If you wish to begin a dialog amongst divers, ask somebody what impressed them to begin and maintain diving. You’ll hear every kind of solutions – some will likely be very particular and heard repeatedly. For instance, divers of my technology usually cite being impressed by the Nineteen Fifties tv present Sea Hunt (as reruns within the Nineteen Sixties and ’70s; in the present day, episodes like this one are on YouTube) as getting them began. Equally, considerably youthful generations point out The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and flicks like The Deep and The Abyss.
Different responses are extra basic. You’ll usually hear about searching for journey and pleasure or being drawn to undersea pure magnificence. Typically divers speak about having distinctive experiences, like feeling weightless and respiratory underwater. Problem comes up loads – freedivers particularly say the bodily problem coupled with the peacefulness and meditation introduced them in, and mermaid divers usually point out occasions, cosplay and expressing themselves artistically underwater. As nicely, diving generally begins on a whim whereas on vacation, but grows right into a lifelong ardour.
As their tales unfold, nonetheless, there’s one factor all the time in widespread: somebody who suggestions curiosity into lasting motion. All of us have somebody who impressed us to begin diving, mentored us as we grew as divers, or each. Consider your individual story – there was somebody (or a couple of) who prodded you and/or took you beneath their wing. You already know who it’s as a result of their face simply popped into your head as you learn this. That’s the somebody who received you into the diving way of life and/or ensured diving wasn’t a been-there-done-that one-off.
Be that somebody.
Lots of people you already know are enthusiastic about diving, however haven’t achieved it as a result of they’re intimidated. Or, they assume they gained’t have anybody to dive with. Or, they assume they’ll’t as a result of X, Y or Z – none of that are true. The record goes on, however you can translate their curiosity into truly moving into diving. Right here’s how:
- Don’t disguise that you simply’re a diver; share your adventures. I’m not saying each dialog must be about diving, but when it comes up naturally, share sufficient to be conversational. Publish pics of your dive adventures on social media. The concept is that if a buddy desires to know extra about diving, naturally, you’re the one to ask.
- Invite somebody to attempt diving (in a pool often sounds much less formidable to first timers) in the event that they ask you about diving or present enthusiasm. Supply to introduce them to an awesome teacher – your favourite at your PADI Dive Middle. Sit on the laptop with them and present them how to join PADI eLearning.
- Don’t inform them it’s simple – nor that it’s onerous. Most individuals don’t wish to hear – or gained’t imagine – that it’s simple. Most issues price doing have challenges and require effort. However you and I do know it’s not insurmountably tough. As a substitute, reply questions and dispel misinformation based mostly on what you already know and your experiences as brazenly and truthfully as you’ll be able to. Take note of what about diving pursuits them, and clarify studying to dive with these pursuits in thoughts.
- Go along with them to their Uncover Scuba Diving expertise or first PADI Open Water Diver course assembly, in case you can, however at the least take them in individual to fulfill the dive store employees. A private reference to their dive professional is reassuring – whether or not they’re only a bit fearful about wanting silly or have a real hesitance about trusting dive gear and respiratory underwater. (Wish to skip this step? Develop into a PADI Teacher and be the connection.)
- Stick with them, at the least once they begin. You’re extra skilled, so recommend outings, dives and programs that you simply assume line up with their pursuits and assist them increase their circle of diver associates. Be a part of them at your dive heart’s occasions and encourage them to remain plugged into the shop’s dive membership and PADI Membership – and naturally, go diving with them. Briefly, develop as divers collectively.
It’s not a gross sales pitch and also you’re not asking them to hitch a cult, so no massive deal in the event that they flip down your invitation. (Yeah, some will. I don’t perceive it both.) However, main somebody into diving is a house run with the bases loaded. The brand new diver wins a life-transforming expertise that heals and provides many types of journey and self-fulfillment. Whether or not they’re introverts or extroverts, it connects them to new social circles and varieties a bridge to new cultures. It opens their eyes to Earth’s many underwater worlds – locations that, even in the present day, solely a small minority of individuals have visited.
The ocean wins with a brand new diver who’s a possible Ocean Torchbearer – a witness and an advocate to assist flip the ocean’s future in a optimistic route. Every new Ocean Torchbearer is somebody supporting PADI AWARE, native and worldwide conservation initiatives by influencing insurance policies and contributing to citizen science – a pressure for good.
And, you win with one other buddy in diving – a dive buddy, somebody who goes on dive journeys with you, and so forth. Individuals who dive collectively usually develop deep relationships (no pun supposed) that final a lifetime and attain throughout oceans. Many individuals meet their husbands or wives by way of diving. I’d guess you’d agree that of all of the treasures on this planet, a detailed buddy is essentially the most beneficial.
So, be that any individual. By sharing diving, you give and get great, shocking items.
Search journey. Save the ocean.
Dr. Drew Richardson
PADI President & CEO
PS – By way of the remainder of 2025, by way of the PADI Refer-A-Pal Problem, you’ll be able to earn reductions and have an opportunity to win dive tools whenever you signal somebody up for the PADI Open Water Diver eLearning – they usually get a reduction, too. Click on the hyperlink and learn the way.
