My take is it depends on what kind of diver you are. If you are knowledgable about diving and read up a lot on diving physiology, safety, dive techniques etc, maybe you don't need to, except when the dive op requires it (e.g., deeper wreck dives - but sometimes they let you dive if you show recent equivalent dives in your logbook).
Also are you a diver who pushes way past the limits (like trying to set a record or something) when going deeper, at night, diving in challenging environments oroverhead environments (cavern/wreck)? If you are, then perhaps classes are recommended, in my opinion, for your safety and your buddy's. I always recommend that new divers shoud aim to do up to Rescue, so they can prevent accidents before they occur (not just saving others).
I recall basic CMAS divers were trained in Rescue, and under the old BSAC system, those who can dive on their own (without divecon) had to be better trained than PADI OW standards. All things being equal, I'd prefer having better trained divers in the water.
Dive safely.
Also are you a diver who pushes way past the limits (like trying to set a record or something) when going deeper, at night, diving in challenging environments oroverhead environments (cavern/wreck)? If you are, then perhaps classes are recommended, in my opinion, for your safety and your buddy's. I always recommend that new divers shoud aim to do up to Rescue, so they can prevent accidents before they occur (not just saving others).
I recall basic CMAS divers were trained in Rescue, and under the old BSAC system, those who can dive on their own (without divecon) had to be better trained than PADI OW standards. All things being equal, I'd prefer having better trained divers in the water.
Dive safely.