OK... here is what people (OW Divers) need to go diving... Equipment and Skills. What does DIR say you need... lets have a comparable lis. I too am curious:
Regulator
Alternate Air Source (Octo or breathable inflator)
BCD or BP/W
Weight - integrated or belt (or simply steel tank & plate)
Tank
Mask, Fins & Snorkel
Wetsuit, Boots, Gloves and Hoods (all optional depending on location)
Redundant Air supply (not required, but recommended)
Minimum skills 36 requirements (in water
Entries & Exits (giant stride, controlled seated, backward roll, shore)
Regulator clearing 1 & 2
Regulator recovery 1 & 2
Mask Clearing
Mask removal & replacement
Controlled Ascents & Descents
Air Sharing
Air Sharing Swimming
Air Sharing Ascents
Emergency Swimming Ascents
BCD removal and replacement UW & On surface
Weight removal and replacement UW & On Surface
neutral buoyancy (fin pivots & hovering)
navigation by compass
Buddy Assist Tows (three methods)
Cramp Relief
Breathing from a Free Flowing Regulator
Snorkel to Regulator Exchange
Air Monitoring
Safety Stops
Fin Kicks (Flutter, Frog & Dolphin)
Proper Weighting
Inverted Swimming
I have to ask all new divers... did you get all of these 36 skills in your OW course?