As I watched the video I was wondering why the instructor was not in a better position to instantly assist the student if there was a problem.
He is in fine position to assist the student. I could post several clips showing exactly that, but I won't. Besides, surge was very light in the pool the day that vid was shot.
I was certified in 78' and we learned skills on our knees, but it was a 12 session course and a great deal of time was spent on buoyancy control. The instructors worked from their knees and when I became an AI, I worked from mine.
When I became a DC, everyone taught and reviewed while kneeling and so did I. As an instructor, I went through the IDC on my knees.
I know what it's like to teach on my knees, but have discovered teaching from a hover provides more flexibility without adding risk.
As an instructor, I need to respond to safety issues in the pool. I might be doing skills with a student and suddenly need to intercept a descending student who is about to crash into another student. I may see students engaging in unsafe activities and need to intervene. If I'm nailed to the bottom, it takes longer to respond.
In OW, nobody is on their knees. Our waters are pretty cold and having students on their knees reduces their ability to stay warm. We do skills on the move and in the column.
The question I have for those who think kneeling is a better position is this: How many times have you tried working from the column? If you haven't tried it or been exposed to it, how can you make an informed decision?