ScubaDadMiami:
I have a problem with this curriculum if it includes making "practice" emergency ascents from 130 feet to 30 feet. The way to do this drill is not to actually make the ascent from significant depth but, in shallow water, to swim horizontally for a distance and then to ascend from a shallow depth. The only time to make an actual ascent from these deeper depths at an emergency ascent speed is during an actual emergency because the ascent itself presents risks (over expansion injuries, etc.).
The time to actually perform this skill is when it is better to get bent and be alive while rescuing another than it is to die underwater. So, having to make such a decision in real life should be an uncommon one (surfacing an unconscious diver, etc.). There are too many risks involved to do this drill from such a depth. That is the real problem.
When diving beyond 100 feet, it is wise to use some kind of helium based mix, such as 30/30 to the depths you are referring to here, to avoid problems with narcosis. So, your course curriculum is putting you in a no win situation: performing rescues with the possible influence of narcosis (which still has serious risks from making emergency ascents at these depths) to avoid potential helium issues, or using helium based mixes to limit the narcosis issues while possibly increasing risks from the ascent.
The goal is to practice a skill in a controlled situation so that, in the time of need, one takes limited risks to save lives, not to purposely take risks just to see if one survives.
I am not here to defend the CMAS curriculum, which has been in place for many years. This may be part of the problem, too - the way people dive, and their attitude towards safety, has evolved over the years.
For clarity, here is the list of skills to be demonstrated for the Deco Diving and the Rescue parts of the curriculum.
Deco diving skills:
1. Perform detailed buddy checks on land and at 3 m, demonstrate both head-first and feet-first immersion techniques.
2. Descend smoothly to 30 m, stop at 30 +/- 1m, stay fully equilibrated for a few seconds without finning.
3. Descend to 40 m and maintain depth.
4. Do a full mask clearing - remove mask, put back on, then clear in no more than two expirations.
5. Be able to perform and interpret the full range of standard hand signals at 40 m.
6. Perform a buddy breathing ascent to 15 m while maintaining an ascent speed of 8-12 m/min, stop at 15 m for at least one minute while buddy breathing.
7. Ascend to 6 m and return to the immersion point using a compass only while maintaining this depth.
8. Respect all deco obligations incurred during the dive.
Rescue skills:
1. Bring an unconscious buddy up from a depth of 40 m, controlling the ascent speed (8 to 12 m/min) using both BCDs. Ensure that the buddy is breathing throughout the ascent to avoid an AGE (maintain a reg in his mouth, assist his breathing if necessary). Make a safety stop at 3-5 m, and ensure that there are no surface hazards.
2. Call for help when reaching the surface, and tow the unconscious diver for at least two minutes.
3. Once on land or on the boat, take all necessary measures to ensure the diver's immediate survival: correct positioning, administration of oxygen, CPR if necessary, protection against hypothermia, etc