Something funny my regulator did last weekend

[Elkman]

To answer a couple questions (the second question first):

I surfaced alone because I couldn't immediately get the attention of my buddy and instructor.  I probably should have tried harder to get their attention, but I didn't want to run totally out of air underwater and have to share off my buddy's regulator.  My instructor didn't yell at me afterward for surfacing alone, anyway.  If I did something wrong there, I would hope that he would have corrected me on the spot.

As far as the Advanced Open Water certification goes, this is through PADI, which .  Basically, the requirement is to do five of the Adventure Dives (including the underwater navigation dive and the deep dive, plus three others).  It doesn't mean I need to go through five specialty courses.

I realize, of course, that I'm only as experienced as my logbook says.  I have 10 logged dives -- the four for my OW certification, one with a member of this board, and the five for my AOW certification.  (Besides, says that you aren't an advanced anything after doing it only 8 times - or 10 in my case.)  I'll admit that I still have a lot to learn, and that being a good diver only comes through experience and more training.  (On the flip side, if I'm not good at something, why should I continue to do it?)

(Also, since the rumor mill is still going: My fifth dive with a member of this board, along with an unlogged snorkeling swim on 2006-08-12 and the BW3 get-together on 2006-10-12, are the only in-person contact I've had with this person.)