Bob DBF
Contributor
Where the system breaks down is that students are rarely given adequate time and repetitions to really LEARN those procedures.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
I believe that is the crux of the problem. And it is not just SCUBA, I see a tendency in the society as a whole to put an emphasis on how fast a thing can be done rather than how well it can be done.
Another point that should be made is that divers needed better water skills because of the gear available and more time was taken to insure the diver had a good chance to survive the inevitable equipment failure. During this "extra" time topics like risk assessment, gas planning, and how to expand your skills and limits without an instructor were discussed during the SI, since most divers then would not be taking another class. You can't make a better diver without taking the time to do it, then or now.
Bob
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I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.