TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION
My curiosity with technical diving started the day I became a certified Open
Water diver. There was a whole underwater world out there
to explore, but I was limited to no decompression dives and a max depth of 60 feet.
I didn't waste much time in expanding my knowledge and list of
certifications and eventually completed my first technical training in 1998 (Advanced Nitrox).
My training has continued over the years and includes the rank of Technical Instructor.
My personal philosophy is that a Technical diver must be able to handle most emergencies with very little or no help.
This is why my technical classes focus on Gear Configuration, Advanced Buoyancy Control,
and emergency scenarios. Everyone can benefit from technical training. You don't have to want to dive deep on doubles or do decompression stops
to gain valuable diving knowledge from these courses. The majority of technical training can be done within recreational limits and with recreational gear. Technical training will make you a better
overall diver!
All of my classes are taught on your schedule, and for the most part you can choose the dive site. I strongly recommend to all my students (recreational or technical divers) to interview their instructor before signing up for the class.
Technical Classes I am currently teaching:
- TDI Intro to Tech Diving
- TDI Advanced Nitrox
- TDI Decompression Procedures
Ever wondered if SCUBA is for you? This class is designed to give you a "test" experience in the underwater world.
First you will view a short DVD, then we'll jump into a swimming pool where you will receive an overview of SCUBA equipment and get to have some fun in the water. If you find
that you'd like to take this lesson a step further, one open water dive may be added to the class. I will be with you one-on-one in the open water setting where you will be
able to see a number of different species of fish and invertebrates.
Pool work may be scheduled for a Monday or Wednesday night, from 6 pm-10pm. Open water dives are generally scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday.
If you are already a certified diver, this is also a great way to share your passion with a loved one. Discover SCUBA classes make the perfect gift!
There are 3 great options available to new divers wishing to take this course:
Group Class
This class runs for a minimum of 3 weeks. We meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6pm-10pm, at
Smokey Point Diving, and two Saturdays for the open water dives.
For this class you are required to do the bookwork and watch the DVD at home. At our first meeting on Monday night, we will review Knowledge Review 1, your student folder
(which must me completed before class), and perform an overview of equipment. At 7:30 pm we leave for the Marysville/Pilchuck High School pool, and get set up to enter the water at 8:00 pm. The first thing we will
complete in the pool is a 200 meter/yard surface swim. Later we don our SCUBA gear and work on Confined Water Module 1.
Each day we meet we will work on the next module, building upon what was learned during the previous classroom.
The first Saturday we meet, will cover Open Water dives 1 and 2. The location and time will be determined the Wednesday before, and depends upon weather, winds
and tides.
This program is designed to be completed with 4 open water dives, but I have found that a good number of my students need more dives to successfully complete the class.
I always ensure that you have adequate time and assistance to succeed.
Private Class
This class is ideal for a person with a busy schedule that may not be able to commit 3 weeks to the class. For this class you are required to do the bookwork and watch
the DVD at home. Then you get to set the days and times we meet to do the classroom academics.
The pool sessions have to be Mondays and Wednesdays, 8pm-9:30pm, but you are free to set the dates for the pool sessions as well as the open water dives.
I find this class to be the best way to learn, as you are one-on-one with the instructor at all times.
eLearning Class
Coming Soon!
All the classroom academics and testing is done at home in front of your computer. Any questions may be emailed to your instructor and will receive a timely response.
When you are ready to get in the water, we will meet in the pool on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8pm-9:30pm, and 2 weekend days to complete your 4 open water dives.
This class is designed to allow the diver to gain practical diving experience under supervision.
You may choose to do one adventure dive at a time, or any three adventure dives to receive an Adventure Diver
certification. If you complete five dives (three electives and two required) you will earn the rating of Advanced Open Water Diver.
Deep and Navigation Dives are required for all Advanced Open Water certifications, but they are coupled with three
electives that give you a customized choice for your training interests: Please note that each adventure dive counts as one dive toward completing a Specialty Dive
Certification for that particular specialty. (Specialty courses usually require 4 dives each to obtain
certification.)
- Altitude Diver
- AWARE - Fish Identification
- Boat Diver
- Cavern Diver*
- Digital Underwater Photographer
- Diver Propulsion Vehicle
- Drift Diver
- Dry Suit Diver
- Enriched Air Diver
- Equipment Specialist*
- Ice Diver*
- Multilevel Diver
- Night Diver
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Search and Recovery Diver*
- Semiclosed Rebreather*
- Underwater Naturalist
- Underwater Navigator
- Underwater Photographer
- Underwater Videographer
- Wreck Diver*
* Prerequisites Required
Please feel free to schedule a meeting, in person or
by phone (425-239-7993), to discuss your training needs. We may also schedule a skill assessment dive (pool or open water) before you commit to any classes.
You may also EMAIL me for more details.