Who is The Dive Otter?

I'm Tyler, the diver behind Dive Otter. My first dive was a resort experience in Hawaii back in 1998, but I didn’t get certified until 2023. Since then, diving has become a serious focus, not just a hobby. I’ve trained with SSI, SDI, and GUE, and I’m always working to improve.

My professional background is in technical fields where risk management, systems thinking, and clarity matter. That mindset shapes how I dive and how I built this site.

I’m not a full-time dive pro or a gear influencer. I’m just a diver who cares about doing things well, learning constantly, and helping others make better choices underwater. I write for people who want to think more clearly about how they dive and why it matters.

Why I Started Dive Otter

I started Dive Otter because so much of the dive world feels needlessly complicated or vague. I wanted a place that gives divers clear, honest advice based on real experience. Whether you're just getting serious or already working on mastery, this site is here to help you dive with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Dive Otter is for people who value capability over confidence, who double-check their gas plan, and who see skill as a process, not a badge. You won’t find shallow inspiration here. You will find tools, insight, and the kind of dive content I wish had existed when I was starting out.

How the Name Happened

The name came from a comment during a class. A dive instructor once pointed out that I was moving too fast underwater, not calm and purposeful like I should have been. He said I looked like an otter zipping around with no clear direction. The nickname stuck.

It turned out to be a useful reminder. Calm beats clever. Purpose beats motion.

How I Dive

I focus on control, efficiency, and staying present. Skills should work under real conditions, not just during a class. That means maintaining trim, managing buoyancy, keeping track of my team, and avoiding wasted motion.

I prefer diving in teams and keep my gear streamlined. My standard kit includes wet notes, a DSMB with spool, a cutting device, a dive light, and a backup mask stored in a drysuit pocket or tech shorts. I don’t clip on anything that doesn’t serve a clear purpose.

I’m not trying to look polished in the water. I’m trying to be useful, aware, and unproblematic. If something goes wrong, I want to be the person others are glad is there.

Good divers prepare. Great divers care.

Why I Dive

I dive because it forces my brain to focus. For that hour underwater, the chaos in my mind goes quiet. There is no room for distraction or overthinking. Just the work of staying sharp, aware, and in control. That kind of peace is rare. Diving gives me access to it.

Want to Know More?

• My Responsible Diver Code
• My Certifications & Training

Get In Touch

Questions? Want to talk gear, training, or dive sites? Reach out by email or follow @thediveotter on Instagram.