Why Small Class Sizes Matter for Your Open Water Diver Certification

Obtaining your Open Water Diver certification is your gateway to exploring the underwater world, but not all scuba training is the same. One key factor to consider? Class size. At DiVE KS, we keep our classes intentionally small to give you the safest, most personalized, and enjoyable learning experience possible. That means more direct time with your instructor, more time to build confidence in the water and develop your skills, and a more personalized approach.

Other dive shop classes VS DiVE KS. We cap our classes at 5 students to provide you the best possible training experience.

The Difference in Student-to-Instructor Ratios

Many dive shops pack classes full of students with a single instructor. This doesn't offer the personalized attention you deserve to develop confidence and master your skills as a diver. At DiVE KS, we maintain a maximum 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio—often even smaller. Here’s why that makes all the difference:

• More Personalized Instruction – With fewer students, instructors can focus on your specific needs, helping you gain confidence and master skills with precision and care. No room for shortcuts in your scuba diving training. Smaller class sizes mean more one-on-one time with your instructor, ensuring your training is tailored to you, so you can be the confident diver you’re meant to be.

  
  

• Increased Safety and Confidence – Smaller groups contribute to a heightened sense of safety and confidence. A more intimate class size means instructors can closely monitor each diver's progress, guiding you through potential challenges in a more controlled environment. The smaller groups allow for a stronger, more supportive learning environment, where you can feel secure as you develop your skills. Your instructor is there every step of the way, ensuring your safety and mastery of each skill.

  
  

• Better Skill Retention – You’ll spend less time waiting for turns and more time practicing essential skills, leading to better retention. Waiting around in larger classes takes away from valuable training time. Smaller classes allow you more time in the water, honing your skills with immediate feedback, which enhances your learning and boosts retention.

• More Fun & Comfort – Smaller groups mean less crowding, more personalized attention, and an overall more comfortable and enjoyable diving experience. The training is all about you—your safety, your comfort, and your ability to master skills with confidence. With less distraction, you can focus fully on becoming a better diver, making the experience more enjoyable and rewarding for your safety, comfort, and ability to master skills at your own pace.

  
  

Cost vs. Value: What You Need to Know

At first glance, larger classes may seem like a cheaper way to get certified. But the reality? What you "save" upfront often costs you later — in lost confidence, poor skill development, and in some cases, having to pay for retraining or worse, risking your safety.

There are some situations where a larger class might be more manageable — for example, diving in tropical locations with excellent visibility, like the Caribbean, where conditions are more forgiving. But here in New England, where visibility is often limited and conditions can be challenging, smaller classes aren’t just a luxury — they're essential for safety, skill mastery, and confidence.

We believe your training should match the environment you'll actually be diving in. That’s why we keep our classes small and personalized, giving you the strong foundation you need to dive safely and confidently anywhere in the world.

A Student’s Experience: Large vs. Small Class Sizes

One of our students, initially started their training at another dive shop in a large class with over 10 students per instructor. Here’s what they had to say:

"When I first started learning to dive, I was part of a large class with one instructor and 10+ students, and that experience did not set me up for success. As a completely new student, being in a group of over ten people with just one instructor made it difficult to learn not only the techniques but also the safety protocols of diving. I was overwhelmed and uncomfortable from the start."

The lack of personal attention led to unsafe skill development:

"Because of the class size, I didn’t get the individual attention I needed to develop essential skills. For example, I couldn’t even lift the skirt of my mask to practice clearing without panicking when water rushed in, but I was still pushed through and marked as having ‘passed’ this skill portion. It felt like the instructor was more concerned with sticking to a rigid schedule than ensuring student safety. Every student was moved onto the ocean portion of the class no matter what."

And conditions only got worse during the open water portion:

"When the ocean portion began, we were diving in extremely poor conditions. It wasn’t just uncomfortable; it was unsafe. Looking back now as a certified Rescue Diver, I recognize how risky it was to have that many inexperienced divers in those conditions with minimal supervision. The instructor did not pass me because I refused to attempt skills I knew I couldn't safely perform. I was told that if I could just do one skill and not the other, they would pass me. I refused. The other students in the class did not perform the proper skills and were passed. Ironically , I felt relieved I didn't pass because I wasn’t ready, and I knew it."

Realizing the need for proper training, this student reached out to DiVE KS, determined to rebuild their skills the right way. They repeated the training portion with a focus on mastery, safety, and confidence—and that’s exactly what they found.

"Everything changed when I trained at DiVE KS. The smaller class size made all the difference. Kirk took the time to work with me one-on-one and until I developed mastery of each skill in the pool and then we moved into the ocean. That patience and dedication helped me overcome my fears, learn the skills properly, and grow confident in the water. When I passed, I felt fully prepared and confident as a diver."

With the proper training and support at DiVE KS, they were able to build the skills and confidence needed to truly thrive as a diver.

"Since then, I’ve logged over 200 dives, earned my Rescue Diver and Full Face Mask certifications, and have worked in marine conservation doing scientific diving. Even today, I often reflect on my first experience and how easily it could have gone wrong not just for me, but for others as well. Diving is wonderful however it can be dangerous especially when cutting corners when it comes to training."

This student’s journey highlights why quality matters more than quantity in scuba training. No student should ever feel unsafe or unprepared when learning to dive. If you've had a similar experience, we urge you to report it — your safety matters. Every new diver deserves high-quality instruction from a trusted, professional instructor who puts their wellbeing first.

At DiVE KS, your safety, confidence, and success are our mission. We work with you every step of the way, ensuring you master essential skills, build real confidence, and become the capable, prepared diver you're meant to be.

When you train with us, you don't just "get certified" — you become a confident diver. Ready to start your scuba diving journey the right way?👉 Contact us today to join a small-group class, get personalized training, and explore the underwater world with total confidence!