The standards are there, but it's up to the instructor and dive centre to follow them in spirit as well. I have seen (and worked with) instructors who seem to think a good course is one that can be completed in the shortest possible time. I've also seen centres that will allocate minimal pool availability. Just look at another recent thread with a poor instructor lamenting the fact that he was expected to knock out confined 1-5 in 2 hours!
An example is CW5 which, in my opinion, is the most important dive, but often bolted on as an afterthought to CW4. If done properly it allows the students to really start thinking and planning as an autonomous diver. By this point I want students to demonstrate they can confidently rig, test and predive check without staff input; plan, present and carry out a dive plan; demonstrate controlled descends, ascents and buoyancy throughout the dive, and confidently respond to a range of issues during the dive itself. These aren't Graeme Fraser standards, they're agency standards. If there isn't sufficient pool time to allow for this, guess what? we'll come back when there is. Luckily we usually manage to pace things so this isn't necessary, but on the occasion that it is I haven't had any pushback from my employer.
An example is CW5 which, in my opinion, is the most important dive, but often bolted on as an afterthought to CW4. If done properly it allows the students to really start thinking and planning as an autonomous diver. By this point I want students to demonstrate they can confidently rig, test and predive check without staff input; plan, present and carry out a dive plan; demonstrate controlled descends, ascents and buoyancy throughout the dive, and confidently respond to a range of issues during the dive itself. These aren't Graeme Fraser standards, they're agency standards. If there isn't sufficient pool time to allow for this, guess what? we'll come back when there is. Luckily we usually manage to pace things so this isn't necessary, but on the occasion that it is I haven't had any pushback from my employer.