OW Checkout Dive Requirements

[TheRealScubaSteve]

So today while diving, there was a group of 8 or so students doing their final OW dives with an instructor. No idea what agency they were affiliated with, but is it standard practice with anyone to take students to 15 ft. or less for less than 8 minutes as a checkout dive? They took turns in 2 groups of 4 not even 50 feet from shore, which was certainly quite a bit less than 20 feet. After the "dive" the instructor brought all 8 of them back into the water and was giving them quick instruction on how to use a SMB. Seemed a bit strange given by experience getting certified.

 

[scadreau]

According to one agency a training dive is required to reach a depth of 15' and last for 20 minutes.

Sounds like another lazy instructor just going through the motions and creating bad divers.