I think the certifying agencies are most of the problem. Every week, I see
the same scene - students with no apparent talent for diving. It looks like
they were forced unwillingly to dive. And, I'll never forget the 12 year old
Advanced Diver with five dives. She was the daughter of a PADI Instructer.
As soon as these divers get in, the water turns to muck. ...Bouancy?
...What's that?

Brad ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸¸><((((º>

Speaking as a Divemaster that works with students under the same or similar
or sometimes worse conditions...

Too many instructors push too many students too far too fast.  Too many
instructors ignore the agency standards.  Too many agencies want money money
money.  Too many instuctors try to do without assistance in low vis
conditions. Shop I work with puts 1 DM with each student whenever possible
and there is NEVER more that a 2:1 student to DM ratio.  But... that is the
odd case.

It is all about money.  It costs money to get a load of DMs.  It costs money
to follow the standards to the letter.  And if a few die, so what? That is
what insurance is for.  (note that this is sarcasm)

CH