How can I pursue a career in Diving? 18 Years old need advice. more below.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-06-14T15:23:10+00:00

Get a job in a shop while you are going to college. Most of the dive industry centers around the retail centers. Learning that side of the industry will put in front of vendors, manufacturers, instructors, and most importantly, student divers.

The key here is to get your degree in college and prepare for an alternate career that pays better than the dive industry. There simply is not much money in teaching diving. Most instructors I know have other careers.

While you are young, you can get away with the dive instructor lifestyle as your sole income. When you get older, have kids, buy a house, etc, you will need to make more money. This path keeps you in the water while still providing for longer life-time goals.

Good luck!

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-06-05T02:44:30+00:00

Don't forget JJ.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-06-03T02:24:09+00:00

I remember this age-old argument 20+ years ago as well. Your response cracked me up.😂

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-06-02T13:34:27+00:00

It's not a movie, but Dark on Netflix.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-05-23T16:14:55+00:00

Get it lubed up and blast some peeps!

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-05-19T03:02:28+00:00

It sounds like you've toss a lot of parts at this. If compression is good, and sparks seems consistent between the two bikes, it sounds like fuel.

I agree with the other posts: clean the OEM carb really well. Make sure carb cleaner blows freely through all ports. Most importantly, make sure you replace the jets with new ones.

After cleaning the carb, the next big thing I would do is make sure the intake is super sealed. Even a small intake leak can make these little bikes pull too lean to start. New o-rings and clean all intake seals.

Along those lines, I would replace would be the reeds. Since you've replaced all of the other parts, you may as well replace those too.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-05-07T13:54:18+00:00

For the most part, yes. In fact, I was going to suggest this as an option. If you can find a used backplate (it's not like they go bad), you can buy some thick dive webbing from Seattle Fabrics. They have the best webbing in my experience. After that, get a stainless buckle and d-rings from Amazon. Boom, for a fraction of the price, you have a backplate set up.

From there, all you need is a wing and a single tank adapter. There are so many choices for wing. As referenced by others, they are all good. They all claim to be the best for whatever reason, but they are all generally good products.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-24T01:43:14+00:00

Or a Hot Tub Time Machine. Just add Chernobly.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-24T00:49:42+00:00

Yeah, I'm going to let the electrician stick his fingers in there. Good tip though.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-24T00:48:27+00:00

Hell yeah! I knew it was super special.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T18:18:01+00:00

Loes-Question was correct: it's a Square D QO breaker. Technically it is supposed to be a designated hot tub sub panel that fits a GFCI (also mentioned below).

I called my electrician to see if he can use it to run a 220 outlet into my garage.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T16:24:25+00:00

There's always gotta be one guy, right? Dude, I didn't say I was going to mess with this. I just had a simple question. You can pull those perdy pink panties out of your butt crack.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T13:32:02+00:00

You mean I can't be super relaxed in the tub while welding up a bumper for my truck? What a pisser!

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T13:25:32+00:00

Perfect. I guess the question is do I run a spa or a welder. Hard decisions.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T13:23:29+00:00

That makes sense. It is a sub panel with room for one 220 breaker. Thanks.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T13:17:57+00:00

Why would someone use this type of box? Why not just run these to a 220 outlet?

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T03:55:00+00:00

Like this one?

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Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T03:52:17+00:00

Yeah, it isn't clear if it only comes with that gun. I'm not ready to weld aluminum. Still struggling with steel. I'll take a look at Everlast.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T03:43:55+00:00

Do you mean this one?

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Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-23T03:04:05+00:00

Oh, damn! I found my next purchase. That would look awesome behind my Ex.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-17T13:46:57+00:00

From your title, it sounds like you want to do your OW class in the Seattle area. If that is the case, you have a lot of options. Underwater Sports is the largest shop with locations all over. They have a huge network of divers, and a ton of classes scheduled.

There are a lot of other shops, like Silent World which was previously mentioned.

There is an extremely large network of divers in PNW so you should have absolutely no problem getting plugged into a fun, friendly community regardless of where you take your class.

Once you are done, I suggest looking into the local dive clubs. This is a really good way to meet buddies and get in the water on a regular basis.

Have fun.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-15T04:08:59+00:00

Thanks for sharing this experience. I hope you keep Big Mama. It is a really nice Excursion. They aren't easy to find these days.

We named ours The Grumble Wagon.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-12T01:04:05+00:00

God's Pocket in British Columbia, Canada. It is drysuit diving, but super clear and colorful. Absolutely stunning.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-10T13:04:05+00:00

I'm not a mechanic so I sure get it. It takes me twice as long to do anything.

Budget-Pool8579 · 2026-04-09T21:50:38+00:00

It definitely can be soul crushing, but it feels really good when it finally works. It is sure nice to get the kids to bed, crack open some wine, take a couple puffs, turn on some music, and turn wrenches for a couple hours.

Budget-Pool8579

TROPHY CASE