S2:E27 | Cheap Scuba Classes are KILLING the Scuba Diving Industry, hurting students the most. The "Loss leader" or "Build a Following" model used by Dive Shops & Scuba Instructors simply doesn't work

Undervaluing the enormous amount of time, experience, equipment, prep, and patience it takes to teach scuba courses is killing the dive industry, and the customers and recreational divers out there get hit the hardest.

Mike and Kenny get to the very core of the dive industry’s lack of growth, when compared with similar industries. Further, this same root cause is why so few people keep diving after they get scuba certified. 

This cycle creates burnout on the Instructors and Divemasters, and sets up students to fail at their ultimate original goal: Confidence to be a scuba diver (aka the lifestyle). While many may still "catch the bug" in a basic discounted course, most either have to find additional training/guidance or simply never go diving again. This is mainly due to rushed courses, and lack of personal attention.

The “2 year burnout cycle" of the scuba instructor is caused by not charging what they’re worth, getting overworked with too many students, dive shops not not having the time to form lasting bonds, and ultimately not nurturing divers into this incredible world. 

Increased value increases value… for EVERYONE. 

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Michael Kest is a jury trial attorney with his own practice. He’s an active dive instructor with experience that ranges from working dive boats in South Florida and Hawaii, water safety at Sea World and Disney's Dive Quest, working for dive shops and teaching classes all over the world. He coaches kids sports on his spare time, and is a father of three.

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

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www.sweetwaterscuba.com