Career · 16 Nov 2025
Doing your Open Water course is an exciting thing — a new adventure, really. When you start, you'll be assigned an instructor, but every instructor is different. The way they teach, how they demonstrate skills, and even how they mark those skills all come down to the instructor you're paired with.
Every instructor has their own strengths in what they're best at teaching. This individuality stems not just from their training, but from their personal background and diving experience. For example, an instructor who previously worked in underwater photography may excel at demonstrating buoyancy control and stillness, while another with a background in marine biology might bring a passion for environmental awareness into their lessons, making the course more engaging for those interested in aquatic life.
Some instructors are by-the-book lecturers, meticulously breaking down the physics and physiology of diving. Others are hands-on motivators, preferring to spend more time practising in the water, relying on muscle memory and constant positive reinforcement. This diversity is what makes the industry so rich, yet it's also the key reason why the student-instructor match is crucial.
The core skills taught in the Open Water course are standardised, but the method of delivery is not. An instructor might use vivid analogies to explain pressure, or demonstrate a skill like mask clearing using a specific, highly personalised technique they've perfected over years. Furthermore, while certification agencies set minimum performance requirements, the instructor holds the power of interpretation in how they judge a student's success. One instructor might value flawless technique above all else, while another might prioritise a student's calmness and confidence when dealing with a challenge, even if the execution isn't perfect.
Keeping in mind that each instructor has their own strengths, this also means that the instructor who works best will vary greatly from student to student. Sometimes a student may feel stuck on a skill or feel they're not progressing. It's important to remember that this isn't necessarily the student's fault, nor is it the instructor's — it could simply be that the instructor they're working with isn't the best suited to their individual learning style.
Learning to dive should be fun and confidence-building. If a student feels undue pressure, confusion, or a lack of connection with their teacher, it creates an unnecessary barrier to learning. A visual learner struggling with a purely lecture-based approach, or a student who needs more patience feeling rushed by a fast-paced instructor, are both common scenarios.
The student is more than welcome to ask to change instructors during their training. It's a reasonable request that reflects self-awareness and a commitment to safe diving, not a failure. Most dive centres understand that a good student-teacher connection leads to a safer, more competent diver, and are usually happy to facilitate a switch to ensure the student's success and enjoyment.