[scubak3ato]

Hi ya,
i was always taught that the area you qualify in, is the area that you are certified for and therefore if you qualify in the UK waters then you should be made aware of smb's and reels. Thus being, if you do your dives off the coast using a boat then boat skills will be taught as part of your openwater dives

The thing is on dive 1 through to dive 4 most people had enough to contend with on buoyancy and there positioning in the water. appropriate use of lpi/dry suit inflator/vent exhaust correct descents and ascents. buddy pairs etc..

Learning to dive is like driving your car, once you passed, not everyone feels ready to make a romp up the motorway @ 70mph in an Aston
The fundimentals on safety are set and you should be made aware of all other equipment or evironmental changes in the places they are most likely to visit.
I would always recommend newly qualified divers, from whatever training organisation spends time with a more qulaified diver/dive professional learning skills suitable for the environment they will be diving in if that means, smb/reels, boat entry and exits then that is when you are ready to absorb the extra information and move onto the next stage




Comments from Janos, i think that all divers instructor or skilled dive buddies should offer advice and mentoring, it is the only way we all learn to adapt in the enviroment we are diving in.