This is what I alluded to in my rant when I said I had been freedive spearfishing for a couple of years before I bought scuba gear. I had been shooting fish bigger than I was, getting towed around, and generally getting comfortable in the environment. So when I put on that tank, jumped off the boat in 30 feet of water and went to the bottom, the main feeling I had was "wow, its really neat that I don't have to go up for air- now where is a fish to spear."
But the majority of beginning scuba divers now have no background in freediving, have no idea whether they will be comfortable in the cold murky ocean environment, and many find that they are not comfortable at all. They are so awed by being underwater that the least little thing causes them to panic.
But of course I know that certification organizations are never going to require an extensive freedive background. It would raise the bar way too high, reduce the number of students buying courses, and result in far less scuba gear sold.
BTW, I know I mentioned spearing on scuba, but please lets not reignite that fire. It was legal where I did it, I was young and stupid, and in my old age I have come back to God and do my spearfishing holding my breath.