I took rescue and with only 18 OW dives under my belt I thought I might be biting off more than I could chew, but I took it because I had a specific need to when my good friend wanted to go on her first So Cal dive with me, in cold water, kelp, heavy wetsuit, hood and gloves, it sure helped my confidence in being able to be safe ... the course was the hardest, funest, most rewarding, thing that I've done
.. I think that the idea of taking it again as a refresher is a good one , I've seen that some instructors offer to do so at a discounted rate