Why not? It surely is, for some. What can be done to keep them from dropping out?
I give you two reasons : One those you purchased gear before getting their cert.
Two those who are renting gear for training already have an idea of what scuba cost and can incrementally start purchasing
their gear as funds become available.
WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY!
As far as what can be done to keep them from dropping out , I was trying to get some of you guys to come up with suggestions.
The only thing I can think, that assuming they have lost interest because there "NOT FEELING IT" then this means the Scuba Bug never really bit them.
The LDS or Instructor could help in this area I believe. First find out who they plan to dive with, family member, friend, wife, husband, if they have no one to dive with then I would guess this would be your first pic to help out. Try and get them accommodated with others who can dive with that person. Remember since it is a new diver it will be uncomfortable for them to dive with very experienced divers. It can diminish their confidence and perhaps demotivate them to continue diving. They are learning and everything needs to be done slowly so as to build confidence. Everything from getting the gear on and checking it to dropping down and equalizing. It won't be easy for the dive buddy to deal with so perhaps an understanding instructor will have more patience.
Building their confidence and getting them stoked about the dive is all I can think of in order to help some of these divers.
But this is just my opinion. I really don't what else can be done.
Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear
---------- Post added June 17th, 2015 at 10:46 PM ----------
I really liked the line a few posts back saying "we'll train you to be an underwater explorer".
if I was someone who new nothing about diving but always wanted to try, that line would be better than something as simple as "Be a diver" or "try diving".
So how exactly do I become a diver? And where do I go to try it?
The "We'll train you" part tells me that all I have do is walk in and somebody will be there to sign me up and show me everything I'll need to know. The "underwater explorer" part suggests that I'm not just getting trained to go look at pretty fishes while holding hands with a dive guide. Instead, I'll be trained way beyond that to go do something really cool and advanced beyond just looking at pretty fishes.
The main heyday of diving was mainly populated by the baby boom generation when I got into scuba. I was mid 30's and was at the younger end of the scale even then. Since then most of the baby boomers that I knew have either gotten too old, died, moved on, or quit for some other reason. The newer generation younger than me now has other interests. Diving is something their parents did but they don't do. I'm kind of an in betweener, not old not young.
I think a lot of the spark and interst in diving back then was because it was a cool new technology, and because it was an adventure era. Then also we had movies and TV depicting diving as a daring and adventurous activity. The underwater realm was a mysterious place just waiting to be explored.
Low level auto racing was also big back then. There were hundreds of small tracks of all sorts around the country. SoCal had numerous as did NorCal but all of them eventually closed due to lack of interest, different tastes of the public, and in auto design and functionality/changes and trends, not mention insurance hikes and increased operating costs.
Can anyone else think of a sporting activity that died out with a generation?
Anybody remember roller derby?
Some things just cycle out. I sure wish there was some way to bring it back.
I'm glad you like my message of being a trained underwater explorer. This is the Image you want to project to a potential diver.I believe it gives us something we can IDENTIFY with.
Its good that we try and think of new ways we can improve our Image, I believe this makes bold statement. Who knows perhaps if it is repeated enough times it might catch on and become the new Industry slogan!
Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear