This is Your Life, Al!

I've been diving since 1980. When people ask me why I took up the sport I am blatantly honest. To pilage the wrecks and discover sunken treasure. Kind of contradicts the laws doesn't it. So I resigned myself to scrounging in the rivers and lakes around my home, Windsor, Ontario. Back then, the conditions were considered suicidal to dive in. Current, underwater obstructions, and zero visibiliy. Not to mention the chemicals that have eaten the paint off my tanks.

After a close call, where a long time buddy, nearly met his maker, I decided to become a Divemaster and possibly an Instructor. That was in 1988. I searched for a good instructor and found one in London, Ontario, some 125 miles (180 km) away.. Not very convenient, since i had just opened my first business the August before, and had to work there, during the day, then drive 2 hours, for the classes.

The instructors and divemasters focused on two things when teaching students. First and foremost, was safety. Divemasters and instructors were trained to be totally safety conscious, constantly on alert for subtle signs of divers in distress. And secondly, was to have a good time. THAT we did.

In 1989 I succeeded in getting my PADI Open Water Instructor rating. Followed by specialty ratings in Boat, Deep and Wreck diving. I immediately started working for the store that trained me. For the next two years while I worked in London, I gained instructor ratings in more specialties. I then took a job in Sarnia Ontario, again teaching. This kept me busy 6 days a week for months at a time. Still operating my own business during the day. This is where i discovered a unique ability to go non-stop for long periods of time. Not hours, but DAYS without sleep. Don't try this at home. Some people can do it, most can't. Cat naps were my saving grace.

In 1995 I started teaching for a friend in Chatham, Ontario. By this time I was qualified to teach 20 PADI specialties. A Divemaster from London, came to me and asked if I had checked out this stuff called Nitrox. I had read it was an evil dangerous gas, and figured IT was just for me. He gave me the name of an IANTD Instructor in Toronto, and told me to CALL him. I did. This changed the way I would dive and teach courses from then on.

Victor taught me something that was missing, yet I was craving, in my diving technique, discipline. Oh sure, we locked horns, constantly. But his patience prevailed ( and maybe the odd threat of death at his hands, helped).

In 1997 I was convinced, I should start my own store. I had continued to upgrade my skills, where, by 1997 I was certified as an IANTD Trimix Diver. Then in 1998, the Technical EANx Instructor rating, and Trimix Blender Instructor. Along with the MDEA Level Four Instructor (Instructor Evaluator). I haven't decided what is next, but it has to be fun.

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