As for becoming a better diver, PPB is the only one that would be comparable, and you passed on that for whatever reason.
Bob,
This is from the PADI PPB instructor guide found here: https://elearning.padi.com/company0/tools/peak performance buoyancy.pdf
Can you tell me what from the excerpt below shouldn't already been covered in a properly taught open water course? It seems to me that PPB is to compensate for a poor, on the knees, open water course.
Confined water
1. Directly from the hover, have divers swim midwater to the outside edge of the pool (or a specific point) with their buddy. From there, divers swim underwater from deep to shallow next to the pool wall (or along a designated course.) During the swim, divers adjust for neutral buoyancy, concentrate on an efficient
kicking style, practice gliding after kicks and streamline their body/equipment as much as possible. Explain that the goal is to complete two trips around the pool (or designated course) without any part of their body or equipment touching the bottom or breaking the surface.
2. Divers swim through an obstacle course with weighted PVC pipe, HulaHoops or other devices. Direct divers to try to swim through the obstacles without touching them.
3. Divers simulate a safety stop by hovering midwater for three minutes.
4. Divers practice one or more of the following: 1) One-finger push-offs off
the pool bottom or nonfragile bottom. 2) Sculling forward and backward using minimal hand or fi n movement. 3) Dropping weights at the surface. Use soft weights if possible. Be cautious of divers under the weights and of damaging the pool or fragile bottom. Have divers with weight-integrated BCDs reload weights following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Dive One
• Rig a weight system with the following considerations in mind:
1. Estimate the amount of weight to begin a dive using PADI’s “Basic Weighting Guidelines” or the manufacturer recommendations (if using a rebreather).
2. Position and distribute the weight for comfort and desired body position (trim) in the water.
• Use visualization techniques prior to the dive to help you relax, establish a comfortable breathing pattern and move gracefully through the water.
• Conduct a buoyancy check by adjusting the amount of weight worn to achieve neutral buoyancy at the surface of the water with the BCD deflated.
• Make a controlled, slow descent to the bottom and, if needed, adjust for neutral buoyancy using the BCD.
• Adjust for neutral buoyancy at a predetermined depth.
• Hover for 60 seconds without rising or sinking more than 1 metre/3 feet by making minor depth adjustments using breath control only (open-circuit scuba), or using very minor hand/fin sculling only (rebreathers).
• Make minor depth adjustments using breath control only (open-circuit scuba).
• Swim horizontally, while neutrally buoyant without touching the bottom or breaking the surface of the water with equipment or body.
• Demonstrate efficient fin kicks, using long, slow strokes and gliding.
• Adjust weights (trim) and practice hovering in different positions – vertical, horizontal, feet slightly elevated and head slightly elevated.
• Conduct a postdive buoyancy check by adjusting the amount of weight worn to achieve neutral buoyancy at the surface of the water with the BCD deflated.
Dive Two
• Rig a weight system with the following considerations in mind: 1. Estimate the amount of weight to begin a dive using PADI’s “Basic Weighting Guidelines” or the manufacturer recommendations (if using a rebreather), or based on experience from previous dives.
2. Position and distribute the weight for comfort and desired body position (trim) in the water.
• Use visualization techniques to help you relax, establish a comfortable breathing pattern and move gracefully through the water.
• Conduct a pre- and post-dive buoyancy check by adjusting the amount of weight worn to achieve neutral buoyancy at the surface of the water with the BCD deflated.
• Make a controlled, slow descent to the bottom and if needed, adjust for neutral buoyancy using the BCD.
• Demonstrate efficient fin kicks, using long, slow strokes and gliding after each kick.
• Hover for 90 seconds without rising or sinking more than 1 metre/3 feet by making minor depth adjustments using breath control only (open-circuit scuba), or using very minor hand/fi n sculling only (rebreathers).
• Flood and clear your mask while holding a specific hover depth and compensating for sudden buoyancy changes (rebreather divers only).
• Maneuver as close to a nonliving portion of the bottom (rock, sand, etc.) without touching it and then back away using neutral buoyancy with hand or fin sculling.