Just back to an origianl subject,,,
I think there is a big difference between 80’ and 130’ for the deep water training.
There is another factor we should consider is a psychological one. If you hit over 100’, you won’t feel that much difference at 130’, but not 80’. In fact, many OW divers intentionally or unintentionally hit 130’ in a warm diving environment. Of course, it is limited in NDL. Once they hit 130’, it isn’t a big deal to do it again.
In the same context, the absolute depth can’t mean anything depending on the diving environment. As we may hear a Gilboa accident last weekend, the mucky, dark, and cold 100’ will be more task-loading than 130’ in a tropical water diving environment. That is, there is also a psychological factor to be scared at 100’ mucky, dark, and cold water.
To dive deep isn’t a rocket science. You just simply go deep as long as you aren’t coward. However, to be safely out of water is another matter. The deep class is to teach how to get out of water safely. It is a barometer of good diver in my perspectives.
In addition, it is also true that there aren't many rec. instructors who are actually doing a deep diving regularly in mid-west.
Just my 2 bar..