Meet Our In-Store Staff

Name: Keith Chesnut        
Instructor Level: Course Director (Instructor Trainer)      
Instructor #:
9288 
Background: Started diving in 1968, logged over 10,500 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.
Specialties Taught: 
Instructor Trainer: 
PADI:  Altitude, Boat, Buoyancy, Deep, Digital U/W Photography, DPV, Drift, Dry Suit, EANx, Equipment, Full Face Mask, Hunter, Ice, Medic First Aid, Multilevel, Navigator, Night,  Photography, Dolphin Rebreather, Search & Recovery, Videography, Wreck, Marine Life Injuries, PADI AED, PADI O2 First Aid

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

DSAT: Gas Blender, Tec Basic, Tec Diver 1, Tec Deep, Tec Trimix

Ocean Reef:
Neptune II Full Face Mask, 

DAN: O2 First Aid, O2 in Aquatics, Hazardous Marine, REMO, BLS PRO,  Advanced O2 First Aid,  Neuro,  AED,  DES,  D.E.M.P.,

TDI: Advanced Nitrox, Rebreather Instructor, Decompression Procedures, Extended Range Instructor, Trimix Instructor,  Advanced Trimix Instructor,  Nitrox Blender, Advanced Gas Blender,

Instructor:  PSI Visual Inspector Instructor, TDI KISS Rebreather Instructor
  
Misc.:  IAST Certified Master Repair Technician, Aqualung Certified Master Technician, Certified Repair Technician for Apeks, Apollo, Aqualung, Atomic, Dacor, Mares, Ocean Reef , Oceanic, Poseidon, Scubapro, Sherwood, Seaquest, Submersible Systems, US Divers, Zeagle,  Certified Trimix Blender, Bauer Compressor Repair Technician
E-mail: keith@sierradive.com or kchesnut@nvbell.net 

Name: Michali Rambas
Diver Level:
Divemaster
Divemaster #:
48593
Background:
Started diving in 1987. Has 1200+ dives. Worked for Disney at Ocean Quest for 6 years as dive guide and repair technician.
Specialties:

Misc.:
Aqualung Master Technician, Certified Trimix Blender, PSI Visual Inspector, Certified Repair Technician - Atomic, Sherwood, Genesis, Oceanic, Scubapro, Dacor, Spare Air,  Zeagle
E-mail:
miker_sierradive@sbcglobal.net
Name: Scott Hagen
Instructor Level:
IDC Staff Instructor
Instructor #:
190389
Background:
Started diving in 1973. Became Certified Instructor in 2004. Logged over 300 open water dives.
Specialties Taught: 
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, Enriched Air, Multilevel, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, U/W Navigator, AWARE Coral Reef, EFR, EFR Children, DSAT Trimix Blender
Misc.:
Aqualung Master Technician, PSI Visual Inspector, Scubapro Repair Technician, Certified Trimix Blender
E-mail:
scott_hagen@sbcglobal.net
Name: Matthew Rhiley
Diver Level:
  Rescue Diver
Background:
Started diving in 2003.
Specialties:
Misc.:
Public Safety Diver WC Hasty Team, PSI Visual Inspector, DSAT Trimix Blender
E-mail: matthewrhiley@yahoo.com
Name: Bill Caton
Diver Level:
  Rescue Diver
Background:

Specialties:
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector, DSAT Trimix Blender
E-mail:
Name: Andy Speakman
Diver Level:
  Rescue Diver
Background:

Specialties:
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:
Name: Steve Sexton
Diver Level:
  Master Scuba Diver. Approx 100 dives
Background:
Started diving in 2006.
Specialties: Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, EFR, Equipment, Multilevel, Nitrox, Peak Performance Buoyancy.
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:
Name: Noah Bessette
Diver Level:
  Master Scuba Diver. 100+ Dives
Background:
Started diving in 2005.
Specialties: Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, EFR, Equipment, Full Face Mask, Multilevel, Night, Nitrox, Photo
Misc.:
WCSO Hasty Team Diver, PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:


Meet Our Instructional Staff

  Name: Michael Choque
Instructor Level: Course Director
Instructor #: 16374
Background:
Specialties Taught:
Misc.:
E-mail:
Name: Frank Chase
Instructor Level: Master Instructor
Instructor #: 33759
Background: Started diving in 1973. Logged approx. 2000 open water dives. Certified Instructor in 1988
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Boat, Buoyancy, Deep, Drysuit, EANx, Multi-level, Navigation, Night, Search & Recovery, Naturalist, Rebreather, U/W Photography, U/W Videography, Wreck, DSAT Gas Blender, U/W Hunter, 
Misc.:
Certified Master Technician Aqualung, Certified Repair Technician for Scubapro, Sherwood, Genesis, Oceanic, Atomic, PSI Visual Inspector,  TDI Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Basic Trimix Diver, Advanced Trimix Diver, Certified Trimix Blender
E-mail:
Name: Christopher Phipps
Instructor Level:
IDC Staff Instructor
Instructor #:
7039
Background:
Started diving in 1972. Became Certified Instructor in 1976. Has logged over 1000 open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Digital U/W Photography, Dolphin Rebreather, Dry Suit, DPV Diver, Enriched Air, Full Face Mask, Ice Diver, Multi-Level, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, Search & Recovery, U/W Navigation, U/W Photographer, Wreck,  DSAT Trimix Blender, PADI O2 First Aid, PADI Marine Life Injuries, PADI AED, DAN DES, DAN O2, DAN Hazardous Marine Life, DAN REMO, DAN BLS PRO, DAN Advanced O2 First Aid, DAN Neuro, DAN AED, Emergency First Response CPR, First Aid & AED, Care for Children, TDI Nitrox, TDI Advanced Nitrox, TDI Dolphin Rebreather, TDI Decompression Procedures, TDI Advanced Gas Blender, DSAT/PADI Tec Deep Diver, DSAT/PADI Trimix Diver
Misc.:
Tec Trimix Diver, PRISM CCR Diver, Blender, Dive Team Leader/Public Safety Diver WC Hasty Team, PSI Visual Inspector,
E-mail: chris@deepdiving.us
Name: Larry Stern
Instructor Level:
IDC Staff Instructor
Instructor #:
181809
Background:
Started diving in 1999. Became Certified Instructor in 2002. Has logged over 400 open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, U/W Navigation, Search & Recovery, Night, Drift, Deep, Wreck, EANx, Trimix Blender, Altitude, Boat, Equipment, U/W Photography, Drysuit, Multi-Level, Digital U/W Photography, DAN O2, DAN Hazardous Marine, DAN REMO, DAN BLS PRO, DAN Advanced O2 First Aid, DAN Neuro, DAN AED, Emergency First Response CPR, First Aid & AED, Care for Children
Misc.: Special interest in Environmental Awareness, conservation & ecology and preservation of marine areas. Scubapro Repair Technician, PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:
jedi@saber.net
sb.jpg (11890 bytes) 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, 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:
seppldebi@juno.com
Name: Keith Irvine
Instructor Level: Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 96884
Background: Started diving in 1994. Certified as an Instructor in 1997. Logged approx. 800+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, Drysuit, DSAT Gas Blender, EANx, Multilevel, Night, Deep, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, EFR
Misc.:
PSI Visual Cylinder Inspector, TDI Advanced Nitrox, TDI Deco Procedures, TDI, Basic Trimix Diver, TDI Advanced Trimix Diver, TDI Rebreather Diver
E-mail: 
irvinek@netzero.net
Name: Sam Jellison
Instructor Level: Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 170567 
Background: Started diving in 1997. Certified as Instructor in 2002. Has made approx. 400 open water dives.
Specialties Taught: Altitude, Boat , Buoyancy, Deep, Drysuit, EANx, Multi-level, Night, U/W Navigation, EFR, Project Aware, Wreck  
Misc.:
Certified Repair Technician for Scubapro, PSI Visual Inspector, DAN/PADI O2, TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver
E-mail:
sam@getsam.com
Name: Dan Jimenez
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #: 
174725
Background:
Started diving in 2000, became a Certified Instructor in 2001. Has approximately 300+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Deep, Drysuit, EANx, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, EFR, DAN/PADI O2 First Aid  
Misc.:
Certified Repair Technician Apeks, Aqualung, Seaquest, PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:
djimenez@renown.org
Name: Rod Sloan
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer & H.S.A. Instructor
Instructor #:
160443
Background:
Started diving in 1972, became a Certified Instructor in 1999. Has approximately 500+ open water dives. Only Certified Instructor in Adaptive Scuba Courses for the physically challenged in Reno
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drift, EANx, Buoyancy, Navigation, Multi-level, Night, Project Aware
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector, Scubapro Repair Technician,
E-mail:
rsloan@sppc.com
Name: Dale Barber
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #:
187731
Background:
Started diving in 1999. Became a Certified Instructor in 2003. Has logged approximately 300+ dives.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, Enriched Air, Multi-level, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, U/W Navigation
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector, Scubapro Repair Technician
E-mail:
tomcat7359@yahoo.com
Name: Rebecca Lim
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #:
187677
Background:
Started diving in 1997. Became Certified Instructor in 2003. Has logged over 275+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drysuit, EFR, Multi-level, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector, Scubapro Repair Technician
E-mail:
divebuddybecky@gmail.com
Name: Ed McCann
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #:
169850
Background:
Started diving in 1998. Became Certified Instructor in 2004. Master Scuba Diver Trainer 2005. Has logged over 400 open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
AED, Altitude, Boat, Deep, Drift, Drysuit, DSAT Trimix Gas Blender, EANx, Ice, Marine Life Injuries, Multi-level, Night, O2 First Aid, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, EFR, Wreck, DAN DEMP, DAN O2, DAN Advanced O2, DAN HMLI, DAN AED, DAN On-site Neurological Assessment, DAN BLS Pro
Misc.: PSI Visual Inspector
E-mail:
nvirish@juno.com
Name: Joe Tartaglia
Instructor Level:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor #:
195985
Background:
Started diving in 2004. Became an Instructor in 2005. Has logged over 200+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Buoyancy, Project Aware, Altitude, Multi-Level, Deep, Digital U/W Photography, Drysuit, EANx, Night, Full Face Mask, U/W Photography, DSAT Trimix Blender, PADI O2 First Aid, DAN O2, DAN Hazardous Marine, DAN REMO, DAN BLS PRO, DAN Advanced O2 First Aid, DAN Neuro, DAN AED, Emergency First Response CPR, First Aid & AED, Care for Children
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector, Certified Trimix Blender, Certified Repair Technician Scubapro, Aqualung Master Technician, Public Safety Diver WC Hasty Team  
E-mail:
joediver@decodiving.us
Name: Doug Mishler
Instructor Level:
Open Water Scuba Instructor
Instructor #: 
172392
Background:
Started diving in 1969, became a Certified Instructor in 2000. Has approximately 500+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project Aware, Altitude, Drysuit, EFR, Enriched Air
Misc.:
TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver, TDI Rebreather Diver
E-mail: damishler@aol.com
Name: Mike Sylvester
Instructor Level:
Open Water Instructor
Background:
Started diving in 1996, became a Certified Diver in 2003. Instructor in 2007. Has approximately 500+ open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Altitude, Deep, Drysuit, EFR, Care for Children,  Enriched Air, Multi-level, Night, Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy
Misc.:
PSI Visual Inspector, Certified Trimix Blender
E-mail:
mikes_sierradive@sbcglobal.net
Name: Ken Stynen
Instructor Level:
Open Water Instructor
Instructor #:
84060
Background:
Started diving in 1994. Became an Instructor in 2007 Has approximately 200 open water dives.
Specialties Taught:
Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy
Misc.:
E-mail:
learntodive@live.com

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