In terms of dive training, what defines 'open water' diving?

Open water diving is defined by conditions that closely resemble those encountered during training. This means that divers should engage in dives that reflect the environments and levels of challenges for which they have been specifically trained. Maintaining consistency between training and actual diving conditions is crucial for safety and skill development, allowing divers to apply learned techniques effectively.

Other options do not accurately capture the essence of open water diving. For example, diving in controlled environments pertains to settings like pools where external factors are minimized, which lacks the unpredictability present in open water. While accessibility by boat may be a consideration for certain dive sites, it doesn't dictate the definition of open water diving itself. Lastly, the emphasis on depth, such as diving greater than 30 meters, is irrelevant to the term "open water" since depth does not solely determine the nature of the dive; rather, it’s about the experiential context that matches the diver's training.