The Truth about the Scuba Diving Industry

[@Niemand2323]

Thanks for your video! You are absolutely right. It is a big exploitation happening the dive industry. The profit from others people's passion. It is very sad to see, and almost everyone is accepting it. I think its time for a diver union, where we fight for fair payment world wide...

[@OceanPancake]

I think talking about it is the first step, but yes ideally we start a divers union where instructors are paid according to their experience and the difficulty of the job. Whether or not many people want the job. I understand it is a supply and demand.

[@aroseprince]

this is an important issue to talk about and I am glad you took the time to tell people to look out for themselves

[@OceanPancake]

Step one in knowing what to expect is to learn about it.

[@chrisphilhower6029]

It's not just the Staff. Some Shops push people into signing up for Classes. Passing them when they should Fail. There was article back awhile ago about a New Diver and a Dry suit. Loaded with Unremovable weights. No Inflator Hose. She lost her life and the Shop Tried to cover it up.

[@OceanPancake]

That's absolutely horrible. I'm so sorry to hear that. Definitely important to not pass people who are not safe divers, unfortunately diving has become so commercialised that big dive companies frequently pass people who are not ready and thst can lead to accidents

[@chrisphilhower6029]

@@OceanPancake My Shop Trained me well enough to Know what to do in Certain Situations. I don't mean Lost Mask. Or Free Flow Reg. Like in my case. Separated and Lost in Low Vis(2-3Ft). An Unsupervised Ascent from 30 Ft. I stayed Calm and in Control. Even when my (Personal) computer screamed at me for Ascending too fast at about 15 ft. Without Kicking, BCD Purge open. I quickly realized what was happening, Performed a CESA with a Slow Exhale. I made it through without getting hurt. The Shop wants me to go AOW. I told them I am interested in Search and Recovery. I'm Good at finding things.

[@chrisphilhower6029]

@@OceanPancake There is an article on Divernet. I tried to post a link. But YT removed it

[@kevinong1735]

You speak of the Linnea Mills incident.

[@chrisphilhower6029]

@@kevinong1735 Exactly. My Shop was nowhere as bad as that. I guess my Biggest Gripe is the Time it took to get OW Certified. Pool Session in May 2023. Lake Dives in Aug 2023. AOW Class?? Who knows.

[@caferpeksen9334]

You're absoulety right about abuse in the dive industry.

[@OceanPancake]

Did you have any experience with it?

[@caferpeksen9334]

Yes, I have seen some of the dive instructors take advantage of their students' weaknesses. Last season, one of the scuba instructors abused his students. Unfortunately, she left the job. @@OceanPancake

[@marcdaniel1347]

Am really glad I just watched this video now. Am in the process of planning how I will be doing my Dive Masters, and was almost tempted to sign up for a covered internship. Even if the intern 'saves money', they lose plenty of valuable time that is worth much more from your calculations. So thanks Katt, will consider that as I continue my research when I plan doing my DM, even with my favourite Dive shop.

[@OceanPancake]

I'm so glad it could be of help! It's too easy to fall for one of these "too good to be true"

[@johnwilliamsscuba6487]

There is a lot about the scuba industry I don't like. Especially the way employees are treated at some shops.

[@OceanPancake]

Unfortunatrly because so many people want the dream job, certain companies see them as replacable.

[@ilyafilru]

It's exactly the same in skydiving. I'm and instructor part-time in California. I'm considered an independent contractor and I set a clear boundary that I'm just that. I always paid my way to ensure I have freedom to leave any time I want. I have a real job though and do not rely on the sport to make money. I've met many instructors who are "stuck" in the sport.

[@OceanPancake]

Yes that would be a very scary thought "stuck" in any particular job etc. Keeping it part time does allow you to still love it

[@ilyafilru]

@@OceanPancake Also I don't jump in the winter, it's a nice break from the sport. I actually wan to get back into SCUBA. I sold all my gear a few years ago thinking I'm done. But I find myself diving again lately. :)

[@jwjco]

Good to see you Pancake.

[@benheckendorn2696]

😢 this is very sad to hear, because the idea isn't bad, to work so you get the divemaster for free, it's an amazing idea, because few may wouldn't afford the costs, so yes it's still okay if you would work more then if you would work if you would get paid, but the thing is they miss use this. 3 weeks unpaid work to be a divemaster would be the max I would accept. Because divemaster isn't this expensive, I guess it's all ready payed after two weeks. Oh by the way, I meant 21 days unpaid, but working as a divemaster, sure cleaning is a part of ever job, but what they do sounds more like you practice your skills as a "Toilette -divemaster" c'mon this is just awful! Why does PADI or SSI never stop this: the rueles should be: 2 weeks= divemaster for free 2 month (max) = instructor for free ( of course dive instructor and maybe two specialities) What do you think about my solution?

[@OceanPancake]

I think those are fair numbers. If people need more experience, then they should have the option to gather it. But 3 months as a requirement of long hours and tough days is too much. They're being used for free labour, it's not about the experience. I don't know how many of those 3 months are actually contributing to valuable skills in the divemaster. I taught multiple divemasters and it may have taken 4 months, but we went on dives every weekend (or second weekend) we had maybe 6 theory sessions in the evenings dispursed through that time. They still studied or worked and lived their own life.

[@Daveador876]

I've just finished my DM internship in Cambodia. 6 months, got my accommodation, food and training paid for. Worked 7 days a week, dived more or less every day. Had a few off days due to rainy season. I helped out in the office and the kitchen. I did feel a little exploited but I had a great time out there gained a lot of experienced. I was guiding a DSD with an instructor on my second day.

[@OceanPancake]

So situations like this can end really badly, under trained and over worked some people can have physical health issues or if a dive accident occurs then that can be life changing. I'm glad you had a good experience though!

[@caseyrayls6234]

I just started my DiveMaster in KY USA. $1,200. I paid for it up front.

[@richmartin1427]

Katt what you describe here sadly is not limited to the scuba industry but it is common in a lot of industries as our economy is over financialized. I am blessed that I make a good living in my career but I know that the corporate world focuses more on screwing workers, maximizing profits, and keeping the profits for themselves. That being said, after watching your videos and getting a few dives under my belt, i am so glad I got certified where I did. The guy who runs the shop does it mainly as a hobby and isn’t in it to make a lot of money as he has another business for that. But he trains the right way, and he will make sure that he doesn’t sell you stuff you don’t need, such as a 200 dollar pair of fins when you are a beginner. And seeing an operation that I dove with in Cancun, even though the workers there were great and took care of me, I do see the profit motive overriding other concerns, which will only lead to bad consequences going forward. Thanks for all you do for the hobby. Your videos helped get me interested, and if our paths ever cross, I would love to dive with you sometime.

[@OceanPancake]

Thanks for your comment! There are so many amazing dive shop operators out there and I will always shout out the ones I've had great experiences with.

[@Tyler-kc6qc]

First of all thank you for the heads-up info. It's good to have a preview of what might happen to me or anyone else wanting to make a career out of this. It is gonna be unrelated but I thought you would have knowledge on that subject. I wanted to ask you if it's common for the Scuba Resorts/Schools in Australia to sponsor for work&residency permit for foreign instructors happen to be from Non-EU Countries/America or do they offer help on this subject? Thanks a lot. 🎉

[@OceanPancake]

Hi unfortunately i do not know too much about sponsorships, but i know that dive instructor is on the list of skills that australia accepts for regional sponsorships. You will have to contact dive shops insividually to see what they offer

[@Tyler-kc6qc]

@@OceanPancake Thank you so much for the information. I wish you the best!

[@JuDivet]

The timing of this video is great, im looking to become a divemaster in January! If you have more tips or a recommended place id love to hear it!

[@OceanPancake]

Where you planning on going? It's worth doing your research and talking to current and past instructors and dms to find the best fit for you

[@JuDivet]

Im looking for a spanish speaking place, i have my eyes on Utila college of diving. Im open to any suggestion though! I will have a conversation with the head of it soon, and im collecting some questions to ask them

[@benheckendorn2696]

I wish you still were a dive instructor, because with you passion and love your have so much to give, if you would have a divecenter it would be a 7Star divecenter, just because of your love and passion. You are such an amazing girl. I hope you don't mind I would love to huge you. 🫂

[@OceanPancake]

Very kind words. I had an incrediblentime teaching hundreds of students over the past 8 years. The dive shops I worked at showed me the high standard we expect from our customers and instructors themselves

[@benheckendorn2696]

I guess this high standarts should make the difference between a five star divecenter and a none five star divecenter. But as far as I know, this is not the way PADI does. I did my AOWD and the deep dive certification with a 5Star divecenter, in Spain, which really decerves 5Stars, on the other hand near where I live is also a 5Star divecenter, I don't like to blame others, but when I ask how much lead I need, I expect the divecenter asking me what kind of wetsuit or dry suit I wear, but not: you need 12kg. We do all mistakes, but if I went to a 5Star divecenter I don't expect this, by the way, He works as a dive instructor, so he should know it better. As I said I don't want to blame them, I blame the system which is behind the 5star - system. If you like I would love if you would do a video about, because you worked as a dive instructor, so I'm sure you got a lot to tell about the: good, bad and ugly about the 5star divecenters.

[@OceanPancake]

@benheckendorn2696 I can definitely make a video about dive center and their star systems

[@benheckendorn2696]

I can't wait, because I believe your thoughts are much more honestly, because from your vides, I know you don't see just the good or bad. You thoughts are honest and real.

[@OceanPancake]

@@benheckendorn2696 I appreciate your words. I try and provide transparency and objective thoughts on the topic

[@warrendavis1057]

Love your passion

[@OceanPancake]

Thanks! I hope you learned something new :)

[@aftvlog3925]

I did my advanced open water course 3 years a go. I completed and passed all the requirements. including deep diving, navigation, night diving etc but still I have not received my certificate. the instructor keep ignoring me so I decided to stay as an open water diver even doing deep diving, night diving, drift diving eventhough it might be illegal.

[@OceanPancake]

Thats really strange. Did you ever get your certification? Potentislly consider reporting them to PADI

[@caferpeksen9334]

You should report to Padi, man. I have been working in this industry for 3 years. Unfortunately, I have witnessed some diving instructors doing the same thing to their customers. They take money from them but do not give them their certificates.

[@Scubamaddin]

True words!!

[@OceanPancake]

Would love to hear your experience or thoughts on it!

[@chrisrichardson4899]

May I suggest when doing back of envelope weeks to a month use 4.2 not 4. It works out to 4.32 but with a 2 week vacation and any holiday/sick bleed, 4.2 is a really good number to use. That would make your argument even more compelling. The industry does what you say, and sadly uses the cheap labour to keep instructional prices artificially low that profits them while being exploitive, is also creating a barrier for entry to competition. You can get a instructor trying to compete and do OK, but unless they get outside funding they can't afford to compete with the established players because they have to be close to market rates established by the big players. Oh yeah, along with 30 yrs in dive industry, have a MBA

[@OceanPancake]

In diving I found that vacation and holidays are not counted. Especially in these 3 month programs or 100 days as mentioned in th video. So it doesnt really matter if I included the .2

[@eddybrownII]

I paid for my #Divemaster and #IDC and I still had a shop take advantage of me. They tried to tell me their shop #training was unpaid. This turned out to be all the teaching roles I was in. I only could get paid for non diving roles. I ended up having to step out of the professional diving industry to catch up and reset

[@OceanPancake]

I'm so sorry to hear that! It's insane that dive shops think they can get away with it. I hope you've recovered and hopefully found a better place who will value your skills and time!

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Important information for anyone thinking of pursuing a professional career in the dive industry 👍

[@carlesp.r.8441]

Any opinion or reaction to the guys diving in chernovil nuclear blown power plant?

[@tvelocidad]

All truth. Why do you have closed captions on your video when youtube gives you that option?

[@OceanPancake]

Just helps with editing sometimes :)

[@DavidMaruca_]

@@OceanPancake Us Deaf and Hard of Hearing divers appreciate it too. Yours are accurate and easy to read. Autocaptions are full of errors and timing glitches.

[@oldrichandrysek2709]

All dive instructor should really have a unión...but that will never happen.

[@kevinallen4445]

Agree with the spirit and 95% of the content of this video. I have always been recommending people to pay for the course and have heard absolute horror stories about internships. But... The money calculation you present is very region specific. You mention minimum wage for Australia which is a little skewed. If you are from a "first world country", by all means, just pay for the course. Cost of living is high, and the course prices you mentioned - let's say there are plenty of places in the world where the DM or IDC doesn't cost half the amount you stated. But imagine you are a young person growing up in Thailand, Honduras, Sri Lanka, Tanzania or dozens of other places in the world... Where an average income is between 3 and 11 USD a DAY, the course cost can be a serious challenge. For those people doing an internship (in their own country) can be a viable alternative to get into the tourist industry and make a decent income supplemented by tips. Oh, one last thing - You didn't mention the pitfall if the never-ending internship, which I have come across in people's stories a few times. A 3 month internship where you spend your days lugging tanks and rinsing gear and sweeping floors, after which the shop evaluates your skills aren't up to standard yet, you may have not gotten the training (because paying customers first and being taught is for slow days), so your internship is extended by a month, then another, then another... Still dangling the "by next month you can be a certified DM"-carrot in front of you.

[@OceanPancake]

Yeah that dangling carrot scenario is absolutely horrific and I have luckily not witnessed that first hand anywhere. But just really scary how some dive shops do that. And yes, I mentioned Australia's minimum wage standards as that's where I live and that's the prices I'm most familiar with. I think people should do their own calculations for their area. :)

[@johnsfitnesschannel5367]

Ocean Pancake there is a lot of misinformation and BS out there I'd like to discuss a few things with you.

[@oldrichandrysek2709]

Good job!!!

[@JamesLamb]

Australians like to brag about their high minimum wage, but they don't talk about all the ways employers avoid actually paying for hours worked. Not just in diving - taking advantage of young people on work visas is a huge industry here. Typically young people wait until the last moment to put in their work requirements for the visa and end up getting trapped by the worst employers who know they have to get the hours in.

[@OceanPancake]

What realities of diving have you witnessed? This video is my opinion and does not reflect any of the amazing dive shops i have worked in. They instead, showed me the expectations i should have for myself, my bosses, colleagues and students.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

That’s sad

[@OceanPancake]

There's definitely good and bad dive shops out there, just need people to be aware of situations they may be put into.

[@chiangbaktan2741]

Too bad that most of the work place exploit intern 😢

[@OceanPancake]

Yeah, you just never know how long those internships will last and what value you will actually get.

[@Mikesworld777]

😂😂 I go help Pual Heinerth at the shop quite often. I don’t mind. I couldn’t work full time to trade out training though. That’s just nuts

[@OceanPancake]

Yeah! Completely different helping here or there, but the more than full time work where you might not even get the best quality training

[@divemaster_cj]

You lost me at “48 hours a day”

[@OceanPancake]

Maybe I said 4 to 8 hours a day?