AOW
Advanced Open Water (AOW) is a certification level in scuba diving that goes beyond basic diving skills. It's like a driver's license upgrade that allows divers to do more advanced activities. This certification is typically issued by organizations like PADI or SSI, and it qualifies divers to go deeper and handle more challenging diving conditions. When you see AOW on a resume, it means the person has completed training in specialized diving skills like deep diving, navigation, and night diving. This is often a minimum requirement for professional diving roles like dive instructors or diving tour guides.
Examples in Resumes
Certified AOW instructor with experience teaching specialty diving courses
Conducted over 500 Advanced Open Water training dives
AOW certification holder with additional specialties in night and wreck diving
Typical job title: "AOW Instructors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find AOW Instructors
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle emergency situations during AOW training dives?
Expected Answer: Should describe clear emergency protocols, demonstration of leadership skills, and ability to manage both student and equipment-related emergencies while maintaining calm and control.
Q: How do you assess whether conditions are suitable for AOW training dives?
Expected Answer: Should explain decision-making process regarding weather, water conditions, student readiness, and safety considerations, showing experience in risk assessment.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What teaching methods do you use to introduce new AOW skills to students?
Expected Answer: Should discuss different teaching approaches for various learning styles, practical demonstration techniques, and methods to build student confidence.
Q: How do you maintain diving equipment for AOW courses?
Expected Answer: Should explain regular maintenance procedures, pre-dive checks, and understanding of all safety equipment requirements for advanced diving.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the key differences between Open Water and Advanced Open Water training?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic progression from entry-level to advanced skills, including deeper diving, navigation, and specialty dives.
Q: What safety procedures do you follow before taking students on an AOW dive?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic pre-dive safety checks, briefing procedures, and essential equipment verification steps.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic AOW certification and teaching experience
- Knowledge of fundamental diving safety procedures
- Ability to demonstrate basic underwater skills
- Understanding of dive planning basics
Mid (2-5 years)
- Experience teaching multiple specialty courses
- Strong emergency management skills
- Advanced equipment maintenance knowledge
- Ability to handle challenging diving conditions
Senior (5+ years)
- Extensive teaching experience across all levels
- Advanced rescue and emergency response skills
- Ability to train other instructors
- Expert risk assessment and management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Expired diving certifications
- Lack of current CPR and first aid certification
- No experience with emergency procedures
- Poor communication skills
- Incomplete diving insurance coverage
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