About The Dive Otter and Tyler Allison
My name is Tyler, the diver behind Dive Otter. My first dive was a resort experience in Hawaii back in 1998, but I did not get certified until 2023. Since then, diving has become a serious focus, not just a casual hobby. I have trained with SSI, SDI, and GUE, and I am always working to improve.
My professional background is in technical fields where risk management, systems thinking, and clarity are essential. That mindset shapes how I dive and how I built this site.
I am not a full time dive pro or a gear influencer. I am 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 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 are 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 will not find shallow inspiration here. You will find tools, insight, and the kind of 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 as I should have been. He said I looked like an otter zipping around with no clear direction. The nickname stuck.
It turned into 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 only during a class. That means maintaining trim, managing buoyancy, tracking my team, and avoiding wasted motion.
I prefer diving in teams and keep my gear streamlined. My standard kit includes a compass on the left wrist, a computer on the right wrist, wet notes, a DSMB with spool, a cutting device, two dive lights, and a backup mask stored in a drysuit pocket or tech shorts. I do not clip on anything that does not serve a clear purpose.
I am not trying to look polished in the water. I aim 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, and diving gives me access to it.
Want to Know More?
Get In Touch
Questions? Want to talk gear, training, or dive sites? Reach out by email or follow @thediveotter on Instagram.