This Scuba Gear Shop is Thriving Through the Pandemic

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Dive Right In Scuba of Orland Park, Illinois, Has Long Withstood the Economic Slowdown Caused by the Still-Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Let’s face it — no matter how good of an economist someone is, absolutely nobody saw the COVID-19 pandemic coming. Many businesses, especially retail storefronts, have been decimated by the pandemic’s unforgiving economic effects. Despite being a retail business itself, scuba gear retailer Dive Right In Scuba has withstood COVID-19 from the moment it breached the United States back in March 2020.

No two businesses can use the same plan of action to respond to unpredictable market conditions. However, Dive Right In Scuba’s COVID-19 response plan is worthy of widespread adoption by virtually any fellow scuba gear retailer here in the U.S. or abroad.

Adopting Virtual Courses Has Been Essential to Dive Right In Scuba’s Pandemic-Era Success

Dive Right In Scuba doesn’t just sell scuba gear packages. Rather, the small-yet-bustling business has long trained scuba divers of all skill levels, teaching dozens of courses that are fully approved by world-class divers’ organizations such as PADI, TDI, and SDI.

In September 2021 alone, for example, the company has a total of 73 events scheduled, almost all of which are scuba diving courses. Many of these courses are taught through Zoom. Despite using the telecommunication platform, classes still offer the same benefits as their in-person counterparts, including real-world, widely recognized certifications from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Technical Diving International (TDI), Scuba Diving International (SDI), and other organizations of similar stature.

Dive Right In Scuba Has Been Holding COVID-Friendly Events Like Clockwork

Founder and owner Mike Pederson says, “We believe that scuba diving is a stress reliever for people who have been cooped up during the pandemic, so many are purchasing scuba gear and planning trips.” To put this view into action, Dive Right In Scuba has been holding as many as two dozen events on weekends.

Much of the scuba gear retailer’s events take the form of in-person scuba diving classes, such as PADI’s Open Water Diver course and SDI’s Advanced Buoyancy course. Dive Right In Scuba also corrals groups of experienced divers to go on shipwreck exploration dives and other fun group events.

Dive Right In Scuba continues to rent its in-house pool out to families, friends, and other parties who are interested in private pool parties or private diving sessions.