Answering from a BSAC standpoint. I have to say that I was dissapointed that
@Diver0001 would make such disingenuous comments from a position of ignorance.
I am both BSAC trained (Dive Leader which is equal to DM with my Instructor course booked) and PADI RD (considering taking DM then instructor)
Yes BSAC is different. It's methology is based around diving in a club environment. You are not on commercial boats where you are pandered too, where your kit is set up and where you don't need to think (just follow a guide). You are trained to be more self sufficient, and the training is focused on diving in UK waters.
Being the UK the Diving season is quite short, which mean a lot of practice and theroy is done in the pool. By the time divers get in the water the basic skills are at a high level
Where the commercial organisations have 3 qualifications before DM, BSAC only has two (Ocean Diver which is equal to OW) and Sports diver which is RD standard)
Nitrox and Drysuits are embedded in OD courses as is basic rescue. At the end of SD, not only will they have similar rescue skills but they will have been trained in Planned Decompression, More on gas planning, basic dive Leading and assisting a Dive manager. They will be expected to have completed boat dives (large and small) Low Vis diving, using and deploying Shot lines etc etc. They will have been trained in carrying a Pony too. BSAC taught DMSB deployment from depth way before PADI thought about it
Dive Leader Has similaritied to DM where you learn Dive leading and additional rescue skills etc. Where it differs is that DM also learn about the commercial operation and learn how to demonstrate skills as an assistant instructor (Asst Instructor is a different Qual in BSAC
As a DL I am responsible for managing dive trips to locations known by the club (rather than expeditions to unknown areas which is Advanced Diver) Thus I need to be able to plan a days diving, understand and arrange the logistics of getting a boat in the water, gas arranged, charts tide and currents to ensure the dive site is diveable. Make sure we have enough O2 to support and incident and the list goes on. Our bread and butter trips involved arranging a 2 day trip for 20 divers to remote sites 100 miles away from the harbour where coast guard coverage is sparse. Making sure we dive sites which are in the experience range of divers and when at the site making decision regarding the sea state, current etc etc.
Yes BSAC don't teach long hose, primary donate. But neither do the commercials until you get to the Tech level, I've never been in an environment where Long hose is needed.
You be a Zero to Hero under BSAC. There are a minimum number of dives/hrs in the water needed from one course to the next. For OD you complete 20 dives to cover everything (you can't have a dive from a boat and a wall dive signed off in the same dive For SD there are another 20 dives
So BSAC isn't 15-20 years behind the times, it may be a little conservative in someways, however it doesn't produce sausage machine divers