Let's see . . . I've taken a lot of classes. What did I learn that I didn't learn in OW? Well, shooting a bag. . . running line . . . Taking an incapacitated diver to the surface . . . managing complex tasks in midwater with minimal buoyancy changes . . . There is a list, and none of those things was I ready to learn in my OW class. And I haven't even addressed the fine-tuning and sharpening of existing skills (especially situational awareness) that has come from my classes. Situational awareness is one of the greatest things for an instructor to help you polish, because the essence of poor SA is that the person who has it is unaware of it.
I think there are a lot of things in diving that you ONLY learn by doing your own dives and being responsible for them. And there are some things you CAN learn on your own, but may learn faster and less painfully if someone else tells you about a mistake you are going to make BEFORE you make it. And there are some things (like proper line running) where you are quite likely to make a muddle of it, if you don't get some coaching.
Classes have a role in developing a diver. So do mentors, and so, most critically, does diving regularly (and practicing skills!) To focus too much on one is counterproductive, but to dismiss any is, too.
I think there are a lot of things in diving that you ONLY learn by doing your own dives and being responsible for them. And there are some things you CAN learn on your own, but may learn faster and less painfully if someone else tells you about a mistake you are going to make BEFORE you make it. And there are some things (like proper line running) where you are quite likely to make a muddle of it, if you don't get some coaching.
Classes have a role in developing a diver. So do mentors, and so, most critically, does diving regularly (and practicing skills!) To focus too much on one is counterproductive, but to dismiss any is, too.