w wittman

>IS it true that EVERYONE considers more stringenet training necessary?
>i suspect there isn't that degree of unanimity.
>plenty opf popele probably consider the standards tough enough.
>
>to me it's the BIGGER issue that standards are often taken as only
>guidelines by some cowboys.

Your last statement adds a new portion of arguement.  The problem with 
standards is that in fact they are guidelines.  They are set so that one 
knows what the minimums are... the instructor should not do less than the 
minimums.  

What we may need to define is what is 'more stringent training?'

To some it means to increase the swims, water tread times, etc. AKA 
Physical Stamina.
To others it means to increase skills.  AKA Physical Ability

I prefer to increase the latter, as opposed to the former.  Although 
Stamina has it's merits, I strongly feel that ability is a much more 
important tool to any diver.

Stamina is something that the instructor can do little to increase during 
a one month, two month or one week course.  Ability is something that you 
can increase while you participate in a course.

Your instructor can insist that you perform the rescue perfectly, and 
even though you may never quite get perfect, you know that you have 
learned - your ability to successfully rescue a diver in need has 
increased.

Knowing that you strived to perform that task as close to 'perfection' as 
humanly possible may give you the confidence to perform that task well in 
a time of need.  These practices, these rigorous methods, may prove that 
although it was a mediocre attempt by your own training standards, it 
could be better than some other divers 'best' attempt.  Does that make 
sense?  It sounds arrogant, "my worse attempt is still better than your 
best attempt."  But the philosophy is rather sound...

My two cents.
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