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  1. #1
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    Starting a dive career. Insiders thoughts.

    Is diving dead?

  2. #2
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    Davis Knowlton's Avatar
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    If you are attempting to start a thread about a diving career, why don't you trying starting it with some details, rather than a three-word post which is incomprehensible?

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by wrd
    Is diving dead?
    Davis has a valid point. We are not mind readers here.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by wrd
    Is diving dead?
    Yes and no.

    (Ignore the naysayers on this thread).

  5. #5
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    Dead divers are the one's to ask.

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    As a person that has been in the diving business here in Thailand for years I can say that if the best you can come up with to inquire about a diving career here is your OP then I would tell you to forget it.
    To succeed in the diving industry you need to be able to communicate with the public. Your post proves you are clueless at this skill.
    Try teaching English. You don't have to interact so much
    Treat everyone as a complete and utter idiot and you can only ever be pleasantly surprised !

  7. #7
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    Ok, sorry, just wanted to get you guys attention.

    Actually I wrote a list of more detailed questions, before I deleted it all and posted only the last sentence left.
    Guess I'm kinda in listening mood. I've been asking many questions lately but strangely enough always got the most valuable info when I wasn't. Anywayz.

    Ok, here's my case; I am seriously considering diving.
    I'm currently well employed (teaching) but since I like doing something different every three years I wonder if investing in a future dive career would be a sane thing to do?

    I'm very eager to know what do the guys and gals working in the industry think about the current and future situation in dive-instructor land.

    Thnks in advance

  8. #8
    splendid and tremendous
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    I have a position open for professional muff-divers.

    Please fill in an application form at - www.80yearoldnymphomaniacbitchesfromhell.com

  9. #9
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    Teaching diving, same same.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by wrd View Post
    Ok, sorry, just wanted to get you guys attention.

    Actually I wrote a list of more detailed questions, before I deleted it all and posted only the last sentence left.
    Guess I'm kinda in listening mood. I've been asking many questions lately but strangely enough always got the most valuable info when I wasn't. Anywayz.

    Ok, here's my case; I am seriously considering diving.
    I'm currently well employed (teaching) but since I like doing something different every three years I wonder if investing in a future dive career would be a sane thing to do?

    I'm very eager to know what do the guys and gals working in the industry think about the current and future situation in dive-instructor land.

    Thnks in advance
    Perhaps that wasn't the right kind of information either...

    How much experience do you have?

    What kind of diving career do you want?

    Do you have the capital to start your own shop? Do you have a Captain's license to run your own boat? Do you have contacts with folks in the dive industry in Thailand? This kind of info.

    Many moons ago, sitting in England, I thought I'd go to the islands and live a beautiful life as a diving instructor; I hadn't thought it through - all I really wanted was a holiday. I'd only ever done a few duves before... But, I booked 6 months worth of training in Phuket, did it all and found that I didn't particularly like diving or the dive scene, certainly didn't want to take folks underwater and be responsible for them. Nice holiday though...

    Many folks have decades of experience, love diving, are great divers and responsible and skilled at running dives. Why should you do them out of a job in a competitive marketplace? If you have what it takes, great.
    Cycling should be banned!!!

  11. #11
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    Well said betty..

  12. #12
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    I am a PADI Master Scuba Diver and before that was also qualified as an Army diver. I have been diving for decades. I never even considered teaching or running a dive shop. Huge hassles, lots and lots of competition, the problems of insurance and licensing in foreign countries, and not that big a return for small operators. You also need a LOT of front money. It's not like walking into McDonalds with your English for Dummies textbook.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Perhaps that wasn't the right kind of information either...

    How much experience do you have?
    Discover Scuba and yes I'm aware that sounds silly

    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    What kind of diving career do you want?
    Being a DM or instructor/deckhand for a few years on liveaboards first sailing/diving all sites SEA has to offer, later sailing the Pacific to end up co-operating a small but profitable/liveable diveshack on a Burmese beach. Kinda.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Do you have the capital to start your own shop? Do you have a Captain's license to run your own boat? Do you have contacts with folks in the dive industry in Thailand? This kind of info.
    Nope, nope, yes a little.
    I can manage to get financially and course-wise all the way to Instructor in a year. I'll be financially naked by then

    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Many moons ago, sitting in England, I thought I'd go to the islands and live a beautiful life as a diving instructor; I hadn't thought it through - all I really wanted was a holiday. I'd only ever done a few duves before... But, I booked 6 months worth of training in Phuket, did it all and found that I didn't particularly like diving or the dive scene, certainly didn't want to take folks underwater and be responsible for them. Nice holiday though...

    Many folks have decades of experience, love diving, are great divers and responsible and skilled at running dives. Why should you do them out of a job in a competitive marketplace? If you have what it takes, great.
    That's exactly the kind of advice I was aiming for, thnx Bettyboo.

  14. #14
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    So, in a nutshell: You have no experience in the diving industry, and no dive credentials or certifications other than some introductory dive course. You have no contacts in the industry. You have no money.

    Thus, I presume you are just looking for someone to chat with about diving.

    Best of luck.

  15. #15
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    A teacher dreaming, aint nuffink wrong wiv dat

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton View Post
    So, in a nutshell: You have no experience in the diving industry, and no dive credentials or certifications other than some introductory dive course. You have no contacts in the industry. You have no money.
    Exactly.
    I do have some money though, enough to do at least a DM for now, instructor might be for next year.

    Quote Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton View Post
    Thus, I presume you are just looking for someone to chat with about diving.
    That's what this board is made for no?

    Quote Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton View Post
    Best of luck.
    Thanks, appreciated.

    Any thoughts on my dream of the 'liveaboard-life' Davis?

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by wrd View Post
    .

    Any thoughts on my dream of the 'liveaboard-life' Davis?
    Not really. I don't know anything about that part of the industry. I have two friends who own very successful dive shops in Key West, Florida, so I know a bit about that through their experiences.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by wrd
    Any thoughts on my dream of the 'liveaboard-life' Davis?
    Davis deals in die-aboard schemes, wrd; tread carefully...


  19. #19
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    I think diving would be like any other form of employment first you need some form of qualification which costs money to get. ( A side note: I was interested once in a career as a helicopter pilot but instead of getting a PPL as a first step, I bought a car)

    Anyway if you want to be a dive instructor or ...or...or first you'll need to get some basic qualifications. After that you'll need to get more etc. If you want to be a commercial diver there are a few commercial diving schools mainly in the US? just pay the money like any other school. (helicopter pilot).

    If you think you can make a career on a palm fringed island well who knows but I think the chances are slim to none.

    If you are still young enough you could join the Navy?
    Better to think inside the pub, than outside the box?
    I apologize if any offence was caused. unless it was intended.
    You people, you think I know feck nothing; I tell you: I know feck all
    Those who cannot change their mind, cannot change anything.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton View Post

    I am a PADI Master Scuba Diver and before that was also qualified as an Army diver. I have been diving for decades. I never even considered teaching or running a dive shop. Huge hassles, lots and lots of competition.

    Spot on that Man.. I was going to write about my 7 years in the Industry but you've said it all Davis.

    Cheers

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by terry57 View Post
    Spot on that Man.. I was going to write about my 7 years in the Industry but you've said it all Davis.

    Cheers
    Please do write a little would you?
    That's really what I would like to hear about.

  22. #22
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    wrd my friend, go buy a book and read.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo
    I'd only ever done a few duves
    Bedroom antics again!

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillyBobThai View Post
    wrd my friend, go buy a book and read.
    Please explain.

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