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bonnier-admin
05-12-2004, 05:00 PM
Hi, I am going to Sipadan this summer August for diving. Now some people advice me not to go because I do not have the Advanced Open Water certification ? I have the Standard Open Water certification, and I have been diving in depths down to 33m. My certificate is only valid down to 20m but I cannot se the difference between 20m and 30-35m its fells the same in terms of diving skills to me. Pls. comment I am a little confused about this subject ?
Thanks Thomas, Denmark
bonnier-admin
05-29-2004, 05:00 PM
Why do they say you need advanced open water certification. You might have more experience with your open water than some people have with an advanced certification.
bonnier-admin
05-30-2004, 05:00 PM
Hi, You may well have much more experience than many AOW divers, so it does seem to make little sense. However, some dive schools may forbid you from going on dives that go to more than the 18m your certification states you are allowed. If in doubt, contact some of the dive companies out there and check out the situation. By the way, a friend of mine dived Sipadan in March this year, and said it was fantastic. More turtles than you could count on almost every dive. Have a great time.
David
bonnier-admin
06-21-2004, 05:00 PM
Hi, I say just be safe in all your dives you do. if you dive down to 33m. with your open water make sure your buddy is a professional diver and you 2 stay together at all the time.
I'm a diver for nearly a year with only 20 dives living in wales with spanish nationality, I when to ibiza on holidays to do my advance open water with my father in law (professional diver) and a friend just a couple days ago. Is nice to have a buddy with more experience, because the instructor is not always with you, especially when i did my deep dive and we when down to 30m+ from 12m. and I lost my instructor but having my buddy next to my at all the time make you feel good safe and tha's what you need.
because the open water allowed you to 18m, some instructors don't want you down to 19...some just do, but i had to do my advance because I feel safe and my buddy too and that's what I want
but remember..ENJOY DIVING DEEP OR NOT