I completely agree. A longer, more comprehensive approach to teaching will bring this about.
Walter:
Seems to me you have it right without the rancor.
As mentioned before, I was first certified in San Diego by San Digeo Divers supply, they were NASDS, course was five weeks, lots of pool work, five open water dives. No push up drills, no harrasment, just good detailed instruction, mask clearing in open water, buddy breathing horizontal and vertical, how to deal with kelp, and more. It was not "old timey" or old fashioned. It was just complete. We really learned to dive.
Later I took NAUI and more NASDS and PADI courses, rescue, deep dive, etc. In one NAUI course our instructor, a very good one, turned off our air, removed masks, and all that. He did it one at a time with a great degree of care and skill. I benefited from it.
The lowering of standards, whatever the motive, results, IMO, in "divers" who are inadequately trained and never really learn to be independent and
active divers.