You can either complain or do something about the problem: The choice is YOURS!

[Dr. Lecter]

I'll take the blame for this. I originally wrote this for a group of professionals on Linkedin, many of whom complain incessantly about the state of the industry and how it's declined. We see it in the decline of attendance at the DEMA show which has been nicknamed by some the "travel, trinkets and training show". Frankly, the internet, including ScubaBoard has been blamed by many, including DEMA, for the general malaise of the industry.

It seems like there's a portion of the industry that's confusing the now-less-relevant middlemen with the industry as a whole. While I'm sure it's much less fun for dive pros who are used to there being enough fat in the middle to make for riproaring DEMAs, the reality is that the Brand<-$->Dealer-<$$$->Joe Blow model that once dominated is increasingly being challenged by divers who prefer to (1) buy gear online, and (2) buy from brands where they don't have to go to their LDS to get service/support.

You were demanding numbers for fauxstistics earlier: where's the evidence that there's be a decline in certifications QoverQ or YRoverYR since whatever date you'd like to set? Is non-commercial diving in decline, or, are an equal or greater number of participants just spending their money more efficiently? If it's the latter, I'm not sure that paying for someone's dive vacation so they can make some Youtube videos is really going to help the sport all that much.

 

[flots am]

I would love to see support for this fauxtistic. Drop out rates would indicate otherwise.

That's only because of unrealistic expectations set by the dive industry and ever shorter classes made possible by the certification agencies.

For anybody actually willing to take the time necessary to learn the basic skills needed to dive and practice them until they're easily repeatable and understood well, diving doesn't need to be any more strenuous than mowing the lawn or any more dangerous than driving to the store for a carton of milk.

However for people who have no interest in putting in the effort, and match themselves up with an obliging instructor, SCUBA could easily become terrifying or fatal or just too much work.

This is what happens when you take an activity that requires a measure of training and commitment, and promote it as a casual recreational activity.

 

[The Chairman]

Haters gonna keep on hatin'.

Lector, how many DEMAs have you been to?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Haters gonna keep on hatin'.

Lector, how many DEMAs have you been to?

Is that a refusal to answer a simple question about numbers backing up a claim, or an inability to answer? Either way, your response speaks for itself.

 

[The Chairman]

I could invent numbers or I can try to find them. I don't have them hidden up my butt so it will take some time. Personally, I'm not a fan of fauxstistics. But while you're on your high horse, perhaps you can tell us why you can't answer a simple question about your attendance?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I could invent numbers or I can try to find them. I don't have them hidden up my butt so it will take some time. Personally, I'm not a fan of fauxstistics. But while you're on your high horse, perhaps you can tell us why you can't answer a simple question about your attendance?

Never been to DEMA, simply going off your report concerning its decline above and anecdotal reports from others. Also never suggested I dive for any reason other than fun, although I do spend a lot of money on things like lights, computers, regs, CCRs, DPVs, consumables, accessories, training, and just plain old diving (and dive with a lot of people who do the same).

You let us all know when you've got something to support your claim that receational diving, rather than a particular business model in which you and the gentleman who's seeking to have his diving videography paid for by crowdfunding seem to be involved, is what's in trouble. You may well be correct, but my guesstimate is that it's more of a business model shift than a market contraction. Unlike you and the gentleman whose Kickstarter you're pushing in Basic Scuba, however, I'm perfectly happy to admit I'm not stating a fact when I say what I think about the issue.

 

[The Chairman]

Never been to DEMA

Which explains why you don't see the decline. If I get figures, I will be glad to provide them, but then: I'm relying on DEMA for them and they have never cooperated with me... ever. First rule of diving applies and I won't be holding my breath.

It's my opinion that more people should be diving. It's an awesome sport and we should be showing that to everyone. Hell, that's what ScubaBoard is all about. Do you feel that we don't need additional divers? If so, why?

 

[BUDMANOK]

Do you feel that we don't need additional divers? If so, why?

I would like to ask in all seriousness, not being smart or trying to cause problems,but why do I as a rec diver who has no financial ties to the industry need more divers?

one of the first rules of sales is to explain to the customer what's in it for him/where's the benefit to them. So as a scuba customer I'm asking what's the benefit to me to have more divers?

 

[undrwater]

It sounds more like DEMA then, is in malaise.

More buddies? Yeah sure! Kickstarter campaign to achieve that goal? Having a hard time making the connection.

 

[The Chairman]

I would like to ask in all seriousness, not being smart or trying to cause problems,but why do I as a rec diver who has no financial ties to the industry need more divers?

The more divers we have, the better we are to market to. The better we are to market to, the better deals, gear and experiences will be made available. Most people promote a sport they are participating in. I'm not sure why divers are so different in that respect or if it's just a vocal few who want to be contrarians. ScubaBoard exists for that very reason: to promote Scuba Diving.