Russell - PADI Master SCUBA Diver Trainer

Hey Divers!!
I got hooked on scuba diving at a young age with the love of being in the water and watching TV shows and movies like: “Sea Hunt,” “The Underwater World of Jacques Cousteau,” “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” and the James Bond movie Thunderball. My actual journey into scuba diving started with my open water certification through Scuba Schools International (SSI) at Subic Bay Naval Base in the Republic of the Philippines in 1990 while in the US Marine Corps. I joined the Army after receiving my Political Science degree from UW-Superior. In the Army I always enjoyed teaching, coaching, and mentoring my Soldiers and watching them get excited when they learned a new skill or learned a new concept - watching them grow. After retiring from the military after 27 years of service, I knew I would find that same joy teaching people how to dive. I also enjoy working with disabled Veterans, helping them restore mobility and gain freedom as divers. I am a Scouts BSA Scuba Diving Merit Badge Counselor.
FAVORITE DIVE LOCATION:
Local: Lake Wazee, WI - Blue Gill Alley
International: Pattaya, Thailand
FAVORITE SPECIALTY CLASS:
Deep Diver Specialty
FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
Bangkok Sky at the Baiyoke Hotel
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) # 531052
Specialty classes
Coral Reef Conservation Course
Deep Diver Course
Dive Against Debris Course
Dry Suit Diver Course
Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver Course
Full Face Mask Diver Course
Ice Diver Course
PADI AWARE Course
Peak Performance Buoyancy Course
ReActivate Scuba Refresher
Underwater Navigator Course
Wreck Diver Course
Emergency Oxygen Provider Course
Care for Children w/AED Course
Emergency First Response (EFR) Course
Scuba Diving International (SDI) # 38449
Specialty classes
Advanced Buoyancy Control Course
Computer Diver Course
Computer Nitrox Course
Ice Diver Course
Marine EcoSystems Awareness Course
Scubility Course
Snorkeling Course
Adult and Child Emergency Care
Blood borne Pathogens
Oxygen Administration
Handicap Scuba Association (HSA) # I-4761
Divers Alert Network (DAN) # 88204
Basic Life Support course (CPR and First Aid)
Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries Course
MY DIVE GEAR:
BCD: Hollis ST Elite System w/ 35lb Wing & Stainless Steel Plate
COMPUTER: (primary) Perdix 2 X Swift combo; (back-up) Garmin Descent MK2i
REGULATORS: Zeagle F8 & F8 Octo
WETSUIT: Bear Reactive 3mm
DRYSUIT: Waterproof D7X with Meshtec 3D insulating undergarment
FINS: Mares Quattro Plus with bungee strap / Apeks RK3 HD
Dive Lights: (primary) OrcaTorch D620; (back-up) Bigblue AL1300NP and Bigblue AL1200WP