Good to know
This is a skill that should be continued in all courses, I don't recall doing it for my AOW, but I think it was done on my Rescue class and more recently it was part of my Advanced Recreational Trimix course below and on the surface, it helps maintaining familiarity with your gear.
---------- Post added June 14th, 2014 at 02:09 PM ----------
Fixed that movie title for you
The scenario you describe about doffing gear, surfacing and returning back down to don it again is part of the IANTD ART course that I have just referred to above. It is done from 6M depth (18ft). Surfacing is done feet first to control ascent, it should be also done wearing a weight belt, getting back down without one in a 5mm suit is not easy.