As with many things in life, humans place importance on dates and milestones. Birthdays, anniversaries, and historical dates have become tradition and most expect something special to happen on one of those days. If it's not a surprise birthday party, an anniversary date celebrating a moment in a rationship, or even a national, global, or religious holiday, humans love to acknowledge a day that often took years to arrive.
Scuba is no different. Learning to scuba dive comes easy for some, with trials for others, and for those that continue diving see milestones as way way to judge their progress and reward themselves for making it to the next year, next certification, or next dive number. For me, the milestone of dive number 100 met me with excitement but also fills me with grief. There really isn't a way to know how long it will take to get there as I got to 100 dives in 9 months. Most of my students do 4-6 dives during certification then often 6 dives on a vacation destination. That usually wraps up their year. I encourage my students to do at least 24 dives a year. 24 dives a year should be able to fit into anyone's schedule as it works out to only two dives on any one day in a given month. 24 dives a year is twice the minimum recommended from the "NAUI Safe Scuba Diving Practices" guide.
If everyone dove at this rate, it should take around 4 years to reach 100 dives, much longer if you don't. If you think about other things that take 4 years to complete, we could include: high school, a bachelor's degree, the arrival of the next Olympic games, the presidential election, and for those that have children, watch this video to see all the milestones this father sees in his son over four years (teething, walking, talking, potty training, and overall growth).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1121194/Father-takes-sons-picture-day-birth-4-years-old.html
When you look at it this way, four years is a long time. The amount of things one can learn in that time is stupendous...!!! However, if you think about the time the diver comits to diving, it is realistic to assume they have 66 hours under there diving education belts the first year (8 hours of self-study, 6 hours of review with the instructor, 6 hours of pool, 16 hours of open water, and 30 hours on the next 20 dives - - allowing for setup, the dive, debriefing, breakdown, for each dive and that's being generous - - assuming that everyone will learn something on dive days during the half-hour not in the water. In-water dive time the first year, supposing that each dive was an hour in duration (which would be very unlikely) is 24 hours.
So in the first year, the new diver has the experience of 24 in-water hours and 66 total-hours of training, extrapolated to four years, that's 96 hours in-water and 174 total-hours of training (66 + [24×1.5] × 3).
At this point it starts to become confusing as to what was really learned in that time because it is more likely that anyone with less than 100 dives thinks they are just diving, just fine, and rarely evaluates their progress. Similarly, it is very likely that the only time that a diver practiced all of the skills introduced to them in the first year, was in the first year...
I've asked divers to reevaluate their skills at 100 dives, but haven't gotten any takers.
What does all this mean? It means that scuba diving as a recreational activity is not taken seriously.
I mentioned earlier that a 100th dive milestone met me with grief. I was present at a divers death on his 101st dive. The death was due to diver error. There was no failure of his equipment...
We don't celebrate dive number 25, but dives 25, 50, and 75 are equally as important. I encourage everyone to keep their skills sharp, practice what was learned in open water, continue your scuba diving education (during your first four years, if not longer), and if you ever feel that conditions are beyond your skill, comfort, or ability, end the dive.
If anyone is interested in an evaluation of your skills at dive 25, 50, or 75, it will be free to you.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Monday, August 8, 2016
Search & Recovery... How it's done on a real job... The process, procedures, progress, and reality of trying to find something in zero visibility.
I was contacted yesterday by a father to look for a GoPro that his son lost in Lake Oswego about a week ago. Lake Oswego is a private lake in the city of Lake Oswego. It is a man-made lake and has areas for boating, family gatherings, and other water activities.
The young man was playing in one the community swimming areas and the GoPro came off of the harness he was wearing.
I make it a policy to totally inform the customer what to expect with this kind of search and recovery job. $100 is collected in advance, and $100 is collected upon arrival. The reason I set the price high is that doing a dive like this has risk, potential for injury, possible entanglement hazards, the occasional overhead environment (in this case, the boat dock), loss or damage of my dive equipment, and gas cost (air fills). Each party (me and the paying customer) agrees that they will wait on the dock until I am totally out of the water. Our agreement includes how long I will look for (I only will dive on 1 tank, leaving a reserve), there is no guarantee that I will find the item, and that there are no refunds of any kind for any reason.
The job begins by arriving at the location and having the customer take me to the site in which the item was lost. They tell me where they think the item went down and any other information about the area that could help in finding it. All my gear is brought down to the water and assembled. I have been in Lake Oswego before and the visibility is 6 inches, or none. Today, the water temperature was warm enough for a wetsuit, but I always wear a drysuit. The other equipment I bring with me is two dive lights, scissors (cutting tool), hood, line on a finger spool, lift bag, and dry gloves.
The customers wait on the dock while I am doing the search and recovery. The bottom of this area is basically silty and even before kicking up anything from the bottom, there is only a foot of visibility, if that. I have to descend slowly as to keep from kicking up the bottom, but since the silt is mud, it is inevitable since I will be crawling on the bottom. I use my dive light to look directly in front of myself and navigate in the appropriate search pattern for the topography of the bottom. The compass is necessary as it is easy to swim out of the swim area as well as getting lost or disoriented. I try to position myself about 6 inches off the bottom. There are pylons that support the dock, but they are impossible to see until you are in direct contact with them. Going under the dock can be dangerous as there are boats that are moored on the other side of the swimming area.
If there was visibility, using line could be helpful, but in this case, line would only create an entanglement hazard and be very dangerous. There are other things that I will occasionally come across, but I don't pick them up until I am ready to exit the water. Picking them up would add the siltiness and anything that is buried in any amount of the mud will pull up a large portion of the bottom. I can't emphasize how important it is to not create entanglement hazards using line.
I try to use the customer on the dock to assist in navigating by banging on the ladder that goes into the swimming area, but the bubbles from each exhalation make it almost impossible to differentiate any noise. By the time I reach 500psi, it's time to start wrapping up my searching efforts and anything I find on this last round will be brought to the surface. This time, I found a plastic chair, a shoe, several toy squirt guns, a boat paddle, children's toy fins, and several pieces of garbage. Exiting the water requires a climb up a vertical ladder. Climbing a vertical ladder with 50lbs of gear is very difficult and without aid, might mean I have to get out of my wing and harness. Most classic harnesses are difficult if not impossible to get out of in the water. I could cut myself out of it, worst case scenario. If I did, there would be no way to get my gear out of the water as there is a drop from the boat dock to the top of the water.
The search realistically became an exercise of luck, hoping to come across the camera by chance, hence, why it is necessary to always let the customer know that there is no guarantee of finding the item and always getting paid in advance. Search and recovery in limited visibility is difficult while in no visibility is precarious. There aren't any intake valves in the area, but there are ropes and cables that were used to secure the dock. Anyone who is uncomfortable in zero visibility would be wise to avoid this kind of environment, not to mention anyone that isn't familiar with cutting themselves free while not being able to see what you are cutting.
The job comes to an end as I disassemble my gear and load it back in the truck. Search and recovery for fun is a great skill to have, but as with all diving specialties, be sure to weigh the cost of the job to your skills, comfort, safety, and time. I've known people to offer their services for as little as $50. With all that is required in a dive site like this, I would never do it at that price. If you ever have the opportunity to do a search and recovery job, remember some of the things I've mentioned here and have fun.
The young man was playing in one the community swimming areas and the GoPro came off of the harness he was wearing.
I make it a policy to totally inform the customer what to expect with this kind of search and recovery job. $100 is collected in advance, and $100 is collected upon arrival. The reason I set the price high is that doing a dive like this has risk, potential for injury, possible entanglement hazards, the occasional overhead environment (in this case, the boat dock), loss or damage of my dive equipment, and gas cost (air fills). Each party (me and the paying customer) agrees that they will wait on the dock until I am totally out of the water. Our agreement includes how long I will look for (I only will dive on 1 tank, leaving a reserve), there is no guarantee that I will find the item, and that there are no refunds of any kind for any reason.
The job begins by arriving at the location and having the customer take me to the site in which the item was lost. They tell me where they think the item went down and any other information about the area that could help in finding it. All my gear is brought down to the water and assembled. I have been in Lake Oswego before and the visibility is 6 inches, or none. Today, the water temperature was warm enough for a wetsuit, but I always wear a drysuit. The other equipment I bring with me is two dive lights, scissors (cutting tool), hood, line on a finger spool, lift bag, and dry gloves.
The customers wait on the dock while I am doing the search and recovery. The bottom of this area is basically silty and even before kicking up anything from the bottom, there is only a foot of visibility, if that. I have to descend slowly as to keep from kicking up the bottom, but since the silt is mud, it is inevitable since I will be crawling on the bottom. I use my dive light to look directly in front of myself and navigate in the appropriate search pattern for the topography of the bottom. The compass is necessary as it is easy to swim out of the swim area as well as getting lost or disoriented. I try to position myself about 6 inches off the bottom. There are pylons that support the dock, but they are impossible to see until you are in direct contact with them. Going under the dock can be dangerous as there are boats that are moored on the other side of the swimming area.
If there was visibility, using line could be helpful, but in this case, line would only create an entanglement hazard and be very dangerous. There are other things that I will occasionally come across, but I don't pick them up until I am ready to exit the water. Picking them up would add the siltiness and anything that is buried in any amount of the mud will pull up a large portion of the bottom. I can't emphasize how important it is to not create entanglement hazards using line.
I try to use the customer on the dock to assist in navigating by banging on the ladder that goes into the swimming area, but the bubbles from each exhalation make it almost impossible to differentiate any noise. By the time I reach 500psi, it's time to start wrapping up my searching efforts and anything I find on this last round will be brought to the surface. This time, I found a plastic chair, a shoe, several toy squirt guns, a boat paddle, children's toy fins, and several pieces of garbage. Exiting the water requires a climb up a vertical ladder. Climbing a vertical ladder with 50lbs of gear is very difficult and without aid, might mean I have to get out of my wing and harness. Most classic harnesses are difficult if not impossible to get out of in the water. I could cut myself out of it, worst case scenario. If I did, there would be no way to get my gear out of the water as there is a drop from the boat dock to the top of the water.
The search realistically became an exercise of luck, hoping to come across the camera by chance, hence, why it is necessary to always let the customer know that there is no guarantee of finding the item and always getting paid in advance. Search and recovery in limited visibility is difficult while in no visibility is precarious. There aren't any intake valves in the area, but there are ropes and cables that were used to secure the dock. Anyone who is uncomfortable in zero visibility would be wise to avoid this kind of environment, not to mention anyone that isn't familiar with cutting themselves free while not being able to see what you are cutting.
The job comes to an end as I disassemble my gear and load it back in the truck. Search and recovery for fun is a great skill to have, but as with all diving specialties, be sure to weigh the cost of the job to your skills, comfort, safety, and time. I've known people to offer their services for as little as $50. With all that is required in a dive site like this, I would never do it at that price. If you ever have the opportunity to do a search and recovery job, remember some of the things I've mentioned here and have fun.
Friday, July 29, 2016
how much do you remember your scuba classes and specialties?
do you remember your gas laws, physics, physiology, dive
tables, and how to prevent decompression sickness?
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures Courses. Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA.
Are you looking to expand your dive time? Maybe you’re a scientific diver or photographer looking to stay in the water a little longer? The TDI Advanced Nitrox Course qualifies divers to use enriched air nitrox from 21% through 100% oxygen within your current certification level to a maximum depth of 130 feet during dives that do not require staged decompression.
Who this course is for
• The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their understanding of nitrox mixtures containing more than 40% oxygen
• The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their in-water skills
• The certified diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education
• Minimum age 18
• Minimum certification of Scuba Diver (Open Water Diver)
• Minimum certification of Nitrox Diver
• Minimum certification of Night/Limited Visibility diver
• Minimum certification of Drysuit Diver (25 logged dives in a drysuit)
• Proof of 50 logged open water dives
What you can expect to learn
Advanced Nitrox picks up where nitrox leaves off and offers a more in depth look at diving with nitrox including:
• Physics and physiology relating to diving with gas mixes containing more than 40% oxygen
• Gas planning, dive tables, dive computers, oxygen limitations, nitrogen limitations
• Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, gas blending procedures, and oxygen service ratings for using gases with more than 40% oxygen
Some of the skills you will complete in this course include
• Demonstrate buoyancy control; ability to hover at fixed position in water column without moving hands or feet
• Show good awareness of buddy and other team members through communication, proximity, and team oriented dive practices
• Demonstrate the ability to manage free flow from primary regulator in controlled fashion, shut down cycle, and switch to back up regulator
• Conduct appropriate safety stop while maintaining neutral buoyancy
• Demonstrate the ability to share air with buddy as both recipient and donor in a controlled manner while maintaining position in the water column
• Demonstrate correct body position; appropriate trim, such as horizontal/streamlined when moving forward
• Demonstrate proper stress analysis with self and dive buddy
What’s in it for you?
Ability to dive using 21% through 100% oxygen provided:
• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training
• Ability to enroll in TDI Decompression Procedures, TDI Semi-Closed Rebreather courses, TDI Closed Circuit rebreather courses
Are you finding your no-decompression limits a limiting factor to dives? Do you have to ascend sooner than you would like? As sport divers, planned decompression is not something that we do or have been taught. The TDI Decompression Procedures Course prepares you for planned staged decompression diving. With a maximum operating depth of 150 feet, this course is your first step beyond the normal sport diving limits. The TDI Decompression Procedures Course combined with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course form the foundation of all other technical courses. After these two courses and some additional experience, the stage has been set for you to move onto additional technical levels.
Who this course is for
• The certified Advanced Diver looking to expand their knowledge of decompression theory and diving techniques
• The certified Advanced Diver who is interested in extending their bottom time
• The certified Advanced Diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education
Course prerequisites
• Minimum age 18
• Minimum certification of Scuba Diver (Open Water Diver)
• Minimum certification of Night/Limited Visibility diver
• Minimum certification of Drysuit Diver (25 logged dives in a drysuit)
• Minimum certification of Advanced Nitrox
• Proof of 50 logged open water dives
Decompression dive planning including:
• Decompression gas choices
• Tables vs. personal dive computers
• Emergency and contingency planning
• Decompression diving procedures
• SMB/lift bag deployment
• Emergency procedures
• Equipment considerations
• Cylinder labeling
• Analyzing nitrox mixtures
• Gas blending procedures
• Team awareness and communication
• Gas switching
• Pre-dive checks and drills
• Equipment selection
• Stress analysis and mitigation
• Following a decompression schedule
• Proper trim, buoyancy and finning techniques
What’s in it for you?
Ability to conduct decompression diving activities without direct supervision provided:
• The diving activities approximate to training
• The areas of activities approximate to training
• Environmental conditions approximate to training
• Ability to enroll in TDI Advanced Wreck and TDI Trimix courses
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
NAUI, Sources, Editor's Letter: Teaching Scuba Diving Today (My Feedback)
Dear Peter,
Great editorial, Teaching Scuba Diving Today, in the Second Quarter 2016 issue of Sources. It seems that there are a lot of commonalities that NAUI and I continue to share. Please feel free to post a response in the magazine as well as edit it as appropriate if needed. I don't require a response.
Ah... The "good old days." Well, for me, my good old day was ten years ago June 25, 2006. I started as a PADI diver and quickly moved to SSI after experiencing my share of putting another dollar in. Today, I joke, "Who is this 'Patty' everyone keeps talking about," but most don't get it. SSI worked pretty well for me, even becoming an Advanced Open Water Instructor in 2008. I didn't teach a lot in the beginning, but I learned a lot. My interest migrated into technical diving with Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Trimix, and Cave Diving with trips all over the USA, Mexico, Australia, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Dominican Republic, and Truk Lagoon. I really think those days were better in some ways. Each specialty was at least a couple of hours long, there was educational material that was decent, SSI promoted owning one's equipment (I'm sure a hold over from NASDS), and they dove -- 24 dives for an Advanced rating and 50 dives for Master Diver. It is a little frustrating seeing Advanced Divers with as little as 9 dives, but there is a lot to say for successful marketing. Nonetheless, in 2013, after 2 years working full-time in an SSI store, I quit and sought after teaching on my own. With $2,500 in my pocket, I looked for a PADI Course Director to take my money and it never happened. Something is definitely wrong with a business if they won't take your money. Since I had been teaching since for five years and had over a couple hundred certifications under my belt, it would have been easy money. Lucky for me, no call back found me seeking an alternative so I can teach independently. I found NAUI, and got a call back from Jim Larsen the very next day! Thank you, Jim!
My TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures Instructor is Doug Lynch. My TDI Trimix Instructor is Joel Silverstein. My NSS-CDS Full Cave Instructor is Michael O'Leary. My NAUI Course Director is Jim Larsen. My TDI Instructor Trainer is Craig Willemsen. The only was I could remember who my PADI Instructor was is by looking at the card! I heard this a long time ago. It probably was Joel that told me that if I couldn't remember my instructor's names that either I didn't learn anything or my impression of them was very low. I'd have to agree. I've met a lot of instructors along the way, too. Most it seems can't remember their students, so perhaps it runs both ways. It seems that most of them have had varied experiences, but open water scuba divers (those that are still diving, anyway) are hard-pressed to remember who taught them their basic skills -- the basic skills that keep new divers from hurting themselves or dying in the process.
It seems that with the ease of online education, the instructors would spend more time getting to know their students in the pool and in the open water. Alas, this is not the case. "Dip-em-and-ship-'em" certification course is a great description of the problem. Personally, all my students can choose from any of the educational materials (hardcopy book, DVD, online education, or all of it) but I then review everything with them -- every chapter. I've found that if a student can find a way to get out of learning or squeaking by, they'll do it. Surprisingly, I just had my first student that took and completed scuba diver, nitrox diver, drysuit diver, deep diver, and did 10 dives over 4 days (two dives being on a local dive boat, dive #5 and #6)! I was extremely proud of her. I don't like multiple choice test as it fosters guessing, so all my tests are turned into "fill-in-the-blank." I describe it to the student as, "Who wants to dive with a buddy that missed 20% of the questions?" I've had no disgruntled students, not to mention, parents' anxiety about their children are almost eliminated because I want understanding and comprehension before pool and ocean.
Additionally, you mentioned teaching for the "lowest common denominator." I use this same phrase. I just won't do it. I describe a group class of 8 as 2 that need all the instructor's attention, 2 that are incredibly skilled and don't get the instructor's attention, and 4 that are acceptable. I don't believe that a student will master their skills in the pool, but they will be adequate. Mastery takes time, practice, patience, trial and error. The industry would fall apart if we reverted to 6 month courses. I describe the 2 that are incredibly skilled as actually needing more attention because they will be the divers that sign up for additional training -- my goal...!!! The 4 that are adequate get by, but why would I take 50% of the class and cut their training short because of 2 struggling students. In reality, 75% of a group of 8 get less than complete or above average training and that is totally unacceptable. I am a private and independent scuba diving instructor. I don't own a dive shop and never will. I teach one or two students at a time, only have one or two in the pool at a time, and only dive with one or two at a time. After 10 years of banking, I can see that the way to build a successful dive shop is with successful divers, not by selling products. In my opinion, selling equipment should be secondary. My revenue has doubled every years being on my own and it comes from building a community, not from what walks in the front door or by profit margins.
I realize that selling equipment keeps the lights on and there is nothing wrong with that, but all anyone has to do is look at online reviews from dive shops and look at mine, and there is no comparison. I just never knew that building a community was the answer to the dive industry's woes, but then I hear old-timers talking about the good old days when it took months to get certified, divers learned slowly, more was expected from them, and they dove a lot. Wait... that's a community...!!! LOL.
All joking aside, diving has been a catalyst in my life changing my direction, attitude, life goals, and relationships. It isn't a sport to me, it's a lifestyle, it's a commitment. I would trust every single one of my students to scuba dive with the people I love.
Cheers,
--carlos
Juan Carlos Aguilar, NAUI Instructor #55887
Great editorial, Teaching Scuba Diving Today, in the Second Quarter 2016 issue of Sources. It seems that there are a lot of commonalities that NAUI and I continue to share. Please feel free to post a response in the magazine as well as edit it as appropriate if needed. I don't require a response.
Ah... The "good old days." Well, for me, my good old day was ten years ago June 25, 2006. I started as a PADI diver and quickly moved to SSI after experiencing my share of putting another dollar in. Today, I joke, "Who is this 'Patty' everyone keeps talking about," but most don't get it. SSI worked pretty well for me, even becoming an Advanced Open Water Instructor in 2008. I didn't teach a lot in the beginning, but I learned a lot. My interest migrated into technical diving with Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Trimix, and Cave Diving with trips all over the USA, Mexico, Australia, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Dominican Republic, and Truk Lagoon. I really think those days were better in some ways. Each specialty was at least a couple of hours long, there was educational material that was decent, SSI promoted owning one's equipment (I'm sure a hold over from NASDS), and they dove -- 24 dives for an Advanced rating and 50 dives for Master Diver. It is a little frustrating seeing Advanced Divers with as little as 9 dives, but there is a lot to say for successful marketing. Nonetheless, in 2013, after 2 years working full-time in an SSI store, I quit and sought after teaching on my own. With $2,500 in my pocket, I looked for a PADI Course Director to take my money and it never happened. Something is definitely wrong with a business if they won't take your money. Since I had been teaching since for five years and had over a couple hundred certifications under my belt, it would have been easy money. Lucky for me, no call back found me seeking an alternative so I can teach independently. I found NAUI, and got a call back from Jim Larsen the very next day! Thank you, Jim!
My TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures Instructor is Doug Lynch. My TDI Trimix Instructor is Joel Silverstein. My NSS-CDS Full Cave Instructor is Michael O'Leary. My NAUI Course Director is Jim Larsen. My TDI Instructor Trainer is Craig Willemsen. The only was I could remember who my PADI Instructor was is by looking at the card! I heard this a long time ago. It probably was Joel that told me that if I couldn't remember my instructor's names that either I didn't learn anything or my impression of them was very low. I'd have to agree. I've met a lot of instructors along the way, too. Most it seems can't remember their students, so perhaps it runs both ways. It seems that most of them have had varied experiences, but open water scuba divers (those that are still diving, anyway) are hard-pressed to remember who taught them their basic skills -- the basic skills that keep new divers from hurting themselves or dying in the process.
It seems that with the ease of online education, the instructors would spend more time getting to know their students in the pool and in the open water. Alas, this is not the case. "Dip-em-and-ship-'em" certification course is a great description of the problem. Personally, all my students can choose from any of the educational materials (hardcopy book, DVD, online education, or all of it) but I then review everything with them -- every chapter. I've found that if a student can find a way to get out of learning or squeaking by, they'll do it. Surprisingly, I just had my first student that took and completed scuba diver, nitrox diver, drysuit diver, deep diver, and did 10 dives over 4 days (two dives being on a local dive boat, dive #5 and #6)! I was extremely proud of her. I don't like multiple choice test as it fosters guessing, so all my tests are turned into "fill-in-the-blank." I describe it to the student as, "Who wants to dive with a buddy that missed 20% of the questions?" I've had no disgruntled students, not to mention, parents' anxiety about their children are almost eliminated because I want understanding and comprehension before pool and ocean.
Additionally, you mentioned teaching for the "lowest common denominator." I use this same phrase. I just won't do it. I describe a group class of 8 as 2 that need all the instructor's attention, 2 that are incredibly skilled and don't get the instructor's attention, and 4 that are acceptable. I don't believe that a student will master their skills in the pool, but they will be adequate. Mastery takes time, practice, patience, trial and error. The industry would fall apart if we reverted to 6 month courses. I describe the 2 that are incredibly skilled as actually needing more attention because they will be the divers that sign up for additional training -- my goal...!!! The 4 that are adequate get by, but why would I take 50% of the class and cut their training short because of 2 struggling students. In reality, 75% of a group of 8 get less than complete or above average training and that is totally unacceptable. I am a private and independent scuba diving instructor. I don't own a dive shop and never will. I teach one or two students at a time, only have one or two in the pool at a time, and only dive with one or two at a time. After 10 years of banking, I can see that the way to build a successful dive shop is with successful divers, not by selling products. In my opinion, selling equipment should be secondary. My revenue has doubled every years being on my own and it comes from building a community, not from what walks in the front door or by profit margins.
I realize that selling equipment keeps the lights on and there is nothing wrong with that, but all anyone has to do is look at online reviews from dive shops and look at mine, and there is no comparison. I just never knew that building a community was the answer to the dive industry's woes, but then I hear old-timers talking about the good old days when it took months to get certified, divers learned slowly, more was expected from them, and they dove a lot. Wait... that's a community...!!! LOL.
All joking aside, diving has been a catalyst in my life changing my direction, attitude, life goals, and relationships. It isn't a sport to me, it's a lifestyle, it's a commitment. I would trust every single one of my students to scuba dive with the people I love.
Cheers,
--carlos
Juan Carlos Aguilar, NAUI Instructor #55887
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Do you live in The Dalles and the nearest dive shop is too far? Well, I am a private independent scuba diving instructor and I'll come to you...!!!
Scuba Diving Lessons
The Dalles, Oregon
Do you live in The Dalles and want to learn how to scuba dive?
I am a private and independent NAUI Scuba Diving Instructor. While I live in Portland, I want to certify divers. I will come to you for the education. If you have access to a pool, we can do all the pool work there, too. If not, you can come to me. Want to do all your water work in the Puget Sound? We can do that. It's the way it used to be done.
Check out my main website homepage for all the information you will need to get your classes started. Because I'm independent, I don't own a dive shop and there is no pressure to buy equipment. You only need a mask and snorkel. Everything else can be rented.
503-935-2698
#TheDalles
#scuba
#ScubaDivingLessons
#LearnToDive
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Scuba Diving Lessons Portland, Oregon
Have you been thinking about learning how to scuba dive? Are you traveling to an exotic destination and want to dive? I am an independent and private NAUI Scuba Diving Instructor.
All my classes are taught on your schedule where you pick the day and time. I come to you for education. Finish in a few days or a few weeks. I will work around your hectic schedule.
I offer specialty courses and rankings through Divemaster. Earn your NAUI Advanced Open Water or Master Diver certifications.
If you've been thinking about technical diving courses, I also teach TDI's Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures. Dive deeper and longer.
DAN (Divers Alert Network) BLS/CPR & First Aid; Oxygen Administration; Neurological Assessment; Hazardous Marine Life Injuries; Diving Emergency Medical Practitioner.
If you want to be the best diver that you can be, that requires the best training. Don't settle for being just another student in a crowded class. No sales pressure to buy equipment because I don't sell any. Private 10ft deep warm water pool. Refresher courses.
All 5-Star Reviews. Fully Licensed and Insured
Welcome to my community.
https://jcaelitescuba.com
https://www.facebook.com/jcaelitescuba
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#scuba #NAUI #ScubaDivingLessons #LearnToDive #ScubaInstructor #LearnToScubaDive #TDI #DAN #Portland #PDX #Vancouver #Oregon #Washington #TechDiving #AdvancedNitrox #DecompressionProcedures #BucketList #Diving #CPR #FirstAid #Community #SummerCamp #BoyScouts #BoysClub #Travel #DiveVacation #DreamVacation #Hawaii #Mexico #Fiji #Bali #ScubaRefresher #NightDiving #DeepDiving #Nitrox #DrysuitLessons #NavigationCourse #PugetSound #Hoodsport #Ocean #PleaseTellAFriend
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All my classes are taught on your schedule where you pick the day and time. I come to you for education. Finish in a few days or a few weeks. I will work around your hectic schedule.
I offer specialty courses and rankings through Divemaster. Earn your NAUI Advanced Open Water or Master Diver certifications.
If you've been thinking about technical diving courses, I also teach TDI's Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures. Dive deeper and longer.
DAN (Divers Alert Network) BLS/CPR & First Aid; Oxygen Administration; Neurological Assessment; Hazardous Marine Life Injuries; Diving Emergency Medical Practitioner.
If you want to be the best diver that you can be, that requires the best training. Don't settle for being just another student in a crowded class. No sales pressure to buy equipment because I don't sell any. Private 10ft deep warm water pool. Refresher courses.
All 5-Star Reviews. Fully Licensed and Insured
Welcome to my community.
https://jcaelitescuba.com
https://www.facebook.com/jcaelitescuba
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#scuba #NAUI #ScubaDivingLessons #LearnToDive #ScubaInstructor #LearnToScubaDive #TDI #DAN #Portland #PDX #Vancouver #Oregon #Washington #TechDiving #AdvancedNitrox #DecompressionProcedures #BucketList #Diving #CPR #FirstAid #Community #SummerCamp #BoyScouts #BoysClub #Travel #DiveVacation #DreamVacation #Hawaii #Mexico #Fiji #Bali #ScubaRefresher #NightDiving #DeepDiving #Nitrox #DrysuitLessons #NavigationCourse #PugetSound #Hoodsport #Ocean #PleaseTellAFriend
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