The Dive Table

In this episode, Jay and Sarah explore the topic of parenting and diving with their guest, Laura Pohjanen, from Dark Side Divers. The discussion covers considerations when balancing diving and parenting, the unique experience of being a diver and a mom, the physical and mental challenges, and the importance of support from partners and the diving community. They also touch on introducing children to swimming and water sports, language barriers in parenting, and the societal expectations around parenthood.If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcastsSend the link to the show, ‘divetable.com,’ to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say,’Howdy!’Join us on our Facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetable LauraDarkSide Divers on InstagramDarkSide DiversThe Dive Tablehttps://www.thedivetable.com/The Dive Table Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetableInstagram@thedivetableGardner Underwaterhttps://gardnerunderwater.com/Sarah Millerwww.azulunlimited.comFish Dive Surf, Inc.https://fishdivesurf.com/

Greg Hamman, owner of Gayscuba.com, discusses his experience as a queer person in the diving industry and the importance of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ divers. He highlights the role of LGBTQ+ scuba clubs in providing support and resources for divers and the progress that has been made in some destinations. Greg also addresses the challenges of homophobia and discrimination that still exist in the industry and the need for allies to speak up and take a stand. He emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and listening to the concerns of marginalized divers to ensure their safety and comfort.  Greg also discuss the challenges that still exist in the industry and the importance of individual conversations and relationships in promoting understanding and acceptance.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:02 Challenges Faced by LGBTQ+ Divers07:54 The Role of Allies in Creating Safe Spaces13:04 Progress and Challenges in the Diving Industry22:51 Situational Awareness and Diver Safety28:13 Introduction and the Equality of Diving32:58 The Importance of a Welcoming Environment for Divers39:07 Welcoming LGBTQ+ Divers in Destinations44:16 Creating a Safe Learning Environment for Divers48:57 Challenges and the Role of Allies in the Diving Community53:19 Looking Towards the Future and Advocating for ChangeIf you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcastsSend the link to the show, ‘divetable.com,’ to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say,’Howdy!’Join us on our Facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetable Greg Hammanhttps://www.gayscuba.com/The Dive Tablehttps://www.thedivetable.com/The Dive Table Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetableInstagram@thedivetableGardner Underwaterhttps://gardnerunderwater.com/Sarah Millerwww.azulunlimited.comFish Dive Surf, Inc.https://fishdivesurf.com/

Note:  I apologize for the technical difficulty that Jay's microphone was experiencing.  It is rectified at the 18:50 minute mark.In this conversation, Jay, Sarah, and Ara discuss the lack of diversity in the scuba diving industry and the impact it has on different communities. They explore the experiences of being a person of color in the diving world, the stereotypes and discrimination faced by divers from different backgrounds, and the role of marketing and representation in perpetuating these biases. They also touch on the financial barriers that prevent many individuals from marginalized communities from accessing diving opportunities. The conversation covers topics such as the lack of access to diving for Filipinos due to financial constraints, the importance of localizing diving and making it accessible to all, the need for awareness and empathy when traveling to different cultures, the presence of casual racism in the diving community, and the importance of being an ally and speaking up against racism. The conversation also highlights the significance of supporting businesses that treat their employees well and have fair practices. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background08:16 Race and Identity in Scuba Diving15:12 Stereotypes and Discrimination in the Diving Community25:37 Financial Barriers to Diving Opportunities30:45 Promoting Inclusivity in the Dive Industry30:55 Lack of Access to Diving for Filipinos35:02 Cultural Awareness and Empathy38:12 Addressing Casual Racism in the Diving Community41:38 Being an Ally and Speaking Up56:34 Supporting Businesses with Fair Practices01:00:26 Join the Diver Bliss Community and Dive in the PhilippinesIf you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcastsSend the link to the show, ‘divetable.com,’ to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say,’Howdy!’Join us on our Facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetable [email protected] Dive Tablehttps://www.thedivetable.com/The Dive Table Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetableInstagram@thedivetableGardner Underwaterhttps://gardnerunderwater.com/Sarah Millerwww.azulunlimited.comFish Dive Surf, Inc.https://fishdivesurf.com/

Being an independent scuba instructor involves managing various aspects of running a small business, serving students, and handling logistics. This includes finding students, defining the target audience, and understanding their needs. It also involves managing the logistics of teaching classes, such as gas fills, dive sites, rentals, and pool access. Building a support system is crucial, including service, retail sales, and knowledge resources. The closure of local dive shops can present challenges, requiring improvisation and finding alternative solutions. Jay shares his experience and invites other independent instructors to share their stories and insights.The Scripps Pier underwater camera was donated by DeepSea Power & Light and proved HD live streaming video from ~4m (13ft) water depth.The Scripps Pier Underwater CameraIf you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcastsSend the link to the show, ‘divetable.com,’ to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say,’Howdy!’Join us on our Facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetable The Dive Tablehttps://www.thedivetable.com/The Dive Table Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetableInstagram@thedivetableGardner Underwaterhttps://gardnerunderwater.com/Sarah Millerwww.azulunlimited.comFish Dive Surf, Inc.https://fishdivesurf.com/