PADI  DSAT TECHNICAL INSTRUCTOR:
Tom W. Atkins
PADI #93538             IANTD #7579

I started diving after taking a PADI Discover Scuba class on a trip to Cancun, Mexico in 1990. I enjoyed the Cancun experience and decided to become certified as a scuba diver. So, I went through the PADI ranks, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Dive Master as fast as I could. After Dive Master I went back to check out the cave diving at Ginnie Spring and 1995 I became an NSS-CDS Cave Diver. I decided it was time to give back to such a wonderful sport so I became an instructor. My dive experience goes far beyond the typical open water diver and I would like to share what I know and the experiences that I have had with you. I currently teach for PADI as an IDC Staff Instructor and I also teach for IANTD as well. I dive in the springs in Florida as well as the cenotes in Mexico. I have also been to the Oriskany Aircraft Carrier in the Gulf of Mexico. I have been to many wrecks in Lake Michigan as well as many of the local dive sites here in the northern Illinois area, such as Pearl Lake, Haigh Quarry,  Mermet Springs, Lake Wazee and Bonne Terre Mine. Check out the links for the other pages on this site for the detailed information on the other classes that I teach. The major differences from recreational diving to technical diving is not only the additional gear, but more importantly the planning to make sure that you have the adequate gas volumes to safely make the dive. As a Technical Instructor I will teach you how to plan the dive and prepare for unexpected emergencies.

contact me today at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to begin your Tec diving adventure!