SSI Assistant Instructor Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free Assistant Instructor Practice Questions and Study Guide

Students may experience difficulty while diving, particularly with equalizing, which refers to the process of balancing pressure in the middle ear with the external environment as they descend. This is a common challenge due to anatomical differences, age-related factors, or inexperience. As students dive deeper, they encounter increasing pressure, and if they do not equalize properly, they may experience discomfort or even pain in their ears, which can lead to anxiety and a negative diving experience.

While students can sometimes learn skills quickly, this does not specifically address the primary concerns associated with diving challenges. Additionally, while consuming breathing gas more quickly can be an issue, especially under stress or physical exertion, it does not directly relate to the most common cause of difficulty for inexperienced divers. Thus, although there may be multiple factors at play, the specific difficulty students often face when diving leads to a focus on the challenges of equalizing pressure effectively.