How has the economy affected your diving?

[SelkieDVM]

I am the first to admit, first off, that I am much more fortunate than the majority of the world's population. But my income, or at least concerns about my income, has taken a toll on my diving. I'm still planning on that trip to the Galapagos, but my plans for a drysuit and advanced training this year have gone by the wayside.

So, have financial concerns changed your immediate diving plans?

 

[andrejs]

yeah I can't even dream of going overseas at this point. Really stinks. I am trying to save up to do at least a few local dives now and then with hopes of things getting back to normal. (The architecture firm I work at laid off people, and I am on half-time) I'm still lucky to have work, especially since I was the last/youngest one to join the office.

 

[ScubaSteve]

So far no. Thankfully we have been fortunate to date and I tend to see life through a sunny filter (not always reality though ). I have tried to get smarter about my spending however we are still planning a trip to Thailand in November.....but because of possible uncertainty I chose to NOT take the extra week unpaid so that I could get away this winter. Man does that suck but I am still much more fortunate than others so I am thankful.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Of Course, The economic issues lead to massive layoffs in my area which included many businesses that we did repair work for which in tern lead to me being laid off. That caused me some serious issues and means that I am for sure not getting my rebreather this year and making a suit heater, tank tumbler, and various other DIY projects requiring use of shop tools from work are out the window. The trips to Mexico and Florida are both out of the question as is the Rebreather class, trip to Isle Royal, sidemount class, and many other aspirations.

Its gonna be a dull year I fear, unless I catch a good break somehow, and its only looking worse with a shrinking job market and little chance of ever being called back to my job. Being trapped with some credit card debt limits my ability to relocate and recent vehicle issues makes me worried about traveling to far from home for work.

 

[DiverBizz]

My dive trip has been put on hold. I am not able to take the boats (my fav) and now have to beach dive (not my fav as a matter of fact I have yet to do one this year).

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

So far the economy hasn't affected my diving at all ... I'm still working and making the same as before, and that's what determines it for me.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Straegen]

I am probably an oddball here, but the economy has increased my vacationing and thus recreational activities. The cost of trips and such have been falling. We just booked a cruise at an extremely good price by comparison to the last few years. Living in GA, I am waiting for FL vacation prices to really start dropping but they seem to be staying relatively high by comparison to other locations. I figure a really tough high season like the one probably coming up will get those prices down and us out even more.

 

[kjvander]

just the weather....haven't been able to take any trips and i can't see paying to do check out dives on location....so here i sit in the winter bliss and wait for the thaw..

 

[SelkieDVM]

Paranoia may be playing a role with me. I have plenty of work at the moment and really can't complain, but as an independent contractor I have this feeling that things could dry up any time. I am very conservative when it comes to my own finances.

 

[ligersandtions]

The economy really has not affected my diving at all.

I'm lucky enough to live in a place where the shore diving is amazing....and practically free (just the cost to fill my tanks and drive to the site). I have almost no desire to go anywhere else for the forseeable future....that's not completely true, but I have almost no desire to go anywhere tropical (any dive trip I take in the future will likely to to colder waters, with the exception of a family trip to Hawaii).

The only thing the economy has done is made it so that I don't really even consider doing boat dives. However, my salary has gone up slightly and cost of living has stayed relatively the same....so even if the economy weren't in the dumps, I probably still would not be making boat dives. I'm very happy where I am and even if the economy was not an issue, my diving would probably remain about the same.