO WE REALLY WANT TO EAT OUR YOUNG?

Maybe ... with lemon ginger sauce, a side of sauteed mushrooms and a nice Belgian white ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I'm partaking in a nice Belgian white as I type.....

[Jeff Pack]

or with a good Tabasco sauce.

[Grateful Diver]

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY

GUNS ARE GIVEN TO 18 YEAR OLDS TO FIGHT IN FOREIGN LANDS

16 YEAR OLDS ARE GIVEN THE ABILITY TO DRIVE

TWO YEAR OLDS ARE GIVEN LOLLIPOPS

MOST OF US HAVE KNOWN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN KILLED BY ANY ONE OF THESE.

AS A COMMUNITY, DO WE REALLY WANT TO EAT OUR YOUNG?

Maybe ... with lemon ginger sauce, a side of sauteed mushrooms and a nice Belgian white ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I'm partaking in a nice Belgian white as I type.....

Had a Shock Top earlier this evening ... mmmmm ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[cardiver]

That's what I'm drinking.

[Dashrynn]

.....That left a stink for instructors ever since.

no, that was your drysuit because you didn't hook up your p-valve.

Hey I own a new shell suit now, and it has an H pee valve for when I start cave diving and other types needing it =D

Get yourself two P-valves with an isolation manifold. Then you can do away with the H valve ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Hahahahaha I fell over laughing.

[spatman]

*sigh*

Looks like its time for our annual winter drama thread.

settle in, buddy. we still have many more months to go.

[airsix]

I've been enjoying this thread. Is it really that bad? I thought there was a reasonable discussion going on. And some good jokes too.

[CaptnJack]

I've been enjoying this thread. Is it really that bad? I thought there was a reasonable discussion going on. And some good jokes too.

The Chianti and Fava beans are making me fart.

[spatman]

I've been enjoying this thread. Is it really that bad? I thought there was a reasonable discussion going on. And some good jokes too.

I don't think this thread has reached a rating on the NWDC Charlie Foxtrot Train Wreck Scale, but there are definite signs of Seasonally Affected Internet Diver Disorder peppered throughout.

Many of us have built up a naturally immunity to SAIDD after having spent a few seasons online navigating NWDC's wintertime landscape, giving us a thicker skin against sarcastic barbs and an understanding of when a SAIDD influenced post has intention of genuine concern or is just judgmental in nature. Over those seasons, online as well as in-person experiences have also allowed us to get to know the personalities behind the avatars, further dulling the impact of SAIDD influenced posts.

New members to NWDC often don't have that immunity. So when a thread like this goes from a simple question to a much bigger topic with pointed conversation, it can seem to the OP (and other members) as if they are at the center of a forest fire when they don't understand how they lit the match in the first place.

I agree with you, Ben, that there have been some good points made in this thread, made by divers we all respect. But there are also (perceived) testy overtones and reactions to those as well, making it a bit uncomfortable to some.

[Grateful Diver]

It's the seasonal ales, Matt ... a bit of spice with some testy overtones ... I recommend the Jubelale ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[CaptnJack]

I've been enjoying this thread. Is it really that bad? I thought there was a reasonable discussion going on. And some good jokes too.

I don't think this thread has reached a rating on the NWDC Charlie Foxtrot Train Wreck Scale, but there are definite signs of Seasonally Affected Internet Diver Disorder peppered throughout.

Many of us have built up a naturally immunity to SAIDD after having spent a few seasons online navigating NWDC's wintertime landscape, giving us a thicker skin against sarcastic barbs and an understanding of when a SAIDD influenced post has intention of genuine concern or is just judgmental in nature. Over those seasons, online as well as in-person experiences have also allowed us to get to know the personalities behind the avatars, further dulling the impact of SAIDD influenced posts.

New members to NWDC often don't have that immunity. So when a thread like this goes from a simple question to a much bigger topic with pointed conversation, it can seem to the OP (and other members) as if they are at the center of a forest fire when they don't understand how they lit the match in the first place.

I agree with you, Ben, that there have been some good points made in this thread, made by divers we all respect. But there are also (perceived) testy overtones and reactions to those as well, making it a bit uncomfortable to some.

This is, like, the definition of internet diving!
I gotta say though your definition of a "forest fire" is more like my weenie roast

[spatman]

It's the seasonal ales, Matt ... a bit of spice with some testy overtones ... I recommend the Jubelale ...

mmm, beer. I should brew a winter diver ale of some kind....

This is, like, the definition of internet diving!
I gotta say though your definition of a "forest fire" is more like my weenie roast

More like "n00b's forest fire" = "CaptnJack's mild static electricity shock from dragging his feet on the carpet".

[Dashrynn]

This is, like, the definition of internet diving!
I gotta say though your definition of a "forest fire" is more like my weenie roast

beenie weenie scale roast.

I look at most insults like this.

http://static.themetapicture.com/media/ ... s-Lock.jpg

[nwbobber]

It was a good question. A lot of good information was passed. I hope the OP can use it to attain his goals, and not feel attacked, cause I think a lot of points were brought up that are hard for a person getting started in this to see. I hope no ones feelers were hurt.

[H20doctor]

I learned everything in diving, from other experienced divers.. Not through classes

Ohhhhh page four .. I rules.. !!!!!

[LCF]

On the Deco Stop scale, this thread doesn't even rate . . .

[Dashrynn]

I learned everything in diving, from other experienced divers.. Not through classes

Ohhhhh page four .. I rules.. !!!!!

Lol....and what is your ppo2 at 99 ft with 32%?

[Joshua Smith]

On the Deco Stop scale, this thread doesn't even rate . . .

This ain't the Deco Stop. That's kind of my point. Sorry, I just got back from a week working out of town, and things are hectic. I have a point I want to make, but I want to take the time to do it right, so to speak. Nobody has crossed any major lines, here, and I'm not pointing any fingers or trying to single anyone out.

[mz53480]

....and I'm not pointing any fingers or trying to single anyone out.

yeah............Dashrynn.

[spatman]

On the Deco Stop scale, this thread doesn't even rate . . .

Not all diving forums use the same set of metrics.

And as I and Josh both pointed out, there have been no actual transgressions. We're just asking people to keep things positive and avoid unnecessary argument.

[Dashrynn]

....and I'm not pointing any fingers or trying to single anyone out.

yeah............Dashrynn.

Mz your mom......goes to scuba college! =_=

I really have no filter, if I sound like an ass, It's because I am. If I offend you, you can make me sound like an idiot with logic relative to the discussion. The main goal to most things I say is, to improve and evolve.

[CaptnJack]

On the Deco Stop scale, this thread doesn't even rate . . .

Not all diving forums use the same set of metrics.

And as I and Josh both pointed out, there have been no actual transgressions. We're just asking people to keep things positive and avoid unnecessary argument.

Shoot compared to the comments section of any Seattle Times article this thread doesn't rate. Its the internets, chill peoples

I learned everything in diving, from other experienced divers.. Not through classes

Ohhhhh page four .. I rules.. !!!!!

You da man!!!

[H20doctor]

I learned everything in diving, from other experienced divers.. Not through classes

Ohhhhh page four .. I rules.. !!!!!

Lol....and what is your ppo2 at 99 ft with 32%?

29.7 % trox..

[kitsapdiver]

So I usually don't post in threads like this one, and now that the thread has been sucessfully hi-jacked it is probably against my better judgement to address the original question. However, to the OP, becoming an OWI can be very rewarding, and it is an awesome goal. I wish you the best of luck in becoming a qualified and certified instructor.

My opinion on the AOW card is that it's actually not going to be on the "critical path" to becoming an instructor. At a minimum you need 100 dives beyond OW to qualify as an instructor, and I don't know many that got their OWI right at 100. So beside rescue, and dive master you're going to need to do a lot of other diving. Use that time to dive with as many different people as you can.

I know a lot of great divers who have good buoyancy skills, can resolve situations underwater, manage task loading etc. However very few of them have what is truely "demonstration quality" skills (including some certified instructors). That is the level that divers should be aspiring to when the want to become OWI. A class like essentials will help you really figure out what the little things are that change the quality from "very good" to "demonstration quality". You'll work on mastering the skills in the water column as opposed to sitting knees on the bottom, a demonstration that may be required from an OWI.

I also just think it's god to be exposed to as many flavors as you can find. If for no other reason you'll want to be able to serve the people that come into your shop even if they have different ideas about gear configuration, or ideology. I can think of at least one dive shop around here that gives me grief for using a BP/W setup.

I have never taken a class from NWGratefulDiver, but know enough about him as an instructor to say he's been exposed to a number of different diving environments, philosophies, and styles, and can answer any question you may have, and would bring great perspective to diving in the PNW, and what it takes to be a good instructor.

I have taken a class with Brian (as much as I'm sure he wants to forget those trainwrecks), and can say that if you want to see what I mean by demonstration quality, just dive with him one day, and you'll see what I mean. Both him and Jeanna have a very calming sense in the water because they have that demonstration quality mastery of the skills.

Lastly, there are a couple people that can come off on the board as pricks, but are actually great people, and even better divers. Don't write off anybody on the board until you have a good reason. By all mes Dive Dive Dive! And as always I'm up for diving, whenever!