The truth about the Open Water course: the good, the hard, and the incredible
Did you know that 72% of the planet is water?
Considering that we only have one life, we can probably agree that we should unlock as much of it as possible.
That said, knowing that 72% is water, getting a certification that allows us to discover what lives in it already puts us far ahead. And if we also share that feeling with the people around us and can discover it together, even better.
Unlocking a superpower: breathing underwater for a long time
If you asked me what the best thing about having the Open Water certification is, I could tell you many things: when you travel, you’ll no longer just want to see what everyone else can see, but also what the sea in each place has to offer—and that’s something very few people can say. But without a doubt, what amazes me the most is that you unlock the superpower of breathing underwater for a long time, and that is incredible.
Real expectations and common fears of the Open Water course
At the beginning of my diving journey, I’ll admit that the idea of diving didn’t really attract me. I thought it was going to be something “too technical” for me. Deep down I’d say to myself, where are they going with those oxygen tanks and all that heavy equipment? I didn’t think I’d be able to carry all that gear and stay underwater for so long.
Once I finally decided to do it, I realized that everything worth having in life is on the other side of fear.
During my first contact, I learned that I had to exhale more air than I inhale. We have the natural reflex of holding our breath when we get into the water, but here we must do the opposite—let it out so the next breath truly fills you, and not breathe in shallow layers. The first rule of diving is “never hold your breath.”
Once in the water, the key is to relax and, above all, trust the process.
Diving opened the doors to a dimension that would tie me to it for life. Today I am an instructor trainer, and I can see how diving also changes our students’ lives, which in turn pushes us to continue along this path.
Postscript: For those who already have the certification—we know it’s not called a “tank” but a “cylinder,” and what it contains is air.
Before the Open Water course: what almost everyone feels (even if they don’t say it)
Before starting, most students arrive excited, but also with very common doubts:
1️⃣ Fear of not being able to breathe underwater
“What if water gets into my mask?”
“What if I panic and don’t know what to do?”
👉 This is the number one fear. The unknown creates insecurity, especially when it comes to breathing in a different way.
2️⃣ Doubts about physical condition
“Am I fit enough?”
“I haven’t exercised in years…”
👉 The reality: the Open Water course is not an extreme physical test, but many students think it is.
3️⃣ Nerves about the theory
“Will it be very complicated?”
“Do I have to memorize a lot of things?”
👉 Many people think the course is like a difficult exam, when in reality it’s practical, visual, and guided.
4️⃣ Fear of losing control
“What if I panic underwater?”
“What if I want to go up?”
👉 This fear usually comes from a lack of information. Nobody wants to feel trapped.
After the Open Water course: what no one expects to feel
1️⃣ Total confidence
After the course, students often say:
“I can’t believe I used to be afraid.”
👉 They learn to control their breathing, buoyancy, and to react calmly.
2️⃣ Personal pride
Finishing the Open Water is not just a certification:
👉 It’s a personal victory.
👉 It’s proving to yourself that you can do something that once scared you.
3️⃣ A feeling of freedom
Breathing underwater, moving without weight, observing the seabed…
👉 Many describe it as meditation in motion.
In a few months, you can keep reading about the Open Water… or you can be the one telling the story! The difference is making the decision. Start your diving story with us!
5 replies on “Everything No One Tells You About the Open Water Course”
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