Confessions of the Scuba Anti-Hero: Part 2

Your Scuba Anti-Hero

Many people haven’t been able to get to know the real me. Many have accused me of being egotistical and other nonsense. Unless you’ve been around me for quite some time, you may not know a few truths about my diving and views on diving. In this series, I want to give a few “confessions” to help people get to know me a little more better. Check back often for more of my confessions. [Read more...]

Saving the Scuba Industry: The Happy Customer

By Duane Johnson | Scuba Business

Happy Customers Grow Industries

I’d like to share with you something. About 90% of all of my new students come to me saying the same thing. The story goes like this. They took their open water class at local dive store XYZ. After their class, they didn’t feel like they could conduct scuba dives without the supervision of an instructor. When they talked to the kid behind the counter, he told them they needed to take the Advanced Open Water course to fill in the gaps. After taking the AOW course, the student still doesn’t feel any safer. They are on the verge of quitting diving. Then they find me. One thing I do well is to give customers what they want. If I cannot give it to them, I will work with them to help find an instructor or store that will. [Read more...]

PADI’s Go Pro Program, the Final Nail in the Coffin?

By Duane Johnson | Training

Duane Johnson - Tech Instructor

I’ve been receiving many emails and have seen advertisements for PADI’s Go Pro program. Basically, PADI is encouraging more and more people to become Divemasters or move up to Open Water Scuba Instructors. There might even be some kind of reward for instructors and stores to certify more dive professionals. Is this program beneficial to the diving industry or is it doing more harm than good? I feel that this program may be the final nail in the coffin for the diving industry. [Read more...]

Tips to Succeed as an Independent Scuba Instructor

By Duane Johnson | Scuba Business

I’ve been an independent instructor for three full years. During this time, I’ve learned quite a lot about the diving industry. As each year passes, I learn more and more. So I’d like to give a few tips to people who are, or contemplating becoming, independent instructors. These are just a few dos and don’ts that I’ve learned to help you become a successful independent scuba instructor. [Read more...]