I'm a new diver, and I did my OW dives in a quarry in 8-12 foot viz (depending on which day.) Personally I think it was a good opportunity for me, but I can see how many new divers, especially those not already comfortable in the water, would have some serious panic opportunities in low viz. I found I much prefer diving in the same quarry a couple months later when the viz was closer to 20 feet.
I think being exposed to such situations early was good for me, but I tend to be more comfortable in "unfamiliar" environments where other people with similar experience get stressed a bit more easily than I. I don't think I'd want to teach (or be taught) basic OW in anything less than what I had, though, because there's simply too much going on for a newbie to be truly comfortable. Maybe discomfort isn't bad (I tend to think it can be beneficial) but that's something else entirely.
I voted in the 0-2 feet category though, because I was thinking general diving, which to me could still be fun. I prefer being able to see at least something, but if a fish swims by my face it's a good dive, period. Even if a fish doesn't swim by, I still like it. Even in cold water
I think being exposed to such situations early was good for me, but I tend to be more comfortable in "unfamiliar" environments where other people with similar experience get stressed a bit more easily than I. I don't think I'd want to teach (or be taught) basic OW in anything less than what I had, though, because there's simply too much going on for a newbie to be truly comfortable. Maybe discomfort isn't bad (I tend to think it can be beneficial) but that's something else entirely.
I voted in the 0-2 feet category though, because I was thinking general diving, which to me could still be fun. I prefer being able to see at least something, but if a fish swims by my face it's a good dive, period. Even if a fish doesn't swim by, I still like it. Even in cold water