The NAUI Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver course is the next logical step after your NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver certification (or equivalent from another agency). It's a continuing education program focused on building experience, confidence, and versatility by exposing you to a broader range of diving conditions and activities.
NAUI's approach emphasizes practical experience in varied environments, with a strong focus on safety and skill development. Graduates are qualified to dive independently (with a buddy) in conditions similar to their training, without direct supervision.
Course Overview
Prerequisites
- Certification as a NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver (or equivalent from a recognized agency).
- Minimum age: 15 years (Junior Advanced certification available for ages 10–14, with adjusted limits).
- Instructor screening/evaluation to confirm adequate knowledge, skills, and fitness (may include a review dive that doesn't count toward requirements).
- Duration: Typically 2–4 days (often a long weekend), depending on scheduling, weather, and site availability.
- Dives: Minimum of 6 open water dives.
- No final written exam — certification is based on successful completion of the dives, skill demonstrations, and instructor evaluation.
- Maximum depth: Up to **40 meters / 130 feet** (on the Deep dive, within recreational limits).
Course Structure
The course centers entirely on **open water experience** — there is usually minimal or no confined water/pool time beyond any needed review. You'll complete six open water dives, with three specific required dives and three elective dives chosen based on your interests, local conditions, and instructor offerings.
**Required Advanced Dives** (these must be completed as separate dives):
1. **Deep Dive**
- Descent to depths beyond 18 m / 60 ft, typically up to 30–40 m / 100–130 ft.
- Focus: Understanding deeper diving effects (increased nitrogen absorption, narcosis awareness, higher air consumption, decompression considerations).
- Skills: Controlled descents/ascents, proper safety stop procedures, dive planning for depth, and monitoring gas supply.
2. **Navigation Dive**
- Underwater navigation using compass and natural references.
- Skills: Compass use (surface and underwater), estimating distance, maintaining straight-line courses, pattern searches, natural navigation (e.g., using bottom features, light, currents).
3. **Night or Limited Visibility Dive**
- Diving in low-light or reduced-visibility conditions (night, dusk, dawn, or murky water).
- Focus: Use of dive lights, communication signals, orientation, and safety in reduced visibility.
- Builds comfort and awareness in challenging conditions.
**Elective/Additional Dives** (choose 3 more):
These are flexible and often tailored to your location and preferences. Common options include:
- Peak Performance Buoyancy / Buoyancy Control
- Search & Recovery
- Wreck Diving (non-penetration)
- Boat Diving
- Drift Diving / Diving in Currents
- Hunting & Collecting
- Exploration & Underwater Mapping
- Self-Rescue Skills
- Diving with Dive Computers
- Dry Suit Diving (if in cold water)
- Saltwater/Freshwater Diving (to experience the opposite of your usual environment)
- Underwater Photography/Video Basics
- Observation & Data Collection
Each dive includes pre-dive briefings, skill practice/review, and post-dive debriefs. Your instructor demonstrates techniques as needed and ensures you perform skills competently.
*** What You’ll Gain From This Course ***
- Confidence to dive in more varied conditions and environments.
- Ability to plan and execute dives to 40 m / 130 ft (with a buddy).
- Stronger skills in navigation, buoyancy, deep diving, and low-visibility scenarios.
- Exposure to specialty areas to decide which full NAUI Specialty courses you might want next.
- **NAUI Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver** certification — widely recognized, though note that NAUI's deeper limit (130 ft) differs from some agencies like PADI (100 ft for the Advanced Open Water level).
### Key Differences from PADI Advanced Open Water
- NAUI requires **6 dives** (vs. PADI's 5).
- NAUI mandates **Night/Limited Visibility** as one of the core dives (PADI makes Night optional).
- NAUI allows deeper training (up to 130 ft) compared to PADI's 100 ft limit at this level.
- NAUI emphasizes more practical experience and flexibility in electives.
This course is highly regarded for its hands-on approach and for helping divers quickly become more capable and comfortable in open water. It's challenging but fun — many find the variety of dives makes it one of the most enjoyable certifications.
If you're planning to take this course (or have a specific location/interest in mind), let us know so we can tailor suggestions for elective dives or comparisons!