NAUI INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Scuba diving classes, lessons, and Information for the San Francisco Bay Area diver
Hello and thank you for your interest in Mitchell Scuba College. This page is intended to be a short biography. I will keep it brief and just list the highlights.
My name is Wayne D. Mitchell. I am a very active diver and have 40 plus years of worldwide diving experience at locations such as:
***** The entire Pacific Coast from Southern California to the San Juan Islands, WA.
***** Alaska, in particular Kodiak Island
*****The Atlantic Coast from Florida to Nova Scotia
*****Many of the Eastern and Western Caribbean Islands
*****All of the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai)
*****Tahiti (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora-Bora)
*****Much of Mexico, including some of the islands such as Cozumel.
I have been told that I am a "water rat" and have over 20,000 hours of ocean experience with thousands of Scuba dives, and even more free (skin) dives. At least half of my diving experience is in Northern California waters, which I personally consider to be "World Class Diving". There is nothing better than a clear calm day diving off the Mendocino Coast in a kelp forest with 100 foot of visibility.
I have been an active NAUI Instructor since 1991, and as a Course Director I am authorized by NAUI to instruct at all levels from Scuba Diver to Instructor Trainer. I am the NAUI chapter manager in the San Francisco - San Mateo area, which means I help out the NAUI Representative of the NAUI West Coast Territory when needed. Here is a list of my certifications:
*****NAUI Pro-platinum affiliate
*****NAUI Course Director (Train future Instructors)
*****NAUI Instructor #13329L
*****NAUI Specialty Instructor
*****NAUI Nitrox Instructor
*****NAUI Instructor - Oxygen Administration, Bloodborne Pathogens, and AED
*****Divers Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen First Aid Instructor
*****Divers Alert Network (DAN) Aquatic Emergencies Instructor
*****Professional Scuba Inspectors (PSI) - Visual Cylinder Inspector
*****International Divers (IDI) - Regulator Repair
*****Recipient of the 2007 NAUI Outstanding Service Award
I enjoyed a wonderful career with the San Francisco Fire Department and was Captain of the SFFD Coast Rescue Unit for over 8 years; I was also an Instructor in the SFFD Water Rescue Program for a number of years. Needless to say when I went to the firehouse I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the ocean participating in surf rescues - or cliff rescues on the sheer cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. If you have never been to San Francisco's Ocean Beach, try to imagine 12 foot waves with a 6 second interval, and on top of that the whole beach is "ripping" out to sea. For those with the proper training it can be a great day of fun in the surf; for those without the proper training, it can be deadly. Simple common sense dictates you always make sure that you are trained for the activity you want to engage in.
I am an avid diver, and thoroughly enjoy all aspects of diving. I do most of my California diving from an ocean kayak off of the Northern California Coast. The wife prefers tropical locations, and we often find ourselves on warm, sunny islands with beautiful blue skies enjoying warm water diving. I honestly can't say which I prefer - it would be like trying to compare steak and lobster - I love them both!
If you have questions about the courses offered contact me, Wayne Mitchell. I will customize course schedules for a group of four or more to meet your time constraints. I will answer all inquiries within one week, and welcome any questions you may have.