Having just purchased my first drysuit, I ask this in all seriousness. Just what is the big deal?
I am an accomplished diver with good skills, but all my diving has been in wetsuits. So the difference is the mechanics of adjusting the buoyancy characteristics and squeeze, getting my trim adjusted and going over safety protocols.
Do I really need a class or will just a couple of dives do the trick?
To quote a sig line "Lack of preparation on your part will most certainly lead to an emergency on my part"
Some drysuit questions for you:
Do you use your BC to control buoyancy, or your DS, or both?
Does your DS have a quick dump for stopping a rapid ascent?
What do you do when the air is trapped in your feet?
How do you adjust the dump valve?
Do you wear ankle weights or not?
Do you need more or less weight for the DS?
My personal opinion is that most "specialties" are a waste of the plastic they are printed on. I think DS and nitrox are the only two that are important.
Yes you can read and practice on your own but for 1 to 2 pool sessions and an ow why not do take the course? Especially if you can get the seller to throw it in.