WELCOME to ScubaBoard Shaxs!!!
Sounds like a great course you're taking.
I was surprised at the course I took, it's true, the civilian courses are too short but I'm sure that most divers today wouldn't be certified if the introductory course was even only a month of intensive training.
I guess that's a trade off that can be dealt with, the low initial investment vs continued training and experience. Surprisingly, we have a very safe sport in spite of the initial training being more of a survey course.
I hope to see your postings often.
Now for my stock message, which is still under construction: I really do have to work on modifying this note!!!
This is a great place to meet people, talk about diving, and get information on just about any aspect of diving -or other subjects sometimes- that you can think of. Roaming through the forums is great help for me.
Now get wet with us and dive into the forums to ask questions, answer those that you can and even chat with folks about diving dreams and nightmares. ScubaBoard is a great place to spend your required Surface Intervals.
When you post a question, be as sure as you can that it's in the right forum or you'll probably find it moved.
The folks here are passionate about their diving, some about their specialty, so the reading can get very interesting, sometimes very hot.
Don't forget, if you haven't already done it, to fill out you profile as completely as reasonable, it'll save you being asked and having to repeat the information often.
Enjoy!
Tom