The problem is that it works well enough in some instances to get people into trouble. It's why I like that SEI did away with ow plus, advanced ow, advanced ow plus, etc and went to advanced levels 1-4. It also more closely aligns with the cmas certs we can issue. Each level has specific requirements that are clearly spelled out. I was part of the team that wrote the new standards for these. Not that most operations would understand them, but the students do. That's what counts. It was necessary to have the word advanced in there for two main reasons. Marketing was one. The other was to satisfy those operations that wanted their butts covered with their insurance providers. Even though our ow divers are given rescue skills, emergency deco table use, and additional skills and knowledge not found in other ow courses and they are technically certed to 100 ft out of the ow class. It was recognized that even though an advanced open water card is exactly zero indication of knowledge and skills, ops still want to see one. It has nothing to do with the divers being able to handle sites. It has everything to do with operations getting out of any liability for injuries and deaths. Even when they take divers to sites completely unsuitable for them. They can say "well, he had an advanced card! Sue the instructor, shop, and agency that gave it to him. We did our due diligence! "