Frank:
To say CMAS instructors are so much better trained than PADI instructors is absolute crap and you should know it. I am amazed how you take every opportunity to fire cheap shots at PADI.
You can't possibly make that statement because CMAS instructors in different countries are trained in different ways and to different standards. Why don't you stop trying to portray CMAS as being this one great organization which it is NOT. It is merely a loose confederation of diving organizations in different countries who have different standards. Some of those standards are VERY loose. In fact, in some countries the CMAS organization allows non instructors to teach the divers without an instructor even being present.
Carlos:
PADI has the requirement that you ahve to complete all training for a class within one year or it is not valid. It is up to an instructor or dive shop what is done if it is longer than a year. Personally, I would have reviewed what you already had done with you and then completed your training. If you had started with me or our shop and initially paid for the Rescue Diver course I would have finished you for free. My opinion is that you only pay once and you have me for life.
No, this is not a PADI policy, just mine.