SCUBA DIVING
Many of the authors on Tropical Authors are veteran divers, including several who are full-fledged dive instructors and dive masters. Whether diving the coral reefs of the Caribbean, spearing some dinner in the Keys, or searching the hull of a sunken wreck for treasure, characters in tropical fiction often find themselves in the depths of the ocean. Here are a few resources if you yourself are thinking of taking the plunge.
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is a recreational diving membership and diver training organization founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson. Cronin was originally a NAUI instructor who decided to form his own organization with Erickson, and to break diver training down into several modular courses instead of the single universal course then prevalent.
PADI courses range from minimal entry level to relatively advanced recreational diver certification, several specialized diving skills courses, usually connected with specific equipment or conditions, some diving related informational courses and a range of recreational diving instructor certifications. They also offer various technical diving courses. As of March 2017 PADI is reported to have issued 25 million scuba certifications. (WIKIPEDIA)
For more than 45 years, Scuba Schools International has provided training, scuba diving certification, and educational resources for divers, dive instructors, dive centers and resorts around the world. Started in 1970, SSI has expanded to include more than 30 Service Centers, is represented in more than 110 countries with over 2,800 International locations, and has materials printed in more than 30 languages. SSI is the name to trust in the diving world, and we attribute that success to our uncompromising standards and focused methodology.
The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) is a non-profit association of scuba instructors. It is a recreational dive certification and membership organization established to provide international diver standards and education programs. The agency was founded in 1960 by Albert Tillman and Neal Hess. NAUI is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, US) with dive and member instructors, resorts, stores, service and training centers, located in Japan, South Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Brazil and the Pacific Rim. (WIKIPEDIA)
Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a group of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to improving diving safety for all divers. It was founded in Durham, North Carolina, United States, in 1980 at Duke University providing 24/7 telephonic hot-line diving medical assistance. Since then the organization has expanded globally and now has independent regional organizations in North America, Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific and Southern Africa.
The DAN group of organizations provide similar services, some only to members, and others to any person on request. Member services usually include a diving accident hot-line, and diving accident and travel insurance. (WIKIPEDIA)
While there are numerous dive ops to choose from throughout the islands, we’re going to start with this one. Nick Sullivan wanted to include Sea Saba because their help was invaluable while he was researching his novel Deep Cut. They are a top-notch dive op and the owners, Lynn and John, have been on the unique little island of Saba since 1989. Their website has some spectacular video and photos of Saba.
The world’s first and only nationally syndicated radio show devoted to diving. Suckin’ on-air since 1997! Each week Greg The Divemaster and friends guide you through the latest dive related news and information often combined with an irreverent twist. Imagine hanging out at a Tiki bar after a day of diving and sharing fish tales with friends. It’s kinda like that… you’ll just have to supply your own rum.
America’s largest consumer scuba and dive travel show. Beneath The Sea, Inc. is a nonprofit, volunteer, membership organization, recognized nationally and Internationally as a source of education about the ocean environment.