Do you have deep dark thoughts? Do you wish to explore greater depths, or underground caverns and caves? I offer technical and cavern/cave training at all levels, including instructor.
Why should you take a course with me?
My philosophy on technical training is simple: I do not sell c-cards and I am not here to sell you the next course. But here’s the deal, I want you to be the best diver that you can be and my promise to you is that I am committed to providing you with the most comprehensive and complete course that I can possibly teach, with thorough feedback throughout to allow you to improve and achieve your goals. My courses run longer, and my students spend more time in the water, but this provides for a better learning experience.
This means that I provide training for people that are looking for advanced knowledge and skills, but you will do the work necessary to earn certification.
It’s the difference between a nice meal at a fancy restaurant versus Taco Bell (no offense to Taco Bell fans).
A little additional information on my teaching background. I became a scuba instructor in 1995 and spent ten years teaching scuba at the University of Florida, split over two five year periods (1995-1999, 2011-2016). I became a technical/decompression and trimix instructor in 1997 and a cave instructor in 2012. I am currently an Instructor Trainer with IANTD and TDI and a Technical/Cave instructor Examiner with NAUI and the NSS-CDS. The time I’ve spent teaching recreational programs at the university, plus my years of teaching at other levels have helped me hone my ability to work with a variety of learners and helped shape my training philosophy.
My training philosophy
I believe firmly in the principle of guided self-discovery.
Guided self-discovery means that I will not haze you, I will not shout at you, and I will not throw in unnecessary drills, but I will let you make your own mistakes and offer constructive feedback to help you avoid those mistakes in the future.
At the end of the day, I want you to understand the “why’s” so that you will be a thinking diver capable of solving real world problems on your own.
I can be reached by phone at 352.870.5367 or email at ken at sallot dot org.
I have put together a document outlining the expectations I have of all of my students, regardless of the course. You may view it here.
Cave Programs
Are you curious about cave programs? I offer the full range of cave programs at both the diver and instructor levels through NAUI, IANTD, TDI and the NSS-CDS at my standard daily rate. For more information on cave training, please see this page.
Course Minimum Duration Pre-Req Cavern/Intro, Cave 1 or Apprentice (Open Circuit) 4 to 5 days Intro to Tech Full Cave + Stage, Advanced Cave, or Cave 2 (Open Circuit) 5 days Apprentice + 15 dives DPV Cave 2 days Cave 2 + 50 dives CCR Cave Upgrade from OC Full Cave 3 days Full Cave + MOD1 + 50 hours CCR Cave (“Zero to Hero”) 8 days MOD1 + 50 hours Cavern, Cave, CCR Cave, DPV Instructor Call/Email Call/Email
Technical Programs
I also offer the following Technical courses through NAUI, IANTD and TDI at my standard daily rate:
| Course | Minimum Duration | Pre-Req |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Tech (“Doubles Primer”) | 3 days / 4 dives | AOW + 25 dives |
| Sidemount | 3 days / 4 dives | AOW + 25 dives |
| Technical Decompression Diver (AKA Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures) + Helitrox | 5 days / 7 or 8 dives | Intro to Tech or Apprentice |
| Advanced Wreck Diver | 4 days / 6 dives | Cavern or Wreck |
| Normoxic Trimix (OC) | 4 days / 5 dives | AN/DP + 15 decompression dives |
| Hypoxic Trimix (OC) | 5 days / 5 dives | Normoxic Trimix + 15 Normoxic Dives |
| Technica Instructor | Call/Email | Call/Email |
And I also offer the following CCR courses through IANTD, NAUI and TDI:
| Course | Minimum Duration | Pre-Req | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| “MOD 1” (100′ or 150′ max depth w/limited decompression) – ISC Meg (Classic, 15, Tiburon), Fathom or SF2 | 6 days / 600 minutes | AN/DP | $2000 |
| CCR Crossover (Meg, Tiburon, Fathom or SF2) | 3 days / 300 minutes | Mod 1 on another unit plus recent experience | $1200 |
| CCR Normoxic Trimix aka “MOD2” (Meg/SF2/Fathom) | 4 days / 8 dives (360 minutes) | MOD 1 + 50 hours | $1500 |
| CCR Full Trimix aka “MOD3” (Meg/SF2/Fathom) | 5 days / 7 dives (420 minutes) | MOD 2 + 100 hours | $2000 |
| Technical Instructor/CCR Instructor | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email |
Course Fees
Course fees cover my time only, you are responsible for student materials (e-learning or books), admission fees, gear rental and fills. If I am required to travel, you will be responsible for reasonable hotel expenses.
Signing up for a course does not guarantee certification within the minimum number of days and unfortunately, some divers may need an extra day or two to complete a course; those extra days are billed at my daily rate. In some cases you may be asked to come back after a period of self-study/self-practice to complete a course, but we will work out a self-study routine for you to help you achieve success.
Details: I hate having to say this, but a 50% deposit is due upon scheduling a course with full payment due by the beginning of the course. The deposit is refundable up to 30 days prior to the start of the course. Fees are for instruction only, and do not include certification processing fees (if earned), your fills, your entrance fees, or your books. Trimix courses will have an additional charge for helium.
Course Scheduling
My course calendar is below.
If you’re interested in a course that is not listed? Feel free to contact me to set up some dates for training.
About my diving and teaching background
My first decompression dive was when I was 13 back in 1982 off the coast of Roatan Honduras. I was an idiot on that dive and did pretty much everything wrong. My first cave dive was in 1994, and once again, I did a lot of things wrong, but I was smart enough to get some training. I completed “full cave” in February 1995 with a person that was one of the most respected cave instructors in the area. My first trimix dive was also in 1995. Since the mid-90s I have been involved with exploration projects off and on, and have done several “pinnacle” dives in support of research and exploration.
I have been a scuba instructor since 1995, first with the YMCA then with NAUI, TDI, IANTD and the NSS-CDS. I taught scuba at the University of Florida for close to ten years before heading out on my own. My time at the University of Florida reinforced to me that more complete and thorough courses produce safer divers. I am also an instructor trainer and can help instructors become technical/cave instructors.
When I am not teaching, you will usually find me out diving for fun, or helping a research/exploration group out. My idea of fun includes scootering a mile or two back in Manatee, going for a four to six hour dive at Eagles Nest, guiding a group of former students at Jug Hole Cavern, or going to the Cayman Islands for some wall diving.
Course Scheduling
Interested in taking a class? Contact me to see if we can schedule one together. I can be reached by phone at 352.870.5367 or email at ken at sallot dot org.