I was certified many, many years ago by a shop that I'm learning was actually pretty good. It was once a week for 6 or 8 weeks. We had classwork and poolwork every session. We learned buoyancy control, buddy breathing, dive planning, etc. I understand that standards have changed in the last two decades, but the class my spouse just finished seemed rushed and incomplete (I watched the pool work and talked to my spouse about what they went over in the classroom sessions). To start with this was twice a week for 3 and half weeks, plus two Saturdays of OW diving. There was maybe two classroom sessions. No tables, and only very slight mention of computers. Basically, they were told that computers exist and to just follow the guidelines that the computer gives you. Only very basic physics. I've seen cruise ship how-not-to-die classes that cover more in the way of the why's of diving injuries (the book was somewhat better). The rest of the course was pool work. They hit the major skills, but only once or twice per skill. No buoyancy control work to speak of. No buddy breathing (which I understand may not be a thing these days). No buddy checks (BARWF) at all. The OW dives were short and shallow. The class was also certified having less dives than the certifying agency's standard calls for.
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