Virtual Reality in Skill-Based Training: Designing and Evaluating an Open Water Diving Simulator for Beginners

This study introduces a Virtual Reality (VR) Open Water Diving Simulator aimed at enhancing experiential learning for novice divers. Traditional diving education often faces barriers such as high equipment costs, logistical constraints, and limited opportunities for safe practice. Guided by the ADDIE instructional design framework, the project analyses learner needs, designed and developed a VR application using Unity and Blender, and implemented it to teach fundamental diving skills, including equipment handling, underwater navigation, and safety procedures. Drawing on experiential learning and situated cognition theories, the simulator provides an interactive, immersive environment where learners can practice skills and receive immediate feedback without real-world risks. Evaluation findings demonstrate that VR increases learner engagement, supports skill acquisition, and replicates lifelike underwater scenarios conducive to foundational training. Although technical limitations and alignment with formal certification standards remain challenges, the results highlight VR's potential as a costeffective, adaptable, and scalable tool for skill-based education. This V R in education by illustrating its application in high-risk, equipmentintensive domains such as diving.