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I agree that most of the basic safety stuff is still covered in (PADI) OW course. But back to my old rant--This doesn't include what to do in really bad situations, particularly if it invovles a panicking buddy. Enter, the Rescue Course. In looking over my 10 year old OW manual I notice lots of advice on this, such as if you're buddy is panicking on the surface you should first establish buoyancy (ei., inflate his BC &/or drop his weights). Then after on solid ground administer CPR and rescue breathing, perhaps oxygen if needed. The OW course doesn't give you the skills on how to safely established buoyancy, and suppose you don't know CPR? The book says basically find someone who does....But it doesn't say that two newbie buddies should have someone diving with them at all times that knows CPR or that someone with rescue skills should always be with them.