Scuba Diving Industry™ Magazine published by Cline Group, LLC. Printed and mailed to all dive retailers in the USA and digitally delivered to over 17,500 dive professionals in 165 countries. Published monthly, so "Start a Conversation" with your Business Customers!
JULY 2025 PUBLISHED BY CLINE GROUP SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
GARMIN’S NEW SONAR TECHNOLOGY DIVING IN THE ALPS ATTITUDE IN TRAINING BUSINESS LESSONS FROM SHARKS
ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS SCUBA FIT? SO YOU BOUGHT A DIVE SHOP, NOW WHAT? AGING DIVERS RANDOM ACCIDENTS & LIABILITY
Photo by Mandy Etpison, Owner of Neco Marine. A Reef Manta Ray (Manta Alfredi) and Remoras, German Channel, Koror, Palau.
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SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE • JULY 2025
CONTENTS PAGE 5 FROM THE PUBLISHER How Big Are We as a Global Industry in Terms of Sales? PAGE 7 SAFETY Dan Orr: What Does Age Have To Do With It?
ADVERTISERS 2 & 3 Aggressor Adventures 6 Divers Alert Network (DAN) 8 Books by Dan Orr/Best Publishing 9 Big Animals Global Expeditions 10 Aggressor Adventures 11 Take Our Subscriber Survey & Win 13 Alex Brylske’s Book by Reef Smart 15 Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba 16 Sea Experience, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 16 Stream2Sea Reef Safe Products 21 Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan 26 Make A Di ff erence Challenge 28 Fog-X Mask Defogging Film 29 Blue Force Fleet Liveaboards 31 Sau Bay Resort & Spa, Fiji 32 Deep Blue Adventures Travel 32 Volivoli Beach Resort, Fiji 33 X-Ray Magazine 34 New Podcast Series for Retailers 35 SeaCure Custom Mouthpieces 35 ScubaRadio 36 Visit Cayman Islands | ISDHF 37 Diveplanit Travel Planners 39 Explorer Ventures Liveaboards BACK COVER DEMA 41 Level Up Video Podcasts 41 Marketing Minutes Video Podcasts 41 Level Up: From Behind The Counter Video Podcasts 42 Article Index 21 ScubaWeather.com 23 All Star Liveaboards 24 Clear Story Coach 26 Wayne B. Brown Book
PAGE 17 PHOTO PRO
PAGE 25 RETAILING Shelli Hendricks, Ph.D.: Managing Peak Season: Stop Burnout Before It Starts PAGE 26 INNOVATION Gil Zeimer: Garmin’s SubWave Sonar Technology
Amos Nachoum: Behind The Lens: Mobula Rays are Diamonds in the Sky
PAGE 18 TRAVEL
PAGE 19 RETAILING Michael and Rachael Welling: The Giant Stride: We Bought A Dive Shop – Now What? PAGE 20 TRAINING Gretchen M. Ashton: Creating a Healthier Scuba Diving Business with a Fitness Profit Center David Prichard & Lily Mak: Planning That Long-Haul Group Bucket List Trip
PAGE 28 TRAINING
PAGE 9 TRAINING
Joel Silverstein: Time to Tighten the Standards in Nitrox Gas Analysis
Al Hornsby: Accidents in the Blue Too-Often Aren’t Accidents ‘Out of the Blue’ PAGE 11 BUSINESS EDU William Cline: Shark Forward: Stay Sharp in Mid-Summer PAGE 12 ECO PRO
PAGE 33 TRAVEL
Peter Symes: Attersee Lake in Austria, Diving in the Alps
PAGE 34 RETAILING Jeff Cinciripino:
Keeping Divers Diving by Selling the Big Three PAGE 38 INDUSTRY NEWS John Christopher Fine, J.D.: Dr. Sylvia Earle’s Focus On Ocean Conservation
PAGE 22 BUSINESS EDU
Alex Brylske, Ph.D.: Training a Complete Diver: Attitude is Everything
Cathryn Castle Garcia: Vision, Values, Mission: Making Statements That Benefit Your Business
PAGE FOUR | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
HOW BIG ARE WE AS A GLOBAL INDUSTRY IN TERMS OF SALES?
How big is our industry, really? That question comes up often – and for good reason. While there are a few studies and even a book or two floating around, most esti- mates of the global dive market vary widely. Why? Because the dive industry is largely private. With very few publicly traded companies, there’s little obligation to report earnings, making reliable data hard to come by. Most industry estimates rely on data from a small handful of known companies, then attempt to extrapolate the rest. But given the highly fragmented and global nature of our industry, that method is flawed at best. It’s like trying to estimate the size of the ocean by looking at a single reef. So how did Scuba Diving Industry Magazine arrive at our numbers? We started with what’s concrete: revenue data from DEMA’s surveys of U.S. dive retailers. With a known total of approximately 966 brick-and-mortar dive retailers in the U.S., we were able to calculate reliable sales figures. We then expanded that base to include approximately 2,000 independent instructors and hybrid operators, based on our internal research. Lastly using DEMA’s consumer studies, we can de- rive what percentage of sales come from retailers using reverse extrapolation. The results? We estimate the total U.S. dive industry generates just under $1 billion annually, broken down as follows: Gross Training Travel Equipment $961,595,238 $113,500,000 $445,666,667 $402,428,571 Multiple studies suggest the U.S. makes up 30% of global sales, so extrapolating globally, then accounting for the estimated percentage of retailer vs. consumer direct sales, we estimate the entire worldwide dive industry is worth $8.2 billion, as shown: Gross Training Travel Equipment $8,236,677,249 $744,055,556 $5,100,407,407 $2,392,214,286 What does this mean for you – as a dive retailer, resort, instructor, or manufac- turer? It means the industry you're part of isn't niche – it's a thriving, multibillion- dollar global economy. And with strategic thinking, collaboration, and data-driven decisions, your slice of that pie can grow. Look for more of this analysis in upcoming articles, but for now, these are prob- ably the most reliable global numbers ever created to accurately reflect where the recreational scuba industry is, sales-wise, as of 2024. Feel free to email me with questions.
Scuba Diving Industry ™ Magazine: (Print: ISSN 2996- 1416, Digital: ISSN 2996-1424) Published monthly by Cline Group LLC, 1740 Airpark Lane, Plano, TX 75093. Printed copies are mailed within the USA to select dive retailers & advertisers. Subscriptions are free to dive pro- fessionals & distributed digitally to 165 countries. POST- MASTER send address changes to Scuba Diving Industry Magazine, 1740 Airpark Ln., Plano, TX 75093. Any part of this publication may be reproduced, as long as the source is quoted “Scuba Diving Industry Magazine.” For ed- itorial requests, email william@williamcline.com or 972-267- 6700. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the offi- cial policy or position of Cline Group LLC or any of its af- filiates. © 2025, all rights reserved by Cline Group LLC. David Prichard & Lily Mak, Dallas, TX Amos Nachoum, Pacific Grove, CA Dan Orr, Driggs, ID Michael Connors & Rachael Scott, MI Joel Silverstein, Havasu City, AZ Peter Symes, Denmark Gil Zeimer, San Rafael, CA Gretchen M. Ashton, Carlsbad, CA Alex Brylske, Ph.D., Avon Park, FL William Cline, Plano, TX Jeff Cinciripino, Rocky Hill, CT Cathryn Castle Garcia, Azores, Portugal John Fine, J.D., Boynton Beach FL Shelli Hendricks, Ph.D., Sun City West, AZ Al Hornsby, Singapore William Cline, Publisher Patty Cline, Associate Publisher Amber Wagenknecht, Executive Editor Betty Orr, Copy Editor Neal Watson, Sr., Editor-at-Large Britain Cline, Advertising Sales Manager Carlos Lander, Latin America Ad Sales Gavin Young, SE Asia Ad Sales June Cline, Social & Podcast Producer Contributors: SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE JULY 2025 VOL. 2, NO. 7
email William email Britain email Gavin email Carlos
William Cline, Publisher
PAGE FIVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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SAFETY What Does Age Have To Do With It? – by Dan Orr, President, Dan Orr Consulting
Since 2022, I have offered nearly 100 free webinars on a number of diving safety-related topics to any interested group. One my most popular webinar topics is “Safety Issues for the Older Diver.” And just about every time I do
submit a medical certificate signed by a physician. Most ex- pedition visitors to Greenland have been totally unaware of this requirement but it has just recently become an enforced requirement. The expedition ship company we travel with now includes the Greenland Medical Certificate as part of their required paperwork for those passengers 66 years old and older. Over the years there have been numerous reports of tour operators, some associated with cruise lines and some not, either denying guests the opportunity to dive if they are be- yond a certain age or requiring them to submit a medical his- tory questionnaire, possibly requiring a physician’s signature, to be able to scuba dive or snorkel. I have heard reports that the age of concern can be as low as 60 but most frequently work’s credit, even though they at one time, told their mem- bership that diving accident insurance could not be sold to those 70 and over, have since publicly stated that they would not deny coverage for any insured member regardless of age. In my opinion, DAN did the right thing for their member- ship, especially the older diver. Unfortunately, other diving accident insurance carriers may not be so understanding. It’s critical to check with the provider of your diving accident in- surance to make sure that your coverage is intact and does not have any restrictions due to age. Some travel or trip insurance policies may have age limits or exclusions for pre-existing conditions for those over a cer- tain age, usually 70 or 75 according to some travel insurance websites. It's crucial to review all policy details carefully and potentially seek specialized travel insurance for older travelers. Why, you may ask, are divers seemingly being discriminated against simply based on their age? This is partly due to the actuarial data insurance companies use to decide upon cov- erage limitations. However, when you look at the actual diving accident data when it comes to decompression illness (de- compression sickness and arterial gas embolism), the older diver is not over-represented in those accident statistics. There may, however, be some travel benefits that come with age. Passengers 75 and older may be eligible for expedited the age of concern seems to be 70 or beyond. As you may know, some diving accident in- surance companies decided that the cut off age for diving acci- dent insurance coverage would be 70. To Divers Alert Net-
this webinar or conduct a seminar on that subject at a diving consumer show, I get questions about real or perceived limi- tations due to a diver’s age. I also help lead expeditions for a company called Blue Green Expeditions to places around the world including the Antarctic and Arctic. On an upcoming expedition, we are planning to offer diving and snorkeling at Silfra (www.dive.is) in Iceland. Silfra is a unique dive location where the North
American and Eurasian tectonic plates are very close together as they slowly move apart. It is one of the world’s most unique div- ing locations where you can ac- tually put your hands on both tectonic plates simultaneously. It
has been designated as some of the clearest water in the world with visibility measured at nearly 1,000 feet (305 meters). During one of the webinars on “Safety Issues for the Older Diver,” someone said they had “heard” (probably on the in- ternet) that divers 60 years old and older were not permitted to dive or snorkel at Silfra. My response was that I had not heard of any such a restriction, but I would certainly find out. I called the dive center at Silfra and was told that there was no such restriction BUT every diver and snorkeler must fill out the Diving Silfra Medical Statement AND divers 60 and older must have that form signed by a physician. The Diving Silfra Medical Statement is available from the diving/snor- keling tour operator in Iceland. The upcoming expedition that I am helping to lead for Blue Green Expeditions to the Arctic includes a few days of diving at Silfra. As required, I filled out the Diving Silfra Medical Statement, had my physician evaluate my health status and sign the form allowing me to snorkel at Silfra. The itinerary of this expedition to the Arctic, also includes a few days of diving and snorkeling in Greenland. The coun- try of Greenland has had a requirement on the books for years that expedition participants aged 66 or over or those with a disability or medical condition(s) wishing to enter Greenland territory (diving, snorkeling or just touring) must
PAGE SEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY continued screening by the TSA, which could involve leaving shoes and light jackets on during screening and, in some countries, sen- ior travelers have priority boarding privileges. There is one other area where the diver’s age is important. That is when it comes to health maintenance. It is strongly recommended that beginning at age 45, divers have an annual physical examination preferably from a healthcare profes-
stand how important scuba diving or snorkeling is to your lifestyle. As we know, scuba diving and snorkeling can be very beneficial to your health both physical and mental (March issue of Scuba Diving Industry Magazine –“The Mental Health Benefits of Scuba Diving.”) If your healthcare professional knows that time in the water scuba diving or snorkeling is im- portant to you, they are less likely to simply exercise a cautious
approach when evaluating your fitness to dive by simply saying you should hang up your fins. However, and this is extremely important, diving or snorkeling should NEVER be so impor- tant that engaging in it puts you or others at risk.
sional familiar with diving medicine and your life priori- ties. It is pretty obvious that the person evaluating your fitness to dive should have some fa- miliarity with diving medicine so that they can make the cor- rect decisions. If, however, they
Jean-Michel Cousteau @ 87 years young.
are not schooled in diving and hyperbaric medicine, the DAN Medical Department can be a valuable resource for your healthcare professional when it comes to evaluating your medical fitness to dive. If you are looking for a healthcare professional that has some training in diving medicine, the Medical Department at DAN has a Physician Referral Net- work with a list of hundreds of physicians of many special- ties. The DAN Medical Department can give you or your physician contact information for someone who has training in diving medicine. The other thing I recommend is that your physician under-
There may be organizations, including tour operators and dive charters who may try to implement some barrier to en- gaging in scuba diving, snorkeling or other watersports purely based upon your age. And there may be little you can do about it because it is, after all, their company and they may only be following the advice of their attorneys, liability insur- ance providers, insurance actuaries or it could even be as ridiculous as something they read on the internet. Therefore, it is wise to know as much as you can before you plan on and pay for a diving excursion, especially in another country. It is better to go directly to the source (the dive operation or the tour/excursion operator) rather than any middleman for your information. It’s also not a bad idea, when you do talk with them, to ask why such an age restriction is in place. They may not give you a satisfying answer because, after all, it is ulti- mately their decision. One thing that I choose to do is carry a letter signed by my physician stating that, in his opinion, I am in good health and have no contraindications to diving. I get this letter each time I have my annual physical. I have not had to use it, but it may help if any operator has concerns about health. Good luck and safe diving! References: Orr, D. “The Ageless Diver.” Dive Center Business. 7/14.Orr, D. and Meurice, V. “The Mental Health Benefits of Scuba Diving.” Scuba Diving Industry Magazine. 325. Pages 6-9. Orr, D. “Cardiac Issues - Getting to the Heart of the Matter.” Scuba Diving Industry Magazine. 9/24. Pages 6-9. Orr, D. and Orr, B. 101 Tips for Recreational Scuba Divers. Wise Divers Publications (www.wisedivers.com) 2022 (available from Best Publishing www.bestpub.com). Orr, D. and Douglas, E. Scuba Diving Safety. Human
World-Class Diver Education
Underwater Kinetics. 2007. Orr, D. Open-Circuit Diving Fa- talities. Proceedings of Rebreather Forum 3. Editors Vann, R., Denoble, P., Pollock, N. 2014. pp. 103-107. Strauss, Michael B., Scuba Diving in Older Adults. Best Publishing WCHM. 2013. pp. 27-37.
AVAILABLE FOR DIVE BUSINESSES RESELLER DISCOUNTS
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TRAINING
Accidents in the Blue Too-Often Aren’t Accidents ‘Out of the Blue’ – by Al Hornsby, owner, Al Hornsby Productions, Singapore Al is regarded as one of the industry’s most experienced risk management litigation executives.
The old expression about something having occurred ‘out of the blue’ means, basically, that something that happened was a random, unpredictable event. When it comes to dive accidents, while they typically occur ‘in the blue’ (if you’ll excuse the play-on-words), history
bottom, well-lit, with lots of fish to see. Wanting to give his group a ‘special’ experience, he began leading them into the tube’s overhead environment (clearly a violation of all intro- ductory scuba standards). One of the first-time intro divers, however, indicated that he wasn’t comfortable going in. Rather than taking them all to continue exploring the reef, the instruc- tor had the reluctant diver wait alone outside the tube while he took the others in. Frightened and now alone, the diver (who, of course, had only rudimentary buoyancy skills) began gradually floating up, only to be struck by the prop of a passing boat, whose crew had no idea he was there, just beneath the surface.
shows clearly that, despite diving being an activity with inher- ent risks, the most serious, most traumatic accidents in our sport typically were not random at all, but occurred because the known risks – and the safety procedures and practices our
industry has so carefully developed to protect divers from those risks - were too often ignored. In fact, even a cursory review of past, serious dive accidents shows clearly the strong relationship be- tween procedures and practices that were outside established standards
The results of this simple, com- pletely unnecessary, indefensible ac- cident and the litigation that followed - especially considering the gross standards violation involved (leaving an introductory diver unattended un- derwater) - were profound… The
and norms, and resultant accidents. And, if litigation occurred (and it was certainly more likely once it became apparent that the accident occurred while standards or best practices were not being followed), the chances for damaging judgements or expensive settlements went up as well. A sad but simple example, which actually kicked off decades of costly dive litigation – especially because it led directly to one of diving’s most well-known, experienced defense attor- neys becoming one of the most active litigators against the in- dustry – shows how simple, obvious violations of standards and good practice can so easily open the door to completely unnecessary accidents and costly litigation. The dive was a straightforward introductory scuba experi- ence, in about 35 feet of water on a reef in Hawaii. Conditions were calm, the water was clear, and the small group of partic- ipants was having the time of their lives. At one point, the in- structor showed them a lava tube that meandered across the
diver, whose work skills needed his hand and arm, lost most of their use…and his profession – and the settlement was con- siderable. Sadly, for the dive industry, it also led the attorney involved – realizing that plaintiffs’ work (especially when stan- dards violations were involved) was far easier and more lucra- tive than defense – to switch sides and to begin a new, long career suing the dive industry when dive accidents occurred. To help prevent such unnecessary accidents – and to remind your staff, as well as to give your customers (many of whom, especially introductory divers, will be nervous) some security and comfort – include in the briefings reassurance concerning the standards you’ll be following, such as those of your pro-
fessional dive organization, ISO, WRSTC and others. It won’t take long, and it can also serve as a reminder to staff that there is no room for lati- tude – especially when it involves introductory scuba participants.
email Al
BUSINESS EDU Shark Forward: Stay Sharp in Mid-Summer – by William Cline, Publisher, & President for 35 years of Cline Group, a marketing, research and advertising consultancy specializing the scuba diving industry.
Welcome to my new series using real world business instincts inspired by marine life. I hope you enjoy this new column! Mid-summer. For dive pros, this is when things really ramp up. Staff schedules are packed, boats are full, phones are still ringing, and your shop
the summer rush threatens to sweep you away. Lead Your Team with Purpose: The busiest days are when your team needs you the most. Be the example. Stay calm, stay focused, stay engaged. Encourage staff to support one another and help them understand how every role con- nects to making the summer season a success. Sharks move with precision, and a strong dive team can do the same when it operates like a coordinated, well led unit. Stay present, listen to their concerns, and recognize their efforts. Helping your team feel valued and motivated is the best way to keep the whole operation on track. Make the Most of Mid-Summer: Remember, summer doesn’t last forever. The long days, packed boats, and bustling shop aren’t just moments of hard work. They’re moments when new divers fall in love with the sport and long time cus-
feels like Grand Central Station. The long days, long nights, equipment demands, group trips, and last minute changes can be overwhelming. But this is also when the best opportunities surface, and when a strong team and sharp focus matter more than ever. That’s When I Think About the Shark: Sharks have a reputation for being relentless, always moving, always focused. They have to be. Most species must keep swimming just to
breathe. It’s that forward momentum that allows them to survive and thrive, no matter how turbulent the ocean be- comes. As dive pros, that lesson is worth holding onto when summer’s whirlwind is in full swing. Channel the Shark’s Focus: In mid-summer, it’s easy to get pulled in a million directions – staff scheduling, equipment needs, new students, group
tomers deepen their connections. Stay sharp, stay engaged, and make the most of it. Push through the challenging moments with that un- mistakable “shark forward” mental- ity, knowing you’re creating an experience that can build loyalty for years to come. The “Busy” Tests Your Systems and Procedures: There is no better
Sand Tiger Shark
trips, last minute changes. The best way to stay sharp is to focus like a shark. Ask yourself: What needs my attention right now? What can wait? Making quick, confident decisions can save precious time, energy, and sanity. It doesn’t mean ignor- ing everything else, but it does mean knowing when to zero in and when to glide past a distraction. Stay Calm Amid the Current: Sharks don’t flail in turbu- lent waters. They adjust, stay calm, and glide with precision. You can do the same. Even when things feel overwhelming, slow down long enough to assess, adjust, and move forward intentionally. Sometimes that means delegating more, trusting your staff, or setting boundaries for yourself and your team. Those moments of clarity can make all the difference when
test of your SOP, systems and staff training than the busy summer season. As you go along, keep a journal of what worked well, and what did not, especially during peak days or weeks. That journal will become invaluable in the fall when you review your summer, and plan to fix what needs fixing. So as you move through the heart of summer, take a lesson from the shark. Keep moving, stay focused, and don’t lose sight of where you’re going. Stay alert, stay confident, and stay sharp. The currents may be strong, but with a clear sense of
direction and that “shark forward” mindset, you can glide through the busiest season and come out stronger, better, and more prepared for whatever the ocean and the dive industry brings next.
email William
ECO PRO Training a Complete Diver: Attitude is Everything – by Alex Brylske, Ph.D., President, Ocean Education International, LLC
In our April 2024 issue, dive industry veteran Tom Leaird penned a thought- provoking article, "Our Take on Train- ing New Divers: A Seven-Week Course." In it, he explained the bene- fits of swimming against the current
domain to consider – the affective. As this is a more emo- tional than logical realm, I refer to this as the “heart” part of learning. This is the realm of attitudes that influence the choices divers make. So, for a learning experience to be con- sidered complete, the instructor must address all three do- mains – what a diver knows, can do, and chooses to do. Attitudes, Choices, and Behavior We’ve all met divers who possess textbook knowledge, flawless buoyancy, and every specialty patch stitched to their sleeve – and yet, something’s missing. They dive like tourists rather than stewards. Their decisions are technically sound but lack intention. They may not break the rules, but they also don’t seem inspired by the ocean. And that’s the discon- nect: a diver can be trained correctly and still not care. The reason is that these are divers who have only two-thirds of an education. Attitudes lead to choices, which lead to behavior. As in-
industry practice by increasing, not decreasing, the training required for entry-level divers. He noted the clear advantage of longer courses, which provide the additional time needed to clarify concepts and establish a stronger connection with students through enhanced personal interactions. One fea- ture of this approach is the emphasis on conducting “acad- emic” training in a classroom setting rather than relying entirely on eLearning. Here, I’d like to expand on Tom’s the- sis and discuss the benefits of increased face time with stu- dents that may not be immediately apparent. I also want to elaborate on some of the concepts I addressed last month.
The basis of my argument is that many instructors mis- takenly assume their job has one essential goal: to create a knowledgeable and skillful diver who can perform safely and competently in condi- tions similar to those in which
structors, we must recognize that we’re not just in the business of building divers; we’re shaping underwater citizens. The ultimate goal isn’t just safe diving – it’s re- sponsible diving. This can be a challenging goal to achieve
they were trained. But if this is your only goal as an instruc- tor, then in my view, you have only done two-thirds of your job. So, what is the final third of your job, and how can a longer course – including time in the classroom – achieve a better- trained student? Without getting bogged down in educational theory, expe- rienced educators recognize that all forms of learning are not the same. Learning comes in at least three flavors, most often referred to as domains. In diving, what we typically call “academic” training, whether acquired in a classroom or on- line, is known as cognitive learning. I refer to it as the “head” part of learning. It addresses what the diver needs to know to dive safely. The second domain is skill, which is obviously what a diver must be able to do to become competent. I call this the “hand” part of learning. The problem arises from the common assumption that addressing these two domains alone is sufficient, without recognizing that there is one more
because that responsibility isn’t something we can check off on a skills slate; it lives in the diver’s attitude: the choices they make when no one is watching, the way they talk about the ocean, and the reverence or indifference they display when entering the water. That’s why, at the heart of a complete training experience is the premise that attitude is every- thing. It’s what determines what a diver chooses to do: their values, their motivation, and their willingness to protect what they’ve learned to love. And yet, in most diver training pro- grams, this domain of learning is barely touched upon. How Do We Teach Attitudes? In teaching attitudes, you must embrace the idea that your job is not only to teach a competent diver but also a respon- sible one. For example, an ethic of conservation is a vital at- titude for a responsible diver. Imagine attempting to teach conservation values, focusing solely on the cognitive domain. You might address coral bleaching, marine debris, and shark finning, along with the relevant stats. It’s technically inform-
PAGE TWELVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
ative. However, it won’t change anyone’s behavior because it’s unlikely to have a significant impact on their attitude. Now envision sharing the story of spending a dive cutting free a ghost net strangling a reef, and a dead sea turtle, only to surface to a boatload of indifferent tourists. Which one is more likely to stick? The affective domain doesn’t thrive on facts – it thrives on meaning. And meaning is best conveyed through an evoca- tive narrative. That’s why we remember novels more vividly than textbooks and why one compelling story can plant the seed of a lifelong ethic in a student more deeply than any eLearning module. This is where we, as instructors, have considerable untapped influence – not just as skill coaches but as storytellers and, even more importantly, as role mod- els. Decades ago, long before educational researchers became involved, Madison Avenue discovered that what sold prod- ucts wasn’t facts but rather attitudes and how the “right peo- ple” could influence the decision to make a purchase. This is why, on the front of a Wheaties® cereal box, you won’t find a treatise on the nutritional value of wheat (cognitive); you’ll see a featured athlete-du-jour (affective). Similarly, in the context of this discussion, the most crucial tool for teaching and instilling attitudes in divers is their instructor. In a very real sense, you are – or should be – a living lesson. Every instructor knows this intuitively. Consider your own training; chances are, you remember more about your in- structor's attitude than the briefing they gave during your third open water training dive. Were they meticulous? Were they kind? Did they rant about “stupid tourists” who litter the reef, or quietly remove trash on every dive without mak- ing a fuss? Did they cut corners when no one was looking, or did they stick to the standards and gladly engage with you even after a long, exhausting day? In the affective domain, the instructor is the curriculum. This alone strongly ar- gues for spending more, not less, time with your students. No eLearning module or PowerPoint presentation can override what your students observe you doing. If you want them to develop a conservation ethic, you have to model it, visibly and consistently. You’re not just teaching them what they should know about the underwater world – you’re showing them how to feel about it. That’s why attitude isn’t an “extra.” It’s the foundation. And we need to be more in- tentional about cultivating it in our training. ECO PRO continued
Strategies for Teaching the Heart So, how do we teach effectively and affectively? We can’t grade attitude. We can’t standardize compassion. But we can invite it. Here are a few practical ways to engage the affective domain without turning your course into a philosophy sem- inar. 1. Start With Reflection, Not Just Instruction: Use per- sonal journaling prompts in your post-dive debriefs. Pose questions that don’t have “right” answers, but cre- ate space for students to examine their own values – and that’s the beginning of identity formation. For example: “What was one moment today that made you feel con- ▪ nected to the ocean?” “What choice did you make that reflected your respect ▪ for marine life?” 2. Tell Your Own Stories – Not Just Safety Protocols: The most powerful thing you can bring to a dive briefing isn’t a checklist; it’s your personal experience. Authen- ticity matters. When you share the truth about your emotional journey as a diver, students will begin to re- flect on their own. Dive into Dr. Alex Brylske’s Book: BENEATH THE BLUE PLANET
“An in-depth resource to indulge our passion for scuba diving.” – Wayne B. Brown, Owner & CEO, Aggressor Adventures
A fascinating look at our oceans, marine biology & more! Great for classrooms and every dive retailer’s library!
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ECO PRO continued Tell students about the first time you saw coral spawn- ▪ ing, and how it reframed your understanding of ocean life. Share a mistake you made early in your career and what ▪ you learned from it about humility and respect. Describe the moment you realized your diving wasn’t ▪ just about recreation but responsibility. 3. Elevate Peer Role Models: Not every message needs to come from you. Invite former students, divemasters, or eco-volunteers to participate in a post-class discussion. (A good excuse for a social event.) Let students hear from others who have developed a conservation ethic over time. As in any community, social proof shapes values. When students see that passion for the ocean is normal, desirable, and cool, they are more likely to em- ulate it. We need to think beyond the “successful course” as one where everyone earned their C-card. That’s the floor, not the ceiling. We must strive for better learning outcomes through a new curriculum that is based not only on knowl- edge and skills, but also on character. Here are some new metrics to consider when assessing the affective outcomes of your class. Did the student express awe at something they saw un- ▪ derwater? Did they ask how they could help protect a reef or its ▪ species? Did they reconsider something they once took for ▪ granted? These metrics may be challenging to track, but over time, they shape a diver’s identity much more significantly than their proficiency in buoyancy control. And isn’t that what we’re truly after? We will always need to teach the head and the hand. But if we neglect the heart, we’ll train divers who know how to stay safe, but do not understand why the ocean is worth protecting. Let’s cultivate divers who not only per- form well but also care deeply. And that must start with us. So, the next time you step onto the boat or click “start” on an eLearning module, remember: you’re not just instruct-
FLIPPING THE CLASSROOM While this article advocates for extending training for entry- level divers to include classroom time, it shouldn’t be inter- preted as adding boring lectures and pointless war stories to your course. Instead, consider reorganizing academic sessions using the strategy of the “flipped classroom” that I discussed in my column last month. (A short explanation appears below.) The resource list available through the QR code at the end of the article offers ideas on structuring flipped class- room sessions to maximize affective (attitude) learning out- comes. The flipped classroom is an instructional model that re- verses the traditional approach to teaching. In a conventional classroom, students first encounter new material during in- person lectures and then apply that knowledge through homework. In a flipped classroom, this sequence is inverted: students are introduced to new concepts before class – usu- ally through eLearning, readings, or interactive modules – and class time is reserved for active learning, such as prob- lem-solving, discussions, or hands-on activities. The key advantage of this model lies in its transformation of the teacher’s role. Rather than delivering one-way lectures, instructors become facilitators and coaches, helping students deepen their understanding through guided practice. This en- ables more personalized support, peer collaboration, and formative feedback during class, when students need it most. Flipped learning also promotes student agency. Because students control the pace of their initial exposure – pausing, rewinding, or reviewing materials as needed – they can arrive in class better prepared to engage. Class time, in turn, be- comes more interactive and student-centered, shifting the focus from passive listening to active participation. This model is especially effective in settings where higher- order thinking skills are emphasized. By front-loading basic content delivery and prioritizing in-class application, the flipped classroom aligns well with how we understand people learn – something known as Bloom’s taxonomy – allowing more time for analysis, evaluation, and creation – the top tiers of cognitive engagement. Flipped learning does, however, come with challenges. It assumes that students have the self-discipline and access to technology required to complete pre-class work. Fortunately, we already have that technology in place. It also demands a shift in both teaching practice and classroom culture, which can be unfamiliar or uncomfortable for some instructors and students. Despite these challenges, the flipped classroom model has gained popularity across various educational levels and dis- ciplines – especially in science, technology, and skill-based training, such as diving – because it promotes deeper learn- ing, more effective use of instructional time, and increased student engagement.
k
ing; you’re imprinting. Your attitude toward safety, stewardship, and the sea itself is your most powerful teaching tool. Let’s use it inten- tionally, because attitude isn’t an extra – it’s everything.
Alex’s links
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SAFARIS I SCUBA DIVING I SNORKELING Dolphins Sharks Stingrays Wrecks Walls
Catch your breath in Bimini.
BIMINI SCUBA CENTER Bimini, The Bahamas Call +1 (242) 473 8816 Visit biminiscubacenter.com
PAGE FIFTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Looking for a Warm Weather IDC for Your Students? Did you know that
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PHOTO PRO
Behind The Lens: Mobula Rays are Diamonds in the Sky – Photos and text by Amos Nachoum, Big Animals Global Expeditions
In the bright summer waters off Baja, the mobula rays gather in ex- traordinary numbers. Hundreds – sometimes thousands – swim to- gether near the sunlit surface, their dark wings rising and falling in quiet rhythm. Seen from below, they scat- ter across the bright water like a constellation – stars pressed into the sea, each ray catching the sunlight as it moves. The longer I spent with them, the more they resembled a sky in motion – a field of stars, but here the light was alive. The rays shifted and glimmered, drifting together, each one shining for a moment before another passed into its place. At first, I approached as most divers would. I swam toward
bubbles rose through the water and startled the rays. They scattered instantly, just as they had before. Even from below, even at a distance, they remained exquisitely sensitive. I spent the next two days adjusting. I rehearsed holding my breath longer and learned to move with even greater care. I slipped into the water slowly, feeling the weight settle against my shoulders, the water cool against my face, the light press- ing down from above. The sound underwater is thin and dis- tant – just the soft hum of the sea, my own heartbeat, the faint clicking of other life somewhere out of sight. I descended gently, turned onto my back, and began to wait. The cold crept in as the minutes passed. My arms and legs tingled with the steady pressure of the water, but I stayed still, watching the surface, my body relaxed, my focus pinned to the sun overhead. I practiced waiting long enough for the rays Each dive was a quiet re- hearsal, a small refinement in breath, distance, or tim- ing. The longer I stayed, the more I could feel the rhythm of the school – the slow, steady pace of their movement, the soft flicker of sunlight as their wings passed between me and the surface. And then, it came together: On one dive, the school passed overhead with perfect spacing, perfect timing. The rays crossed the sun in staggered layers, their dark wings etched cleanly against the white water. The light flickered as their bodies briefly blocked the sun, one after another, like shutters passing in slow motion. For a few seconds, the surface was filled with their shapes – a sky of moving diamonds, gliding silently above me. The rays didn’t scatter. They didn’t change course. I had fi- nally learned how to be there without disturbing them. to drift into the right posi- tion, carefully holding the last of my breath until the moment they crossed the sun, briefly eclipsing its light.
the school from above, aiming to get close. But each time I descended, the rays reacted instantly – diving together, vanishing into deeper water in per- fect coordination. For days, I repeated the same mistake. I collected image after image, but they all showed the same thing: rays beneath me, framed against the sandy bottom or lit by the slanting sun.
The images were fine, but they weren’t the ones I had pic- tured. I wanted to see the rays overhead, silhouetted against the midday sun – as if they were flying across the sky. I tried a new approach. I asked my skipper to position me far ahead of the school, hoping I could wait in their path. But the rays sensed me even at a distance. They turned away be- fore they ever came close. I couldn’t swim fast enough while holding my breath to meet them where I needed to be. That season ended without the image I was looking for. I thought about the problem for a year. When I returned to Baja the next season, I brought a pony scuba tank, a small harness, and a wide fisheye lens. I planned to dive deeper – well below the school’s path – and wait quietly at forty feet, looking up, ready to capture the rays as they crossed above me. On the first dive, I made a new mistake. As I exhaled, my
It wasn’t about chasing. It wasn’t about swim- ming faster. It was about learning to wait prop- erly. Nikon D850, Nikon RS 13mm lens, f- 8, 1/2000 sec. 200 ISO.
contact Amos
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TRAVEL Planning That Long-Haul Group Bucket List Trip – by David Prichard and Lily Mak, Enchanted Sea Images, Inc., Dallas, TX
You have successfully led your clients to multiple short-hop tropical locations for dive trips but now many of them are asking to expand the range of their underwater adven- tures to include areas in the South Pacific that boasts higher diversity of marine life than what they have seen
and weight limits. The overhead bin spaces are often much smaller so the roll-on bag (usually packed with camera and crucial dive gear) that fit in your initial airline’s overhead space will now have to be checked into the plane’s luggage com- partment – perhaps at an additional fee. Carry-on bags are often weighed and, if over the limit, you will either pay an ad- ditional fee or need to repack contents to your check-in bag. While you may not be able to avoid these additional fees, you can keep from being shocked enroute by investigating each stage of your journey and understanding what the limi- tations are for each segment so that you can plan for it in ad- vance and pass the information to your group so they are prepared. Another key planning rule when connecting to a different airline at a foreign flight hub is to make sure you have plenty of connection time between flights to iron out any issues (please see our article in the June issue concerning this im- portant detail) as non-affiliated airlines do not transfer luggage
before. Do you use the same planning method for this trip halfway across the world as you would for the nearby tropical locations? In Star Trek III – The Search for Spock, Scotty explains how easy it was to sabotage the newer and faster Excalibur ship (by swiping a few key parts) saying: “The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain.” In plan- ning long-distance travel, a few overlooked parts can wreck your “trip of a lifetime.” A long-haul trip for many people involves many stages of
the journey, and you want to make sure you understand the details of each stage so that there are no complications. How are you getting from your departure airport to your destination? If you are lucky enough to be able to use the same major airline to the destination (or a combination with an al- liance partner airline), then you can gener- ally send your checked baggage all the way through to the final airport. The fewer the connections, the less likely a bag may acci- dentally head to a different location or get left behind.
to another and often the regional airline is located in a different terminal than your previous airline. All this can be planned out in advance if you check all the details and ask the right questions. Most airlines now will only help you (cus- tomer service) if you booked directly with the airline. If you booked with a travel agent or an online travel website, then they tell you to go through them to fix any problems. If your travel agent has a 24/7/365 help line that you can reach with
Often the final flight to a remote island can be on much smaller aircraft that are limited on luggage capacity and on-board storage like this flight from Nadi, Fiji to the island of Taveuni.
your phone, then that is a solution. But, if they only have of- fice hours, then you could be dealing with a major problem on your own until they report to work. Look into trip insur- ance to cover unforeseen delays and flight cancellations on your journey. You also have to plan for your body to be confined to a tight space (your seat) for flights that can be a half a day or more for the “long” segment of your trip, plus the various smaller segments to and from your destination. The plane’s cabin is pressurized to around 8,000 feet (while the plane is around 35,000 feet) so it is like being in the mountains with a lower oxygen content and low humidity that creates higher dehy- dration issues and dry skin, so drink plenty of water and use moisturizers.
Many dive resorts in the South Pacific are not served by the larger airlines so you must book a separate flight reservation from your major air carrier’s final stop to your destination using a regional airline. These airlines have their own set of rules and may not honor your previous carrier’s terms or lim- its on baggage allowance and weights. If you checked two 50- pound bags initially on your first carrier, then you may be surprised to find that the regional carrier only allows 20 kilo- grams (44 pounds) “total,” so you will need to purchase ad- ditional baggage allowance when you booked the flight or be prepared to pay hundreds of dollars in overweight luggage fees – each way! Even your carry-on bags may be subject to different size
Mote Marine Coral Lab
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TRAVEL continued To keep from developing blood clots (deep vein thrombo- sis) air travelers need to periodically move around by either getting up and walking around the cabin or by doing foot and leg exercises often while seated. Bring a face mask in case a neighbor appears sick and avoid touching surfaces that haven’t been sanitized (by you). Don’t plan any activities the day of arrival at your destina-
tion as you will likely be suffering from both “jet lag” going through multiple time zones and even the international date line and from lack of sleep as it is difficult to get rest in a
cramped airline seat. If you can afford or use air miles for a business or first-class ticket, then the long trip is much more comfortable, and you also get a lot of extra perks.
email David
RETAILING The Giant Stride: We Bought A Dive Shop – Now What? – by Michael Connors & Rachael Scott, Owners, American Dive Zone, Grand Rapids, MI
We are Michael and Rachael, own- ers of American Dive Zone, a full service scuba diving center in West Michigan. Both of us came from a decade of experience working in
to someone else, or worse, having your shop converted into a convenience store, fast food restaurant, or clothing boutique - wiping the legacy you built over 20+ years away forever. Our journey to becoming scuba shop owners started with an understanding of this dilemma and began with the mes-
corporate America. Michael’s experience is in private equity, fi-
sage: “Have you thought about your retire- ment plan, and are you interested in a conversation on how we can continue your shop’s legacy?” By showing you want to carry on the shop’s legacy, you are respecting the previous owner. You are showing them that you care about the business they built, and you are on their side. You create a win-win. The previous owner gets to be released from their operational burdens and can rest assured their “baby” will continue to grow - their life’s work will not be forgotten. After sending several cold emails, within two days we got a response, and from there we set up a face-to-face meeting over lunch. Meeting face-to-face allowed us to start to develop a relationship with the previous owner. It showed the previous owner that we were seri- ous. It helped us make our first impression - and that first impression is what helped us gain trust. Trust is fundamental in any acquisition. The face-to-face meeting with the previous owner led to a mutual interest in kicking off the acquisition process, and in just 10 months
nance, and operations. Rachael’s experience is in sales, marketing, and partnerships. We are scuba enthusiasts who met through talking about scuba diving, got engaged on a dive trip, and acquired a dive shop to run together. Our goal is to help usher in the next generation of dive shop owners who will carry the torch that previous shop owners have held, and keep this industry growing and thriving. Over the next few months, we will be sharing the process we went through to acquire our dive shop, remodel and re-market an existing brand, implement op- erational efficiencies, hire and train new staff, and exponentially grow sales. This monthly se- ries is for any dive shop owner looking to pass the torch or for any scuba enthusiast looking to carry the torch forward. Not sure where to start? We are here to help. Our story begins with a cold email that Michael sent to dive shops in Michigan with the title “Thinking About Retirement?” Retirement for a dive shop owner means they get to focus on the things they love like teaching scuba, going on scuba trips, and blowing bubbles for fun. It also means feeling torn about leaving your “baby,” your business, and turning it over
the torch was passed. We will out- line the acquisition process from A-Z in more detail next month. Stay tuned!
email Rachael
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