why are there very few young divers?
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Minion_Diver
Contributor
Im 22 and started diving when I was 19. But I lucked into taking a class in college and it help cut down the initial costs of everything. I agree with the money aspect of it and not having it to go out and dive with. I believe another factor is trying to find a buddy to dive with that you are comfortable with. A lot of older people are more critical on us younger people because we are "young and dumb" even though there is the same level of training between us.
Im hoping now that I am almost out of college I will have more money to go diving and learn more about diving and get better at it.
Im hoping now that I am almost out of college I will have more money to go diving and learn more about diving and get better at it.
Triker
Registered
Good point on the dive buddy. It's been tough t times for me to find a buddy for local dives since my schedule (traditional M-F 8-4) doesn't mesh with many of the divers I know who are public safety and work all sorts of shifts and mostly live a couple hours away. Hopefully as time goes on I will find a few divers that live around my little town and able to mesh with my schedule.
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victorzamora
Contributor
Rereading this, I felt the need to put a disclaimer up here. I'm not angry, I'm offended. I'm frustrated.
So, I'm 23 years old. My wife is 22. We're saving up to buy a house. We graduated college this past May. My first dive was when I was 11, I was certified at 13. She was certified at 20. I paid for her certification, a trip for both of us to Roatan, full sets of gear for us (including a lot of Tech/Cave stuff for me), Cavern/Intro for me. I paid for 3 NC wreck trips (2 for me, 1 for her). Scuba is also not my only hobby. Since I've gotten a job, my expenditures have increased....and we're still on track to saving for a big down payment. My college degree was in Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech. It's one of the hardest Bachelor's Degrees to get. I worked my tail off in school and out of school to afford doing what I want. I graduated into a job market where the job placement was the worst Virginia Tech has had in decades. College tuition is at an all-time high, growing exponentially. The expectations put upon people is higher now than it ever has been (lots of studies actually attributing a huge increase in suicides to this factor alone), the pace is faster than it has been and it's expected of me to not only keep up but stay ahead of all advances. My usage of a smart phone isn't a "want"...it's a necessity. I use my phone for more than many people use their computers, as it's expected of me. I am very politically informed. I enjoy the intricacies of sports more than the basics, and I devote rather than "bucket list". I have competed internationally in a MULTITUDE of sports, and have reached rather exclusive heights in multiple hobbies (Cave Diving, for example).
Having said that, I hope everyone here understands how offended I am by the talks of youth being irresponsible, lazy, broke, or what have you. I play video games on occasion, sure.....but normally it's been at 4AM after having worked for 46 consecutive hours and being too wound up to be able to go to sleep before being expected to start back over at 8AM. Disparaging people collectively because of age is as offensive and as discriminatory as racial or religious prejudices. There are plenty of people my age that fit your description, but there are also plenty of examples of people of older generations that have been worse than any example listed. Example? My tax money is going into Social Security. The elderly are drawing on it. Am I ever going to see a dime of it? NOPE.
I think there are a few contributing factors to why there aren't as many of "us" in the diving scene. One is definitely cost. I was fortunate enough to have supportive parents that were willing and able to pay for my "needs" as I went through college, so that my funds were for my "wants," where many other students aren't that fortunate. Working >100hrs a week every week means very little time for an income, and that's for those fortunate enough to be able to afford college in the first place. Those that can't afford college now are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to finding high paying jobs, moreso now than ever before. The jobs we DO have are expecting more from us than ever before, and because of the economy we're forced to work harder because someone with more experience and the same degree as me is willing to do it for the same price. Another reason is because of people similar to a lot of the opinions in this thread. I'm half your age, so clearly I can't be a "serious" diver? I've seen more elderly divers think they were good/experienced that ended up being disgraceful in the water than youth....but the youth still have to deal these negative attitudes? I haven't experienced this much while actually diving, but I've heard a lot of "barking" above the water. Another serious factor is the internet. I've heard of more things through the internet than I have without it. Red Bull Flugtag? Zorbing? I wouldn't have heard of these things without the internet. It gives me a MUCH wider range of options. Plus, as tiny as the world is now it's really easy to get to other things and hear about things from other places. With the tiny amounts of time and money we "youth" have, there are too many other good options to spend our time and money.
So, I'm 23 years old. My wife is 22. We're saving up to buy a house. We graduated college this past May. My first dive was when I was 11, I was certified at 13. She was certified at 20. I paid for her certification, a trip for both of us to Roatan, full sets of gear for us (including a lot of Tech/Cave stuff for me), Cavern/Intro for me. I paid for 3 NC wreck trips (2 for me, 1 for her). Scuba is also not my only hobby. Since I've gotten a job, my expenditures have increased....and we're still on track to saving for a big down payment. My college degree was in Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech. It's one of the hardest Bachelor's Degrees to get. I worked my tail off in school and out of school to afford doing what I want. I graduated into a job market where the job placement was the worst Virginia Tech has had in decades. College tuition is at an all-time high, growing exponentially. The expectations put upon people is higher now than it ever has been (lots of studies actually attributing a huge increase in suicides to this factor alone), the pace is faster than it has been and it's expected of me to not only keep up but stay ahead of all advances. My usage of a smart phone isn't a "want"...it's a necessity. I use my phone for more than many people use their computers, as it's expected of me. I am very politically informed. I enjoy the intricacies of sports more than the basics, and I devote rather than "bucket list". I have competed internationally in a MULTITUDE of sports, and have reached rather exclusive heights in multiple hobbies (Cave Diving, for example).
Having said that, I hope everyone here understands how offended I am by the talks of youth being irresponsible, lazy, broke, or what have you. I play video games on occasion, sure.....but normally it's been at 4AM after having worked for 46 consecutive hours and being too wound up to be able to go to sleep before being expected to start back over at 8AM. Disparaging people collectively because of age is as offensive and as discriminatory as racial or religious prejudices. There are plenty of people my age that fit your description, but there are also plenty of examples of people of older generations that have been worse than any example listed. Example? My tax money is going into Social Security. The elderly are drawing on it. Am I ever going to see a dime of it? NOPE.
I think there are a few contributing factors to why there aren't as many of "us" in the diving scene. One is definitely cost. I was fortunate enough to have supportive parents that were willing and able to pay for my "needs" as I went through college, so that my funds were for my "wants," where many other students aren't that fortunate. Working >100hrs a week every week means very little time for an income, and that's for those fortunate enough to be able to afford college in the first place. Those that can't afford college now are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to finding high paying jobs, moreso now than ever before. The jobs we DO have are expecting more from us than ever before, and because of the economy we're forced to work harder because someone with more experience and the same degree as me is willing to do it for the same price. Another reason is because of people similar to a lot of the opinions in this thread. I'm half your age, so clearly I can't be a "serious" diver? I've seen more elderly divers think they were good/experienced that ended up being disgraceful in the water than youth....but the youth still have to deal these negative attitudes? I haven't experienced this much while actually diving, but I've heard a lot of "barking" above the water. Another serious factor is the internet. I've heard of more things through the internet than I have without it. Red Bull Flugtag? Zorbing? I wouldn't have heard of these things without the internet. It gives me a MUCH wider range of options. Plus, as tiny as the world is now it's really easy to get to other things and hear about things from other places. With the tiny amounts of time and money we "youth" have, there are too many other good options to spend our time and money.
Tessunderwater
Contributor
Well said victor. I'm going through the same thing, shift work nights, school during the day while the government takes a huge chunk of my paycheck. Then year after year tuition increases by about 7 percent. I'm 32 but I started diving at 29 and it's the only thing that I use to escape all that stress. I too believe that SS will not be there for me when I reach retirement age. This is why my island plan has to work. I'm lucky enough to have a job that I can afford my hobby an go to school to move onto bigger and better things. I know a lot of 25 to 35 year old divers who are a lot more mature In and out of the water than some of the older divers out there.
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Victor, I hope none of us meant to say that we don't see more young divers because most of them are "irresponsible, lazy, broke, or what have you." I certainly didn't, even though I said something about the lack of time and money among young people. But I do think that if more young people were like you (VA Tech engineering grad, goal-oriented, driven, etc.) and other young people who have responded on this thread, we'd see more young people diving despite all the obstacles you mentioned. I don't believe you are the norm. I guess I'm not contradicting anything you said. Anyway, kudos for continuing diving along with all your other endeavors.
victorzamora
Contributor
Lorenzoid, I'm definitely NOT the norm. I don't pretend to be. However, age has nothing to do with that. I'll be this way if I live to be 1000 years old. There are people of all generations that are much more driven than me, and there will continue to be people much more driven than me. There are also people of all generations that are lazy, worthless, pieces of garbage....and there always will be. My point is that neither age nor generation have anything to do with who you are inside. I think that diving IS dominated by a more elderly age group than I belong to.....but I don't think the direct factor is age.
Example of what I mean by direct: John Doe is 24 years old, and isn't a diver. Is it because he's 24? Kinda. He has a job that pays poorly, and can't grow because of the economy. Since he's new, he gets very little time off. He spends what little time off he has with his hydrophobic wife.....or his sick mom in the hospital...or whatever. Or his disposable income is non-existant due to having to pay off his college loans. So, yeah, it's because he's 24....but it's not because he's too imature, or that he doesn't have the discipline to master such a psychologically demanding hobby.
Age is what brings the opportunity to do things. When you're older, you've had more time to get better established in a higher paying career with more benefits (like more days off....my biggest problem right now). Your kids are out of college, so you don't have that hanging over your head. So you have more time, more money, and less expenses....EVERY hobby is much more open to you, except for motocross and snowboarding and all of those physically abusive hobbies.
---------- Post added October 10th, 2013 at 03:54 PM ----------
About needing more people that are driven: I agree. But I think all generations need more "gusto" in their population. The world is much too complacent. People are far too lazy. If the whole population were more driven, more competetive, just imagine what could be accomplished.
Example of what I mean by direct: John Doe is 24 years old, and isn't a diver. Is it because he's 24? Kinda. He has a job that pays poorly, and can't grow because of the economy. Since he's new, he gets very little time off. He spends what little time off he has with his hydrophobic wife.....or his sick mom in the hospital...or whatever. Or his disposable income is non-existant due to having to pay off his college loans. So, yeah, it's because he's 24....but it's not because he's too imature, or that he doesn't have the discipline to master such a psychologically demanding hobby.
Age is what brings the opportunity to do things. When you're older, you've had more time to get better established in a higher paying career with more benefits (like more days off....my biggest problem right now). Your kids are out of college, so you don't have that hanging over your head. So you have more time, more money, and less expenses....EVERY hobby is much more open to you, except for motocross and snowboarding and all of those physically abusive hobbies.
---------- Post added October 10th, 2013 at 03:54 PM ----------
About needing more people that are driven: I agree. But I think all generations need more "gusto" in their population. The world is much too complacent. People are far too lazy. If the whole population were more driven, more competetive, just imagine what could be accomplished.
Okay, I see your distinction now. I don't recall posts in which someone took the position that a "direct" factor was age, but maybe I overlooked them.
drrich2
Contributor
As diving has been compared to other things, particularly smart phones as a 'cost comparator,' an issue comes up. I love to scuba dive, and I have an iPhone (an old iPhone 4 for now, not a 4S, 5 or 5S). If someone is considering where to invest their money...
A smart phone will be used daily by most, offers texting to stay in touch with loved ones and get messages out without intruding as a phone call does, convenient e-mail checking, a weather app. for the weather, and casual internet surfing at any time (e.g.: during lunch) that the I.T. people at your job can't monitor.
You benefit 365 days/year.
A scuba hobby for someone who doesn't live near good diving conditions (and doesn't consider deep, cold water lake or quarry diving 'good'), is probably going to amount to 1 or 2 one-week trips per year to a tropical ocean region (e.g.: Florida Keys, Cozumel, Bonaire), if that, and if having to travel with non-divers, diving 5 or 6 days may be hard to pull off even then.
The return-on-investment does not compare well for most.
The issue for most is not being able to afford a scuba hobby if you give up a smart phone with monthly data plan, & other hobbies or a 'fun' lifestyle (e.g.: eating out, booze if you drink, your cable bill, etc...).
For most, it's being able to afford a scuba hobby on top of that other stuff.
Richard.
A smart phone will be used daily by most, offers texting to stay in touch with loved ones and get messages out without intruding as a phone call does, convenient e-mail checking, a weather app. for the weather, and casual internet surfing at any time (e.g.: during lunch) that the I.T. people at your job can't monitor.
You benefit 365 days/year.
A scuba hobby for someone who doesn't live near good diving conditions (and doesn't consider deep, cold water lake or quarry diving 'good'), is probably going to amount to 1 or 2 one-week trips per year to a tropical ocean region (e.g.: Florida Keys, Cozumel, Bonaire), if that, and if having to travel with non-divers, diving 5 or 6 days may be hard to pull off even then.
The return-on-investment does not compare well for most.
The issue for most is not being able to afford a scuba hobby if you give up a smart phone with monthly data plan, & other hobbies or a 'fun' lifestyle (e.g.: eating out, booze if you drink, your cable bill, etc...).
For most, it's being able to afford a scuba hobby on top of that other stuff.
Richard.
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