The next step after Open Water
The Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) course is the second diving course, for divers who already hold an Open Water certificate and want to dive deeper, more independently and in more varied conditions. It consists of short theory and five open-water dives with an instructor; each dive introduces one area of diving.
When you finish you receive an international PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or SDI Advanced Adventure Diver certificate, which lets you dive to 30 metres.
Course programme
Deep dive (required)
You dive deeper than 18 m but no deeper than 30 m. You learn how nitrogen narcosis affects you at depth, how air consumption and colours change, how to plan a dive with a dive computer, stay within no-decompression limits and ascend safely.
Navigation (required)
You learn to use a compass and natural references, plan a route and return to your starting point even in poor visibility.
Three dives you choose
You choose the other three dives with your instructor. On a night dive, for example, you learn to use a torch and communicate with light signals; on an SMB dive you learn to deploy a surface marker buoy that shows where you are. Each of these dives is the first dive of that specialty course, so it can count towards the specialty certificate later.
How the course runs
You can study the theory in our classroom or online, in Lithuanian, English or Russian. In the pool you practise buoyancy and safety skills, and all five dives take place in open water.
What comes next
After this course you can go further in the areas you enjoyed with specialty courses, or move on to the Rescue Diver course.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start right after the Open Water course?
Yes. An Open Water Diver certificate, or an equivalent one from another organisation, is all you need; no extra experience is required.
How deep can I dive after the course?
To 30 metres. Divers under 15 receive a Junior certificate and may dive to 21 m.
Which dives are required?
The deep dive and the navigation dive. You choose the other three with your instructor.
How long does the course take?
Usually 2–3 days, depending on how many dives you do per day.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. We provide all the diving equipment for the course, including a compass.