Welcome to The Dive Otter
Scuba diving doesn’t have to be complicated. But too often, it’s made harder than it needs to be, by vague training, confusing gear advice, or the pressure to "just go with it" without understanding why. Dive Otter exists to cut through the noise.
I’m Tyler. I dive cold water in the Midwest, build my own gear setups, and focus on diving safely, smartly, and with purpose. This site is where I share what I’ve learned and what I’m still learning with divers who want to sharpen their skills, dive more confidently, and think critically about how they dive.
Just Getting Started?
New to diving or thinking about it? This guide walks you through training, gear, and smart first steps.
Begin Your Dive JourneyBuild Skills That Matter
Trim, buoyancy, emergency prep, and more. Explained in plain language, with zero fluff.
Master Core TechniquesThink More Critically
Training gaps, team dynamics, and real-world lessons to help you dive smarter.
Articles That Go DeeperNo Sponsors. No Spin.
I built Dive Otter to offer real answers, not marketing copy, not sales pitches. Everything here comes from real dives, real mistakes, and real lessons. Mine and the trusted divers I share the water with. I try to write the way I’d talk to a dive buddy: clear, calm, honest, no pretending and no posturing.
It’s not about being perfect. I make mistakes. I’m still learning every time I dive. What matters is staying curious, being honest about what you know (and what you don’t), and staying open to new experience, better information, and better ways of doing things.