Dive Culture
Not everything in diving is covered by training materials. Some of it is learned through experience. Some of it is absorbed through group behavior. Some of it is just bad habits passed off as tradition. This section is where I attempt to explain what divers actually say, do, and believe and what it all really means.
Acronyms & Terms
- Plain-language explanations of common scuba jargon, acronyms, and shorthand.
- Covers everything from buddy check mnemonics (ABCDE, BWARF) to safety terms (AGE, DCS, CESA).
- Practical context so you know what matters, what’s marketing, and what can save your dive.
Best YouTube Channels
- Curated list of YouTube channels covering training, safety, gear, travel, conservation, and entertainment.
- Divers Ready! builds foundational skills, Azul Unlimited highlights eco-friendly lifestyle diving, and Alec Peirce shares vintage gear and history.
- Advanced resources include FlowState Divers for sidemount, InnerSpace Explorers for tech and cave, and Matthias Lebo for underwater cinematography.
- Mix of professional instruction, community storytelling, and lighter entertainment keeps divers engaged and learning at every level.
Find a Buddy
- Local dive shop fun dives are the most reliable way to connect with partners and start building relationships.
- Facebook groups, ScubaBoard, and apps like Dive With Buddy offer networking opportunities but can be inconsistent or awkward.
- Showing up at popular sites or joining clubs can work, though success depends on your comfort with introducing yourself.
- Continuing education classes naturally connect you with divers who are motivated and serious about improving skills.
Insta-Buddy Checks
- Plain-language explanations of scuba jargon, acronyms, and shorthand that confuse new divers.
- Covers everything from buddy check mnemonics (ABCDE, BWARF) to safety-critical terms (AGE, DCS, CESA).
- Includes gas planning concepts, gear types, and training acronyms that every diver eventually encounters.
- Designed to cut through marketing noise and highlight what actually matters for safe, confident diving.
Calling the Dive
- Calling a dive means ending it early without needing to justify the decision.
- Divers often hesitate due to embarrassment, peer pressure, or fear of letting others down, but speaking up shows maturity.
- Strong teams normalize the practice by stating upfront that anyone can call a dive, and supporting it without judgment.
- Early calls prevent incidents from escalating and build psychological safety that strengthens team trust.
Why Divers Quit
- Common reasons include long gaps between dives, bad first experiences, gear hassles, lack of a buddy, and physical or mental discomfort.
- Life changes like new jobs, family demands, or finances often push diving aside without it being a conscious choice.
- Fear, anxiety, or poor training can discourage divers from continuing after certification.
- Motivation is sustained by scheduling dives in advance, building a community, and investing in gear that reduces friction.
- Reframing identity as an active diver and valuing even simple local dives keeps skills sharp and enthusiasm alive.
Diving & Family Life
- Balancing diving with a non-diving partner is possible and rewarding when you navigate differences with respect.
- Choose destinations and rhythms that work for both, such as resorts with activities for your partner while you dive.
- Respect boundaries and avoiding activities that cause worry keeps diving a positive part of your shared life.
- Include your partner in decisions and planning to show that they matter more than the dive itself.
Solo Diving Controversy
- Solo diving is formally taught by some agencies and practiced by experienced divers in controlled environments.
- It requires full redundancy to replace a buddy’s support.
- Supporters cite unreliable buddies, photography needs, familiar sites, and solitude as reasons for diving alone.
- Critics emphasize reduced margin for error, rejection of the buddy system, and risks of normalizing the practice for less prepared divers.
- The article takes a clear stance against solo diving, arguing that no gear replaces a competent partner for real-time problem solving.
Diving with a Camera
- Underwater photography adds challenge. Poor habits like damaging coral or ignoring buddies give photographers a bad reputation.
- Start small with compact rigs until buoyancy and gear discipline are second nature before moving to bigger setups.
- Safety comes first: stay with your buddy, track gas and depth, and never let the camera override basic dive awareness.
- Respect the reef, marine life, and other divers by minimizing impact, sharing space, and using lights responsibly.
- Practice good boat etiquette. Use designated camera rinse tanks and secure gear without hogging limited space.
Responsible Diver Code of Conduct
- A personal standard of diving built on habits, not rules; focusing on respect for team, environment, and culture.
- Core principles include leaving wildlife alone, mastering buoyancy, streamlining gear, and staying situationally aware.
- Low-impact choices start topside: secure equipment, minimize waste, and support operators who value safety and sustainability.
- Lead by example rather than preaching; influence others through consistent actions, not unsolicited corrections.
- Stay humble and present in every dive: trust is earned by awareness, reliability, and respect, not certifications or ego.
Dive Culture Decoder
- Cuts through common sayings and slogans to show how they shape mindset, planning, and team behavior in real dives.
- Encourages flexible planning and situational awareness instead of rigid phrases that shut down feedback.
- Clarifies buddy culture: proximity is not partnership, intent and communication define a real team.
- Explains misused jargon and fuzzy terms so teams define them clearly before the dive.
- Challenges agency and training clichés that excuse weak skills or planning, and promotes honest self assessment and practice.
Diver Archetype Series
- Breakdown of common diver personality patterns seen on boats and underwater
- Profiles like the Ghost Buddy, Card Collector, Vacation Diver, and more
- Strengths, risks, and blind spots for each archetype
- Encourages reflection and growth without judgment
Build Skills That Matter
Trim, buoyancy, emergency prep
and more, all explained simply.
Decode Dive Culture
Misused terms, risky sayings, and agency quirks—all translated.
Unpack the Weird StuffJust Getting Started?
New to diving or thinking about it?
This guide covers smart first steps.