The stack of cards grows...

I just checked the PADI Pros website and my Master Scuba Diver Trainer cert has gone through and I should be getting another card in the mail. I realized that I've accumulated a stack of certification cards in my 9 years(to the day!!) of diving. Wow, today is the 9 year mark! Wahoo!! Well, in the picture below is all the certification cards that I've got. The mouse is for size reference. More than half of the stack are current, meaning I've gotten in the past 6 months! Holy smokes!!

Certifiably Certified... or something like that!

Well, I made it. I am officially an Open Water Scuba Instructor!!
I'm back from Key Largo after 3 weeks in the warm sun!! Well, except for those days that we were locked up in the classroom with the AC on and I thought we were in a meat locker. :-)

Pending applications I will be an Emergency First Response Instructor, DAN Instructor, and Master Scuba Diver Trainer. I learned alot and practiced alot of skills. It was a very busy 3 weeks!
A big thanks to all who helped me get this far!!

Flying south... atleast for a little bit of winter

Well, tomorrow afternoon I am flying to Florida to take some classes. With snow currently falling here in Plattsburgh, this is a perfect time to fly south. I'll be taking the Open Water Scuba Instructor course and relevant examination, Emergency First Responder Instructor course, DAN Dive Emergency Management Provider Instructor course, and Master Scuba Diver Trainer course. Writing all that our just know makes it seem like alot. I've been studying alot and hopefully will return with all of those certifications. I'll be studying at Ocean Divers in Key Largo, just up the road from where I worked a few summers ago. I've got a bit more packing to do, so cross your fingers and as time permits I'll post updates. I'll be back in about 3 weeks! Happy diving!

Rescue Diver Class

The weather held out for us this past weekend and helped make our Rescue class a success. Friday night and Saturday morning was the Emergency First Responder course. We practiced the new guidelines of 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths and got to try out the AED. Saturday afternoon was spent in the Holiday Inn pool practicing rescue techniques that would be put to use in the open water. Sunday was sunny and 75 degrees which is unheard of this late in October. The wind was a bit strong making the in water rescues a challenge with the waves and current.
Joe T., Rob and I took turns being victims that needed rescuing, while Steve, Joe G. and Kari worked hard to save us. Check out some pictures of the students in action below!

Rob explaining the situations to Steve, Joe G. and Kari.

Me busy being saved!

Ahhh!! The "recovery position". With those rocks I needed to recover from the recovery position!

Kari taking in the beautiful afternoon.

Rob in need of a rescue!

Joe T. enjoying some O2!

Joe T. and his lifesavers!

It felt like diving in a washing machine, but above water it was a beautiful fall day.
Now the students just have to take the final exam and they will be official.
Check back for congratulatory notes!

Let's go diving!!