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Now you are asking why should I train with you? What are your qualifications? This is a question you should ask of any instructor. I was first certified as an Open Water Diver through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in 2004 and over the next two years advanced to the rating of Divemaster with that agency. In addition I hold specialties in Nitrox, Deep, Wreck, Underwater Navigation, Drysuit, and Equipment Specialist. I am also a certified Rescue Diver. In 2006 I began technical training with the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) and earned certifications for Intro to tech and Helitrox. In the fall of 2007 it became clear that I wanted to teach diving. My technical Instructor is also an instructor trainer with the YMCA. The philosophy of that agency and comprehensive training methods drew me to seek Instructor status with them. Their ethical and moral standards also were a perfect fit with my own. When the YMCA decided to close the program a group of dedicated Instructors concluded that the program had too rich of a history and tradition of skills and education based training to let it be lost. As a result SEI Diving was formed and I made the transition to it.

In addition to my formal training I have over 300 dives in conditions ranging from warm clear water in the Florida keys to the cold dark depths of Lake Erie. I've dove the Florida Springs, reefs in the Keys and off of the Caribbean Island of Bonaire. Wrecks in the St Lawrence River, the Florida keys, and Lake Erie as well are recorded in my logbook. Monterey Bay in California in 54 degree water temps and the aforementioned Lake Erie with temps as low as 38 degrees. Many training dives have been conducted in lakes and quarries in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. I have experience in night and low visibility diving. In addition I have certified or assisted in the certification of over 100 students from Jr Open Water to Divemaster. I have also authored a new course in Underwater Navigation for SEI Diving.  I specialize in working with younger people and those needing extra attention due to various conditions. I'm also looking forward to additional training that will allow me to teach individuals with disabilities such as amputees, paraplegics, the blind, and those with neuromuscular diseases. As an SEI Instructor I am also required to maintain a level of skill that requires me to continue to increase my education through additional training and study of issues related to diving. I'm also a factory authorized technician for Oceanic World Wide- a leader in the scuba equipment industry. In addition I hold certifications in CPR/AED, First Aid, and Oxygen Provider for the Professional Rescuer.  My diverse experience and extensive training allow me to guarantee you a comprehensive education as a scuba diver.

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             James Lapenta