Your SCUBA Diving Gateway to
Lake Tahoe!
Lake Tahoe
Meet Our In-Store Staff
Keith Chesnut Name: Keith Chesnut        
Instructor Level: Course Director (Instructor Trainer)      
Instructor #:
9288 
Background: Started diving in 1968, logged over 14,200 dives to date. Instructor since 1975, Instructor Trainer since 1978, owner Sierra Diving Center since 1976, PADI District Director and IE Coordinator. TDI Instructor Trainer #5917, NAUI Instructor #4260 (inactive), DAN Instructor Trainer #282, PSI Instructor #104.

Specialties Taught:
 
Instructor Trainer: 
PADI:  Altitude, Boat, Buoyancy, Deep, Digital U/W Photography, Dolphin Rebreather, DPV, Drift, Dry Suit, EANx, Emergency Oxygen, Equipment, Full Face Mask, Hunter, Ice, Multilevel, Navigator, Night,  Photography, Search & Recovery, Self-Reliant, Sidemount, Tec Sidemount, Videography, Wreck, Marine Life Injuries, PADI AED, PADI O2 First Aid

Emergency First Response:  CPR, First Aid & AED, Care for Children

DSAT: Tec Rec Trimix Blender, Tec Basic, Tec Diver 40, Tec 45, Tec 50,
Tec Trimix 45, Tec Trimix 65, Tec Trimix,


Ocean Reef:
Neptune Full Face Mask 

DAN: O2 First Aid, Hazardous Marine, REMO, BLS-CPR & FA,  BLS-Health Care Provider, Neuro,  DES,  D.E.M.P., Dive Medicine for Divers, Diving First Aid for the Professional Diver

TDI: Advanced Nitrox, Rebreather Instructor, Decompression Procedures, Extended Range Instructor, Helitrox Instructor, Trimix Instructor,  Advanced Trimix Instructor,  Nitrox Blender, Advanced Gas Blender, KISS Rebreather Instructor, TDI Tec Sidemount Instructor,

Instructor:  PADI Public Safety Diver Instructor, PSI Visual Inspector Instructor, PSI Valve Repair Technician Instructor, PSI Eddy Current Instructor, PSI Oxygen Cleaning Technician Instructor, BSA Merit Badge Counselor
  
Misc.:  IAST Certified Master Repair Technician, Aqualung Certified Master Technician, Scubapro Certified Master Technician, Certified Repair Technician for Apeks, Apollo, Aqualung, Atomic, AUP (Oceanic, Hollis, Aeris), Cressi, Dacor, Deep 6, Dive-Rite, Edge/Hog, Hollis Prism 2 & Explorer, Interspiro/AGA, Mares, NEX, Ocean Reef , OTS Guardian & Guardian Stealth, Poseidon, SAS Repair Technician, Sherwood, Seaquest, Submersible Systems, US Divers, Zeagle, Certified Cave Diver, Certified Trimix Blender, Bauer Compressor Repair Technician, Kiss Sport and Classic CCR Diver, PRISM CCR Diver, Evolution CCR Diver, PADI Elite Instructor Award Recipient, Gold Course Director

E-mail: keith@sierradive.com or kchesnut@nvbell.net

Ryder Miller  Name: Ryder Miller
Instructor
Level:
Master Instructor
Instructor #: 160059
Background: Started diving in 1995. Has approximately 1000+ open water dives. Became an Instructor in 2017.  
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Boat, Deep, Digital UW Photography, Diver Propulsion Vehicle(DPV), Drysuit, Emergency First Response Instructor, Emergency O2, Equipment Specialist, Full Face Mask, Night, Nitrox, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, Project Aware Coral Reef Conservation, Search & Recovery, Self Reliant Diver, Sidemount, Tec Rec Trimix Blender, UW Navigation, Wreck,
Misc.:
 Apeks Certified Repair Technician, Aqualung Certified Repair Technician, Atomic Certified Technician. Cressi Certified Repair Technician, Deep 6, Hollis Certified Repair Technician, Mares Certified Repair Technician, NEX Certified Repair Technician, Oceanic Certified Repair Technician, OTS Certified Guardian Technician, PSI Visual Inspector, PSI Valve Repair Technician, PADI Tec 50 Diver, PADI Tec Rec Trimix Blender, Scubapro Certified Repair Technician, Zeagle Certified Repair Technician, PADI Elite Instructor Award Recipient
E-mail:
RyderM@sierradive.com

See pictures of Ryders dives in Iceland at Silfra!

James Beaver Name: James (Jim) Beaver
Diver
Level:
Advanced Open Water Diver
Background: Started diving in 1974. Has 160 open water dives. 
Specialties:
  
Misc.:
Aqualung Certified Repair Technician, Cressi Certified Repair Technician, Deep 6, NEX Certified Repair Technician, PSI Visual Inspector, PSI Valve Repair Technician, Scubapro Certified Repair Technician 
E-mail:
JamesB@sierradive.com
Katie Fielder Name: Katie Fielder
Diver
Level: Rescue Diver
Background: Started diving in 2015. Has 45 open water dives. 
Specialties:  
Nitrox   
Misc.:
 PADI Tec Rec Trimix Blender, PSI Visual Inspector, PSI Valve Repair Technician
E-mail:
KatieF@sierradive.com
Keith Campbell Name: Keith Campbell
Diver
Level: Rescue Diver
Background: Started diving in 2016. Has 140+ open water dives. 
Specialties: 
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, Enriched Air, Equipment, Night, Peal Performance Buoyancy, Sidemount,    
Misc.:
Aqualung Certified Repair Technician, Deep 6, NEX Certified Repair Technician, OTS Certified Guardian Technician, Scubapro Certified Repair Technician, PADI Tec Rec Trimix Blender, PSI Visual Inspector, PSI Valve Repair Technician
E-mail:
kcampbell@sierradive.com
Kyle Hotchkiss Name: Kyle Hotchkiss
Diver
Level: Rescue Diver
Background: Started diving in 2022. Has 30+ open water dives. 
Specialties: 
Drysuit, Emergency O2 Provider, Enriched Air Diver, Equipment Specialty,   
Misc.:
Aqualung Certified Repair Technician, PSI Visual Inspector, PADI Tec Rec Trimix Blender 
E-mail:
KyleH@sierradive.com
mikigray Name: Miki Gray
Diver
Level: Divemaster
Divemaster #: 435691
Background: Started diving in 2017. Has 150+ open water dives. 
Specialties: 
Enriched Air Diver
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector, PADI Tec Rec Trimix Blender 
E-mail:
MikiG@sierradive.com
C Mulkey Name: Curtis Mulkey
Diver Level:
IDC Staff Instructor
Instructor #: 417049

Background:
Started diving in ? Became an Instructor in 2019. Has approximately open water dives.
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Deep Diver, EANx Diver, EFR, Emergency Oxygen Provider, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, Wreck Diver,
Misc.:
 Aqualung Certified Repair Technician,, Cressi Certified Repair Technician, PSI Valve Repair Technician, PSI Visual Inspector, Scubapro Certified Repair Technician, PADI Elite Instructor Award Recipient
E-mail: curtism@sierradive.com

Meet The Instructors
Seppl Baumann Name: Seppl Baumann
Instructor Level: Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 17605
Background: Started diving in 1979, certified as PADI Instructor in 1984, has approx. 1000 open water dives
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Boat, D.A.N./PADI O2, Diver propulsion Vehicle (DPV), Drysuit, Enriched Air, EFR, U/W Photography, U/W Videography
Misc.:
WCSO Hasty Team Committee Chairman of Training and Supervision, Certified Repair Technician, Viking, Sherwood, Scubapro, Atomic
E-mail:
grizanch@hotmail.com

John Lawrence Name: John Lawrence
Instructor Level: Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 277888
Background: Started diving in 2007. Became an Instructor in 2011. He has logged over 450 open water dives. 
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, DAN O2, DAN Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, DAN Neuro, DAN BLS-FA, DAN DEMP,   Deep, Digital UW Photography, Drysuit, EFR, Enriched Air, Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy,
Misc.:
 
PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:
Ken Stynen Name: Ken Stynen
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #:
84060
Background:
Started diving in 1992. Became an Instructor in 2007 Has 900+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Deep, Drysuit, Enriched Air, Full Face Mask, Search & Recovery, Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, EFR w/AED and Care for Children, BSA Merit Badge Counselor,
Misc.:
E-mail:
learntodive@live.com

Joe Ross Name: Joe Ross
Instructor Level: Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 87601
Background: Started diving in 1974. Has logged over 3500 open water dives. Became a Divemaster in 1994 and an Instructor in 2010.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, DAN O2, DAN Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, DAN Neuro, DAN BLS-FA, DEMP,  Deep, Drysuit, Enriched Air, Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy, DSAT Tec 40, 45, 50, U/W Navigation
Misc.:
DSAT Tec Trimix Diver,
E-mail: joe@iputty.com


Name: Jerry DeVore
Instructor Level: Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 197685
Background: Started diving in 2003. Became an Instructor in 2012. Has approx 550 open water dives. Former law enforcement diver specializing in evidence recovery.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, DAN O2, DAN Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, DAN Neuro, DAN BLS-FA, DAN DEMP, Deep, Digital UW Photography, Drysuit, EFR, Enriched Air, Full Face Mask, Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy,
Misc.:
PADI Elite Instructor Award Recipient, PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:
gwdevore@yahoo.com

Chris Scully  Name: Chris Scully
Diver Level:
Instructor
Instructor #: 88383

Background:
Started diving in ? Became an Instructor in 2016. Has approx  openwater dives.
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Drysuit, EANx Diver, EFR, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware
Misc.:
 
E-mail:

Name: Mark Rand
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 351946

Background:
Started diving in 2002 Became an Instructor in 2017. Has approx. 500 open water dives.
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Boat, Deep, Diver propulsion Vehicle (DPV), Drysuit, EFR, Emergency O2, Enriched Air(Nitrox), Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, Search & Recovery, Self-Reliant Diver, Sidemount, Wreck
Misc.:
 PSI Visual Cylinder Inspector
E-mail:
Name: Derek Giurlani
Instructor Level:
Instructor
Instructor #: 377904

Background:
Started diving in April 2014. Became an Instructor March 2016. Has approximately 150 open water dives
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, EFR, Enriched Air(Nitrox), Full Face Mask, Multi-Level, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, Search & Recovery,
Misc.:
 
E-mail: derekgmoney@yahoo.com
Sam Jellison Name: Sam Jellison
Instructor Level: IDC Staff Instructor
Instructor #: 170567 
Background: Started diving in 1997. Certified as Instructor in 2002. Has made approx. 1000+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Boat , Deep, Digital UW Photo, Drysuit, EANx, Equipment, Full Face Mask, Ice, Multi-level, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, Search & Recovery, U/W Navigation, EFR CPR, First Aid, AED, EFR Care for Children, Project Aware, Wreck, DAN O2, DAN Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, DAN Neuro, DAN BLS-FA, DAN DEMP  
Misc.:
Certified Repair Technician for Scubapro, PSI Visual Inspector, DAN/PADI O2, TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver, DSAT Trimix Blender, PADI Elite Instructor Award Recipient
E-mail:
sam@getsam.com

John Whitesides Name: John Whitesides
Diver Level:
IDC Staff Instructor
Instructor #: 277456

Background:
Started diving in 2009. Became an Instructor in 2012  Has approximately 600 open water dives.
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Enriched Air(Nitrox), Navigation, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, Night, Wreck, Drift, Digital UW Photo, EFR, Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, 
Misc.:
 PSI Valve Repair Technician, PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail: jrweajrwea@gmail.com
Taylor Strawn Name: Taylor Strawn
Instructor Level:
Open Water Scuba Instructor
Instructor #: 435032
Background: Started diving in 2013. Has approximately 150 open water dives. Became an Instructor in 2019 
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drift, Drysuit Diver, EANx Diver, Full Face Diver, Navigation, Night, Search & Recovery, DAN O2 Provider, PADI Emergency O2 Provider,
Misc.:
Apeks Certified Repair Technician, Aqualung Certified Repair Technician, Scubapro Certified Repair Technician, PSI Visual Inspector, PSI Valve Repair Technician, PADI Tec Rec Trimix Blender, AAUS Scientific Diver
E-mail:
TaylorS@sierradive.com

Anders Jakobbson Name: Anders Jakobsson
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 528129
Background: Started diving in 1993. Has approximately 350 open water dives. Became an Instructor 2022. Commercial Diver, military diver. 
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, EANx Diver, PADI Emergency O2 Provider, EFR, Search & Recovery, Sidemount
Misc.:
TDI Advanced Gas Blender, TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver, Commercial Diver
E-mail:
AndersJ@sierradive.com

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Updated 15 February 2024