Ask The Dive Otter

Dive Otter is an independent recreational scuba diving education site focused on practical decision-making, real-world capability, and clear reasoning. The site covers training context, core skills, safety, planning, gear strategy, and travel for divers who want plain answers without hype.

This page is how you ask a question. If your question is useful to other divers, I may answer it directly, add it to the FAQ, or turn it into a guide.

Start With Existing Answers

If you want a quick win, start with the FAQ and the guides across the site. Many common questions are already answered in detail.

How It Works

1. Submit your question by email or Instagram message. Email works best for detailed questions.
2. I respond in the format that fits. Some questions get a direct reply. Others become an FAQ entry or a full page if the answer is broadly useful.
3. You can use the site immediately while you wait. The FAQ is the fastest place to start.

How To Ask

• Email: tyler@diveotter.com
• Instagram: @thediveotter
• Facebook: The Dive Otter

What You Can Ask

• New diver basics: certification paths, skill priorities, early gear decisions, common mistakes
• Planning and execution: pre-dive routines, situation awareness, gas planning concepts, run-of-dive decision-making
• Gear strategy: configuration tradeoffs, failure modes, upgrade timing, what matters and what is noise
• Travel: logistics, destination fit, operator selection criteria, planning around your goals and experience
• Any recreational scuba question where you want a plain answer and the reasoning behind it

Limits of Advice

I aim to provide accurate, experience-based information and clear reasoning. Dive Otter does not provide certification, medical advice, or in-water skills instruction. For hands-on coaching, medical questions, or certification decisions, consult a qualified instructor or medical provider as appropriate.

What To Expect

I do not claim to know everything about scuba. If I do not have a solid answer, I will say so and point you to reliable sources or experts. The goal is simple: honest, no-nonsense guidance that helps you make safer and smarter decisions.

Help Me Answer Faster

If your question is about planning, gear, or safety decisions, include what matters up front. A few lines of context usually makes the difference between a generic answer and a useful one.

• Certification level and approximate number of dives
• Typical environment: cold or warm, shore or boat, current or calm, visibility
• Your goal: what you are trying to do, improve, or decide
• Relevant gear details if the question is equipment-related

Ask Away

Email your question to tyler@diveotter.com or message me on Instagram @thediveotter. If you want immediate answers, start with the FAQ.