About The Dive Otter and Tyler Allison

Why I Built Dive Otter

I built Dive Otter because I was frustrated by how much of the dive world feels noisy, vague, or overcomplicated. Most divers I know do not want hype; they want to understand what works, why it matters, and how to get better without the confusion. This site is my way of putting that clarity into writing. Every article and review comes from real dives, real learning, and the same curiosity that keeps me improving.

Who This Is For

This site is for divers who value capability before confidence, who double-check their gas plan, and who see skill as a process, not a badge. If that sounds like you, you will fit right in here.

My Promise to You

Clarity over clicks. Capability before confidence. No hype. Real confidence comes from skill and understanding, not slogans. If I learn a better way to explain something, I update the page and note it in the public change log so you can see what changed and why. Diving evolves, and I believe honest writing should, too.

How the Name Happened

The name came from a comment during a class. A dive instructor once told me I was moving too fast underwater, more like an otter zipping around than a calm, purposeful diver. The nickname stuck and it became a reminder that calm beats clever and purpose beats motion.

A Little About Me

My first dive was a resort experience in Hawaii in 1998, but I did not get certified until 2023. Since then, diving has become a serious focus with over 150 dives in the first 24 month period. 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.

How I Approach Things Differently

• I focus on writing and still photography instead of chasing trends or algorithms.
• Skills and tools must work under real conditions, not just in class.
• When I learn better, I revise and say so because transparency builds trust.
• I do not publish shallow inspiration. Every page has a practical reason to exist.

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.

Why I Dive

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