GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
The dropout rate is sad, but true IMO. Many of the agencies minimize training and lower the criteria in order to appeal to the largest possible audience and maximize profits. This works for them ($$) and fits with the demand for instant gratification we tend to fall into, but encourages a lot of people to enter the sport who are not prepared to spend the money, time and energy to master it to a reasonable extent. Diving is not brain surgery, but there is a significant learning curve that demands a chunk of time and resources many are not willing or able to devote to it.