They seem to be fairly close to me. Like with most classes - it may be somewhat dependent on the instructor, the agency, the adventure dives chosen in AOW, and how the Rescue course is taught. AOW + Rescue should be about 5 days of training - just like Sports Diver is. Sports Diver includes some Adventure Dive modules, and a Rescue module. And they both can be taken right after Ocean Diver = Open Water Diver. Is it possible I am under estimating the how much a couple of deep dives as part of multi subject Sports Diver training qualifies a diver for deco?
Sports diver is lighter on rescue than the PADI Rescue course I believe. It teaches the in water stuff but not managing rescues and is light on O2 admin.
There are no deep dives in the Sport Diver course, the training limit is 20m. Post course there is the idea of depth experience dives which extend 5m at a time. So just because you did the course you are not deemed ready to jump into 35m with a similarly inexperienced buddy.
The course dives include proper dive planning and doing (fake) stops. There are theory lessons covering deco theory, tables, gas planning and recognising DCI. Redundancy is discussed but is not the emphasis.
Since this is backgas only there is no stage handling, no gas switching protocols, nothing about chosing a deco gas.
Keep in mind that Divers doing this course are normally in a club setting with plenty of experianced divers available as buddies. When diving with the club there will be a Dive Manager having an opinion about their plan, so I if they want to do a 35m 30 minute air dive on a 15l cylinder then someone ought to asking them if they are sure about that. Similarly if they get out with insufficient gas or having done unexpectedly long deco some quiet words will be had.
The course is a foundation in a progression which can go on with twinsets, stages and so forth, or not. It means that everyone doing any non trivial diving has had some experiance, or a time least training, of dives involving stops. Many people never do anything past a few minutes of stops as they are diving singles and don’t want the hassle involved with more gear or are not prepared to give up the ability to ascend when they want.
People get used to different risks. I am happy with 10 minutes of backgas stops on a single 15 with a proper buddy. I am deeply uncomfortable past 25m on a single Ali80.