Diving continues to be a male-dominated sport, but we women, are making efforts to bring more people into the underwater world. My goal with this video is to share knowledge so that people feel empowered to enter this space. I have my own experience of over 10 years as a dive professional, but I also bought the book Women Underwater, by Jill Heinerth and Renee Power, to educate me further in topics with which I am less familiar.

My aim is to make a helpful guide for women and gender non-conforming people to feel empowered in scuba spaces. For all the men out there, this will help you be better allies for all of your dive buddies. Now, hold on, take a deep breath. I can feel the keyboard warriors drafting their comments and emails. Let’s not get triggered by the fact that I’m mentioning people with different gender identities. This is going to primarily focus on women since that is my lived experience, but take a deep breath, and get curious.

Men still make up the majority of the community at around 60% of the general diver population, but there are many clubs and organizations always working to close the gap.

Scuba diving was created by men, for men, so everything prioritizes them and their experiences, from medical studies to equipment design.

Where are we seeing change?

The adage, ‘shrink it and pink it,’ is obsolete, and most brands understand that these days. The most important tip I have for gear purchases is to test it out before buying. Figure out what type of diving you want to do, and then ask people who do that type of diving for their recommendations. Find something that is appropriate for your body shape and size. Ask several people for their opinions and experience, so you don’t get shoved into equipment that ultimately isn’t right for you. There’s not a lot of information available about diving as a smaller human, which is why I’ve made videos about sidemount and doubles for smaller bodies. However, being a larger human with feminine features may actually be a bigger challenge.

And I’m speaking specifically about wetsuits. Luckily, companies are starting to create better suits for different body shapes, so our options are expanding every year. I like suits that stretch so they can hug curves while keeping seals tight. Something to consider for those with broader shoulders or big boobs: a “men’s” suit may actually fit you better than a “women’s” suit.

When looking at BCDs, ensure that the torso length is appropriate or that the BCD is adjustable for a comfortable fit.

As for fins, sometimes it’s hard to find fins for small feet. Medium is usually the smallest option for most technical fins. If you’re interested in that style, a workaround could be using a sturdy boot that can fill more space instead of the flimsy soft-soled boot. You can also pair a bigger boot with neoprene socks. If you do all of that, you may want to get a heavy fin to help counteract the extra neoprene and keep you in trim.

Most people with long hair have struggled with this. Finding the right protective style is essential for having an enjoyable diving experience all the way through your post-dive shower. I personally like the side braid, but I’ve also rocked space buns with success. Some products can help, including Rip Tie or buffs, which wrap up hair during dives, and then you can use hair care products like Stream2Sea’s shampoo and conditioner.

As in all medical fields, women’s diving health is diabolically underserved. However, Divers Alert Network has a great page on women’s health on their website, which includes topics like endometriosis, pregnancy, cancers, and implants. If you want to support DAN’s mission of making diving safer for all divers, make sure to become a member to support their nonprofit efforts and grab the insurance policy that suits your diving activities.

Dive days can be wildly uncomfortable for people without a penis. This is why I highlight the location of the bathroom in all of my dive site exploration videos. Peeing on a boat or at a dive site is a struggle for many of us because, often, there is zero privacy.

One way I have gotten around this is by taking my dive parka and a she wee with me so that I can pee off the back of a boat or on the side of the road with minimal risk of exposing myself.

If you’re drysuit diving, a p-valved paired with a she-p may be a great option, or you may prefer a diaper. I’m going to try the she-p for the first time when I get back to Washington, so I will report back on my experience.

Dealing with your period without privacy is another story. Not only do you need to be able to deal with your period product, but you also need somewhere to throw trash away, and that’s not always available. If a dive boat doesn’t have options set up, give them constructive feedback about how they can make the experience more comfortable.

My favorite way of dealing with my period while diving is by using a menstrual cup. A menstrual cup is designed to be safe for up to 12 hours at a time, meaning I can put it in before diving and not think about it until I get home. Now, if you have a heavy flow, you may need to empty it during a dive day, and if that’s the case, a menstrual disc (which can dump while you pee) or tampons may be a better solution. In any situation, it’s a good idea to bring toilet paper and a small trash bag (I like biodegradable dog poop bags) so that you have everything you need to be comfortable and safe.

Obviously, traveling as a woman or anyone in a marginalized group is inherently more dangerous than traveling as a man. I don’t subscribe to the idea of being afraid, but I do encourage all women and gender nonconforming people to harness the power of their intuition. Get to know your gut so that you can make good judgments of the people around you and their intentions. I have had moments where I need to create stories about a fake partner or friends in the area to keep myself safe, but I’ve also had incredible, hilarious, and life-altering experiences when I’ve shared that I’m solo traveling.

Do what feels right and safe for you.

There are also those spaces that maybe aren’t physically dangerous, but emotionally unsafe. I’m talking about those dive shops where misogynistic or bigoted comments and jokes are the norm. If you find yourself in a situation like that, speak up. If they don’t take action, share your experience. Word of mouth goes a long way, and unfortunately, many businesses won’t change their policies unless they see their bank accounts take a hit.

This is where men can truly make a difference. I have heard from many sources that when men are left alone, some of the worst things can be said. If you’re a man and you see/hear sexist or bigoted behavior from your cohorts, do something about it. Make it clear that it’s not acceptable. Hold each other accountable.

There is an even bigger gender gap regarding women working in the dive industry. However, opportunities continue to become available for women as dive shop owners recognize our effectiveness as instructors, managers, and leaders.

The most common issue I find with women in the dive industry is lack of confidence. I suffered from this for many years in the beginning of my career due to my own self-esteem issues while being surrounded by boisterous men.

The situation made me feel stupid, which turned into a vicious cycle of self-hatred. This is why I believe so strongly in a mentorship-style management for businesses. More experienced divers should take new employees under their wing to help them avoid the mistakes many of us made in the beginning. This approach would make the sport safer. As for the newer dive professionals, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s better to ask than to have an accident due to ignorance.

When I mentor people, I encourage them to work on their self-worth because that’s an internal relationship that everyone deserves to heal.

Being a woman or anyone from a marginalized community in this sport is not easy, but by continuing to show up in these spaces, we make it safer and more accessible to everyone. If we want to see change, we must advocate for ourselves and for the next generation of divers.

See what trips are coming up. I always give my community first dibs on spots, so you can sign up for Patreon (and get trip discounts) or my email list to be the first to know about new expeditions in the future.