Christopher Cote - Padi IDC Staff Instructor ~ HSA Handicapped Scuba instructor

My name is Christopher Cote. My diving career started in 1992 as a Diving Medical Technician at one of the busiest hyperbaric chambers in the world. I then began to dive in the aquatic world in the Pacific Northwest in 1994. I worked my way to PADI instructor in 2001.

I have had a variety of employment experiences along the way. I worked as an EMT for 14 years where in addition to routine ambulance work I developed, implemented, and ran a pool of instructors to teach First Aid and CPR to the community. I then left to work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the diving program. I took a position as the equipment technician for the Standardized Equipment Program. My responsibilities included maintenance, scheduling, inventory, testing, shipping, and receiving equipment for 300+ divers. I did assistant instructing for our working

diver program. This program would bring new and experienced divers alike to the level of NAUI Master diver in 3 weeks. Other programs I was involved with were Hyperbaric Physicians course, Nitrox, and PSI visual tank inspection.

While working my way through the ranks of diving I also managed a dive shop, learning technical diving and technical dive mastering as well. Other skills that I picked up along the way were gas blending, sales, customer service, and light salvage.

Other programs I have been involved with were the National Undersea Research Center Aquarius Undersea Habitat located in Key Largo, Florida. At NURC I was responsible for maintenance of all the program's dive equipment, maintenance of the high and low pressure compressor that was used for the onsite hyperbaric chamber, maintenance of and operation of the hyperbaric chamber, aquanaut training, Habitat and life support buoy maintenance.

My most memorable diving experience was the three years spent on the USS Monitor research project. My roles for the project were many, Hyperbaric Chamber Operator, Diving Medical Technician, Support Diver, Research Diver, and Safety Diver.

Mike Chabalowski - PADI Assistant Instructor

Mike achieved his Open Water Diver certification in 2003 and only regrets that he didn’t achieve it earlier in life. In the past 2 years, Mike has been personally driven to progress beyond his initial Open Water Diver certification to successfully complete courses in Advanced Open Water diving, Emergency First Response/CPR, DAN Oxygen First Aid Rescue Diver, Divemaster and Enriched Air Diving. He’s currently working towards his Master Scuba Diver rating in addition to his Open Water Instructor credentials. Mike currently teaches courses in the areas of Coral Reef Conservation, Discover Scuba/Snorkeling, Scuba Review, Skin Diving and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

Mike dives at every opportunity that presents itself and enjoys local dive sites as well as traveling to exotic dive destinations throughout the Caribbean including his favorite, Cozumel. Traveling to dive in the south Pacific area of Palau/Micronesia is next on Mikes leisure travel plans. Mike’s personal goals include working with students to help them learn the key fundamentals that will unlock the door to Earth’s unique underwater world that can only be experienced through the incredible sport of Scuba Diving!

As an Assistant Instructor I am able to teach the following PADI programs:

AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation
Discover Local Diving
Discover Scuba
Discover Snorkeling
Peak Performance Buoyancy

Project AWARE
SCUBA Review
Skin Diver Course

Layne Holter - PADI Divemaster

Layne’s diving interests began in 2001 on a cruise in the Caribbean. He earned his open water certification in 2002 and has never looked back. Layne has become certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, EFR/CPR/AED Diver, DAN Oxygen First Aid Diver and, most recently, Divemaster. His favorite dive destinations include Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta and Hawaii.

Layne loves teaching and sees the level of PADI Open Water Instructor certification calling his name. He hopes to share his love of diving and the vast unexplored underwater world with future students. After years of working with at-risk and physically challenged students in the classroom (above water), he looks forward to working with a similar population of students below water. Layne believes that everyone can and should learn to dive.

Maureen Leonard

Currently Maureen is employed at the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) in Crystal Lake. She coordinates programs for people with disabilities in the Elgin, Dundee Township and Hampshire area. Maureen was fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of the SCUBA ETC pilot program that took six youth at risk to Turks and Caicos in June of 2005

Maureen received both her Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications on the trip and is planning to achieve both her Rescue Diver and Divemaster certifications within the next 12 months. She has seen the impact that this program has had on the children involved in the initial trip and is looking forward to giving that same opportunity to many more.

Heidi
Jenkins

Currently Heidi works for NISRA (Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association) and has been a part of the organization for two years. She is the coordinator for the Eastern Region served by NISRA as well as the coordinator for NISRA’s Mental Health programs.

Heidi’s background is primarily working with youth at risk and she enjoys seeing the many benefits that they receive from participating in outdoor and adventure activities. Her interest in scuba started when she attended a discover scuba session hosted by Diveheart. From there Heidi co-developed the implementation of the SCUBA ETC program which gave six local kids with the opportunity to experience the world of diving. Heidi is very excited to be part helping others to experience the many benefits received through diving