Your instructor,
Michael
O'Leary, former President of the National
Association of Cave Divers (NACD). He also served as the NACD's International Safety Officer,
reporting on cave diving accidents that occur throughout the world through a
network of Regional Safety Officers, and as a training committee member,
assisting the Training Director to maintain safe training, procedures and
education. Michael is one of the most experienced and thorough instructors
out in cave country.
Michael is
also an instructor for the following accredited agencies: The National Speleological Society Cave Diving (NSS-CDS)
; The International
Association Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD); Technical Diving
International-Scuba Diving International (TDI-SDI); He is also an
open water instructor and a DAN O2 instructor.
Michael began diving with the military in 1968.
For over ten years, he served as the Scuba Director and Safety Officer at a
prestigious New York University. Fascination with the beauty of the
underwater world, coupled with intrigue for new adventure, captured his interest
when he visited the caves in north central Florida in 1983. After falling
in love with the many beautiful and extensive Florida spring systems, he
immediately became trained in cave diving.
Living within twenty miles of more than thirty springs and
sinkholes, which are ranked among the best in the world, has provided the
perfect environment for Michael's career as a full time instructor and guide.
During the decades he has been involved in diving, Michael has been the
recipient of several awards, such as the Abe Davis Safe Cave Diving Award and
the Wakulla Gold Award for the completion of over 1000 safe cave dives. He
is one of the earliest cave divers to explore the systems in north central
Florida and has assisted in the exploration and survey of the Peacock III
system, which lies in the heart of cave country in Florida.
Michael's goals are to establish safe training standards and procedures for all
levels of diving certifications, and to promote aware in the conservations and
preservation of Florida's cave systems. |
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Physical fitness  is an
especially important part of anyone's daily life, particularly
in the overhead environment.
Physical fitness is an especially important aspect of every diver's life,
since some diving situations can place serious stress on the entire body,
especially the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Anxiety, skill
inefficiency, a poorly conditioned hearts, hyperventilation, obesity, equipment
restrictions, breathing resistance, and heat loss are among the onset of
fatigue.
Diving is an sport, and a diver should not consider diving
a measure to maintain physical fitness. It is suggested that the diver incorporate a
daily program of cardiovascular exercises, as well as weight training along with a
healthy diet and life style in order to be prepared for the physical challenges
presented to the diver.
Michael maintains a high degree of fitness and endurance.
I prefer
Ross's workouts and Muay Thai boxing to stay physically and mentally fit. I
visit Thailand to stay proficient at Muay Thai boxing.
The key to proper training is the instructor.
Your instructor must be competent, knowledgeable, and a good teacher
in good physical condition. Every individual interested in partaking
in a diving course should research potential instructors and should ask
questions concerning their experience and health. There are plenty of "book
smart" instructors out there, but many of them just spout a philosophy and don't
live it. This instructor does! Diving is quite a demanding and
unforgiving sport; choose your instructor wisely! |
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Experience as a diver, as well as, instructor are other
important aspects which directly impacts the quality of training provided
to students. It is essential to research the background of perspective
instructors. This sport is quite demanding and unforgiving at time, so
choose your instructor wisely because the Grim Reaper
 is
always watching! |
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Students sometimes place more importance on the price
for a course than the individual instructor who is teaching the
course. Yes, you will find less expensive courses. However,
in this sport many instructors cut corners and students never know until
the unforgiven arises. I teach you how to prepare and cope for those
events. In my course you get well more than what your pay for. As
I mentioned above, the overhead environment can be very unforgiving and
receiving poor training will definitely catch up with the student soon or
later. I live to dive and I teach to dive!
I don't short change the student
nor are there any short cuts in my courses! |
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Michael is committed to
training safe and competent students. Michael prides himself in his students'
abilities to venture safely into another dimension, the underwater caves of
Florida.
Choose your instructor wisely and
don't be caught with your pants down! 
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