Why I prefer to let my diving students take off early

The question of whether diving students should kneel or float at the beginning is a constant source of debate – and not just among instructors. Over the years, I have seen many approaches, tried them out and discussed them with colleagues. My clear but undogmatic position is that practising hovering from the outset makes it much easier later on. It may not always look elegant at first, but the learning effect is enormous – and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Where does kneeling actually come from?

Kneeling on the bottom seems to be very firmly anchored in diving training – but why? Originally, this was perhaps mainly due to the equipment: the first jackets (Horse Collar BCDs) created a rather upright buoyancy, buoyancy control was a matter of luck, and without an inflator the whole thing was an adventure anyway. It was simply more comfortable for students and instructors to “park” themselves on the ground. And even today, kneeling still seems natural to many beginners – after all, we want to look at each other, communicate and somehow feel “safe”.

Is kneeling really easier?

At first glance: yes. Those who kneel have less to coordinate, can concentrate on the actual exercise and feel safe. It is also more comfortable for the instructor because the group sits “orderly” at the bottom. However, this comfort comes at a price. Once you have internalized kneeling, you will always return to it later – even when it is no longer necessary (or even harmful).

When guiding, you always see divers who have never done any hovering in their entire training. Like the experienced diver who reflexively kneels on the bottom to blow out his mask – regardless of whether he is 5 or 25 meters deep. Or the guide who pulled a diver with only a little air left from 5m to the bottom at 14m, only to offer him the octopus there – while kneeling. That really shouldn’t happen.

Floating from the start: The better way?

Of course, floating often looks awkward for beginners at first. The first attempts are sometimes more reminiscent of a sack of potatoes than an elegant diver. Sometimes the bottom is touched and not everyone immediately maintains perfect balance. But: it’s a much shorter way from “I’m lying on the ground” to “I’m floating in a reasonably controlled manner” than getting someone out of the habit of kneeling again. Anyone who learns to orientate, tare and trim themselves in the water right from the start quickly develops a feeling for their own position – and later becomes a much safer and more environmentally friendly diver.

How do you get started with hovering?

• Practice buoyancy control and trim right from the start: If you need a little more lead at the very beginning, fine – but then you should reduce it quickly. Less lead = better floating.

• Test your trim: just stand still, hold your breath and see where you tilt. Then adjust your weight and equipment.

• Practicing hovering skills: Not everything has to work perfectly straight away. In the beginning, you can lie down or half-kneel – but the sooner the hovering exercises work, the better.

• Allow for mistakes: Nobody floats like a pro the first time. If you never touch the ground, you’ve probably never tried anything.

What do the associations say?

Most associations (SSI, PADI, CMAS) now recommend floating as a goal – at least in theory. In practice, however, there is still a lot of kneeling worldwide. The “floaters” are rather exotic. I think it’s worth being a pioneer here and introducing students to floating from the very beginning.

Conclusion: Floating is the goal – and the way there can sometimes be bumpy

My approach: start floating as early as possible, even if it looks chaotic at the beginning. The aim is not for beginners to glide through the water like professionals, but for them to have the confidence to let go and feel comfortable in the water. If you practise this right from the start, you will later become a more relaxed, safer and more environmentally friendly diver. And let’s be honest: who wants to spend their whole life on their knees when you can fly?

With this in mind, it’s better to take off than to kneel down – with fun, patience and a portion of composure.