Read these five, in this order.

I grew up on an island in Tonga, in and out of the water since I could walk. My father took me to the reef to dive for fish when I was a boy, and I learned the sea from him: the tides, the currents and when to stay on the shore. Years later I learned the part he never taught me, which is how to breathe, how to rest and how to dive safely with a buddy.

Now I teach it. The letters are written from the lagoon, in plain words, with a mask, a boat and a training log. What I sell are the things I use with beginners: a buddy checklist, an equalising guide, breathing cards, a training plan and two video courses, one for first dives and one for your ears. I do not sell gear or lessons. I teach what to practise on land and in shallow water, and I say again and again: never dive alone.