Dr bill, thought on this, close to home in thought, My wife has not dove since july, we are divorcing, she has half of all the scuba gear, and that is more than most dream of. I believe she will only dive if on vacation, and will not go for a diving vacation, her local diving faded, I of course did all prep and made it happen, so it was easy for her.
Had a little dive dinner, ling cod, cabezon, jeff won a thousand dollars through work, his wife does not dive, and they do mexico, they booked cozumel, when it came up at dinner and drinks, she said she cancelled, and decided non diving destination.
The decision in diving, is a single one, and you have to be willing to persuade others in your life. Her side of the family always acted like I am a weird freak, I only like to dive on vacation.
People change, I have not, and people that do not change still dive. If you get all the people that do not like change, you will have a big pool of divers. Dr bill, you and I are in the same boat, I have asked many of divers to get back in to it, they never do, I hassel, and ask why, time, life has changed, money, U name it. I have slowed as I am depressed, yet I need to go dive, when you make it a lifestyle, it is a way of life.
So you ask how to keep them diving after certification, Free is the only way, if every thing was free, free gear, free air, free boat dives, free instruction, and then there answer will be that they do not have any free time.
It is alot of work, clean gear, maintain it, put it away, get it out. I am always praised on my setup, its easy, boat is easy. yet I have to do it. and there is time involved. Energy and be fit, Its easier when in great shape, yet It is a relaxing thing to do for the most part.
Once they get certified the thrill is over, they seen movies, went to the aquarium, they will go on vacation and possibly do it, but it has been a long time so they decline.
With new divers here on scubaboard every day, I see this is the best shot there is at keeping divers after certification.
Happy Diving