What is the BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO DIVING?

[gcbryan]

Diving involves unnatural activities (breathing while underwater) so fear is a factor for some and unless one has a strong desire to do it in the first place there is no overwhelming reason to do so.

It's why I don't bungee jump for example. It's unnatural and I just don't have a particular desire to do it in the first place.

I think cost is probably the biggest reason that people don't continue after certification as well as finding suitable buddies. I got certified and didn't dive after that because I couldn't afford all the gear at the time and I didn't want to waste money by renting. Later I bought all my gear but still didn't dive because I didn't have any dive buddies and therefore didn't build up that initial experience you need to stay in diving.

Quite a few years later I started up again with a passion and things were quite different this time as the internet helped with finding dive buddies and once I started actually diving on a regular basis I stayed with it.

My most regular dive buddies have now more or less quit diving again and my own diving is now much less that it was several years ago although I'm still an active diver by most standards.

There are many reasons people don't get into diving in the first place and don't stay with it afterward.

 

[pir8]

But now you're a kindred soul. we both tried out our doubles in the pool on the same weekend. Any time you want free lodging in south florida, just let me know.

We've got $50 boat trips to some great (warmish water) wrecks.

Are they 1 or 2 tank boat trips?

 

[shoupart]

I think that for new divers, there are so many little issues that everybody's brought up here- ear pressure, clearing mask, uncomfortable wetsuits, etc- that it overwhelms them.

From my own beginnings, I remember being nervous about having to breathe so much slower and it took me a few minutes to get used to it.

I also hated putting on a wetsuit (mainly because it was too small for me) and vowed to only dive in warm waters where I'd never need a wetsuit.

The joke was on me when I moved to California.

 

[Nursediver]

It's an expensive hobby.

Also, my husband and I are dive buddies and we can't get many other couples involved because most of my fellow females are afraid, even though I reassure them. That is a bummer for me. Guess I'll have to be one of the guys!

 

[jason.elias]

I've also learned that you can get started with some basic equipment for fairly cheap.

That's an important point you RARELY hear.

I also wonder if the whole process of Diving doesn't get in the way. We all must admit that the ratio of time actually underwater, to the time getting ready for the day, getting out to the site, getting back home and cleaning up afterwards is pretty low... And it becomes exponentially so if, for example, you happen to live 700 miles away from a beach...

I live at a beach and it is still difficult for me to get it all together for a Dive. I know that if I bought all the gear so I didn't have to rent anymore, had a way to fill my tank so I didn't need to hit a Dive shop, and had a boat so I could get to less Dived sites, I could do it fairly inexpensively (course, boats are far from frugal). But those are BUNCH of stages that newbies might see they have to go through just to get started. And even if we simply talk about beach Diving, there is still the cost of buying or renting everything and the physical aspect of dragging it down to the beach...

I realize that I might lack the commitment that others have for Diving, but I see the organization required to go Diving as an obstacle to something I love. And I wonder if it might seem too much of a hassle for people who have yet to get certified..?

Am I wrong in this?

 

[redrover]

From my experience my guess would be it is a serious sport. Something you really can’t just dabble around with and see if you like it or not and it takes specific gear.

For example I was invited to play tennis and golf. I’d never played either, nor took any lessons. A friend simply pointed out a few key aspects and more detail as the minutes there passed. I was no natural player yet I had a great time. Although literally clueless how to play, I was never in any danger. It did not matter one iota how knowledgeable, patient, observant, qualified, experienced my friend was accompanying me the first time on the court or green. If I didn’t understand how the equipment worked or how to use it properly; so what?

You mention a comparison to skiing for cost and time. A lift ticket is expensive now (my first season pass was $50) but a day pass gives the holder unlimited number of runs well into the evening at many resorts. Back 10 years ago the tram at Snowbird took 15 minutes to gain 3,000 ft. for another run. There is no required rest period but taken at individual discretion and the only timing issue is the resort’s opening and closing time.

I got a reduced rate here on Sunday for a 2 tank boat dive @ $100. Granted I’d have less cost and more freedom if I shore dove but I’d still be limited or have to plan what and how I dove. And from the same entrance I’d have a limited amount of terrain I could cover or explore vs. acres and acres of ski runs.

When I first heard of diving, or that anyone can learn to do it 37 years ago, I was very intrigued. However I chose to reside where diving is not an accepted or common local sport. For instance tennis courts abound and it is a common elective in high schools. Where I lived one could dive but frankly there were better things to do in it’s natural environment. A popular one, and taught in Elementary School classes was skiing. World Class skiing in fact. I visited ScuBase in the vicinity and frankly it did not entice me enough to learn to dive, just to see what they said was down there. Nor did any divers sound real excited about what was. It was akin to a rope tow with one short run, woopee.

Fortunately I had reason to move to a renowned diving location. It too (oddly enough) had skiing on a limited basis. And now I no longer ski, I dive.

I think why more people don’t dive or dive more often is pretty much a no brainer. Kick and glide gets hum drum quickly if that’s all there is to do. It isn’t easy, takes years of technical training and experience to explore caves and wrecks. All the pretty to see and warm pleasant surroundings aren’t where the bulk of the population resides. I would guess the state with the most divers is Florida and least Nevada. People will tend to do things more often when it is convenient, easy and pleasant to.

 

[kdove]

It's the pesky TSA asking me to remove all my piercings before boarding the plane to a dive destination.

 

[reel-wild]

well i have aboat good gear for 2 extra divers live less than one1/2 hrs from ocean or quarry so all i need is someone with a willing mind to dive i have a answer for all the money and gear problems every time i ask my buddys to dive cant afford to rent gear i can say got you coverd next excuse

 

[Clammy]

I think that for new divers, there are so many little issues that everybody's brought up here- ear pressure, clearing mask, uncomfortable wetsuits, etc- that it overwhelms them.

From my own beginnings, I remember being nervous about having to breathe so much slower and it took me a few minutes to get used to it.

I also hated putting on a wetsuit (mainly because it was too small for me) and vowed to only dive in warm waters where I'd never need a wetsuit.

The joke was on me when I moved to California.

I find it pretty hard to get people to even try diving, well before they ever experience mask clearing, equalizing, and uncomfortable wetsuits!

 

[aic007]

I wish I started earlier, never had the time or money between work and my other hobbies. Got started 2 years ago and try to plan at least one trip a year. Living in NY and not being a fan of wetsuits I have no desire to dive locally though I might give it a shot this summer.

My friend that came to Sharm with me was afraid of diving and durring my dives one of the DM on the boat convinced her to try it and suited her up and got her in the water. Now she is planning on getting certified once she is finished with school this summer and plans on going back. I think the scenery is what really changed her mind. She never expected it to be that beautiful and relaxing.

I try to get other friends into it but one has a problem equalizing, and most other either aren't interested or are too busy to get into something new. Atleast I know I have one person who I can dive with whenever he is free, and I also don't have much of a problem going off on a dive trip on my own but there is that damn double occupancy that gets in the way sometimes. Got find a nice woman who either dives or is willing to learn.