If my training (or that of my family) is inadequate, then we will not dive until it is so. I will not compromise that. But in order to make that decision, I need to know from people like you why the three classes that I have had are inadequate, since the agenc(ies) that certified me (or almost certified me, in the case of the older class), inform me to the contrary.
You answered the question yourself. If you had completed the process with your college class as you described it you would have no doubt that you were ready for your open water dives. Had you demonstrated any real degree of discomfort a YMCA instructor would not have given you the card. In fact they could not have and stayed within standards.
Jump to today. When someone leaves my class they are fully capable of planning, executing, and returning from a dive in conditions similar to or better than those in which they trained and they know it. Agencies that are WRSTC members also have this as a goal. That there are divers out there who are not comfortable or competent enough to do this is proof that they are not even meeting their own stated goal. You should have no doubts about being able to do warm water dives in good vis even if they are in the ocean. Minus strong currents and depths beyond recommended limits for OW divers had your training been adequate you would not have any doubts. If you had trained with me or with an instructor who adheres to the same standards I do you would not have a card if you or I were not fully confident in your abilities. This is the trademark of an SEI Diving Instructor. We cannot issue a certification unless you are fully capable in OUR estimation to meet the standards we ascribe to not only in skills but in knowledge and judgment. Other agencies say an instructor cannot withhold certification if you meet the skills and knowledge standards. We can. In addition had you taken an SEI course you would have had rescue skills, task loading exercises to increase your comfort and confidence, as well as time in the pool to really practice the skills and be sure you were ready to even do checkout dives. For example I would not hesitate to withhold certification from someone who had not completed every item in the course requirements no matter how much they paid or what kind of deadline they were on.
You answered the question yourself. If you had completed the process with your college class as you described it you would have no doubt that you were ready for your open water dives. Had you demonstrated any real degree of discomfort a YMCA instructor would not have given you the card. In fact they could not have and stayed within standards.
Jump to today. When someone leaves my class they are fully capable of planning, executing, and returning from a dive in conditions similar to or better than those in which they trained and they know it. Agencies that are WRSTC members also have this as a goal. That there are divers out there who are not comfortable or competent enough to do this is proof that they are not even meeting their own stated goal. You should have no doubts about being able to do warm water dives in good vis even if they are in the ocean. Minus strong currents and depths beyond recommended limits for OW divers had your training been adequate you would not have any doubts. If you had trained with me or with an instructor who adheres to the same standards I do you would not have a card if you or I were not fully confident in your abilities. This is the trademark of an SEI Diving Instructor. We cannot issue a certification unless you are fully capable in OUR estimation to meet the standards we ascribe to not only in skills but in knowledge and judgment. Other agencies say an instructor cannot withhold certification if you meet the skills and knowledge standards. We can. In addition had you taken an SEI course you would have had rescue skills, task loading exercises to increase your comfort and confidence, as well as time in the pool to really practice the skills and be sure you were ready to even do checkout dives. For example I would not hesitate to withhold certification from someone who had not completed every item in the course requirements no matter how much they paid or what kind of deadline they were on.
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. One of the hardest things that I have worked on and think I have done a pretty good job of is keep that and still make my courses FUN. 
