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About Us

Diver Dan's Scuba and Aquatic Center has been providing divers with state of the art equipment, exceptional scuba training, diving charters and escorted travel, scuba gear rentals, and equipment repairs since 1983. As a family owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on the personalized attention we give each one of our customers and students, ensuring that they have the knowledge and skills necessary for a safe and comfortable diving experience. When you drop by our facility, at 3927-30th Ave just south of Washington Rd., you're treated as a friend, not just a customer (you'll get a warm welcome from our K-9 greeters, Moki and Triton, too). We offer a family-friendly atmosphere, with a 90 degree heated pool for convenient, onsite swim classes and diving lessons. Additionally, our enthusiastic team of staff members is always on hand to offer expert product advice, individualized attention, and ongoing support throughout your diving journey!

Thanks for your business,

 

Meet The Staff

 

Dan Vaccaro 

 

 

Owner / Instructor / Serv. Tech

 

Date of first certification: 1963

 

Certifications earned: Master Scuba Diver Trainer, ERD Confined Space Ops Instructor, Underwater Video Instructor, Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor, Ice Diving Instructor, CPR1st Instructor, Equipment Specialist Instructor, Dry Suit Diving Instructor, Underwater Photography Instructor, CPROX1st AED Instructor, ERD Instructor, ERD Full Face Mask Instructor, Visual Inspection Procedures Instructor, CPROX Instructor, Underwater Navigation Diving Instructor, Deep Diving Instructor, ERD Contaminated Water OPS Instructor, Computer Diver Instructor, Boat Diving Instructor, Computer Nitrox Instructor, Night-Limited Visibility Diving Instructor, Solo Diving Instructor, Drift Diving Instructor, Wreck Instructor, Diver Propulsion Vehicle Instructor, Marine EcoSystems Awareness Instructor, Search and Recovery Diving Instructor, ERD Drysuit Ops Instructor, Scubility Instructor, VIP Instructor.  Dan also maintains certifications with The Red Cross as an instructor in: Water Safety, CPR AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, Lifeguarding, First aid and O2 provider.

 

Why I scuba dive? The adventure and fun of seeing new places and things!

 

My favorite dive site is the site that I am diving at that time.

 

 

Brian Vaccaro

 

Manager / Instructor / Serv. Tech

 

Date of first certification:  1987 

 

Certifications earned: Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Search and Recovery Diving Instructor, Wreck Instructor, Underwater Navigation Diving Instructor, Marine EcoSystems Awareness Instructor, Boat Diving Instructor, Equipment Specialist Instructor, SDI Full Face Mask Instructor, Visual Inspection Procedures Instructor, Drift Diving Instructor, ERD Confined Space Ops Instructor, Underwater Digital Photography Instructor, Shore and Beach Diving Instructor, Underwater Photography Instructor, Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor, Deep Diving Instructor, Underwater Video Instructor, Solo Diving Instructor, Ice Diving Instructor,ERD Small Boat Ops Instructor, ERD Instructor, Night-Limited Visibility Diving Instructor, ERD Drysuit Ops Instructor, ERD Contaminated Water OPS Instructor, Computer Nitrox Instructor, Diver Propulsion Vehicle Instructor, ERD Full Face Mask Instructor, Dry Suit Diving Instructor, , Scubility Instructor,Fusion Dry Suit Diver Instructor.  Captain on Scout Leaders Rescue Squad Dive Team and Divemaster for Kenosha County Underwater Rescue and Recovery Association.

 

Why I scuba dive?  Being "Diver Dan's" son, I was raised in a scuba environment.   I have loved the underwater world my entire life.  Whether its the beauty and tranquility of a coral reef or the adventure of exploring a shipwreck.  I love sharing the underwater world through my pictures and through instructing new or experienced divers.  As a Public Safety Diver, I work with a great team of volunteer members that provide underwater rescue services to Kenosha County.

 

My favorite dive sites are the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, Utila Honduras, Dominica, Philippines and Fiji

 

 

 

Moki 

 

Official Greeter

 

Date of first certification:  2016

 

Certifications earned:  Sit, Shake,hugs. Why I scuba dive?  I don't actually dive because they won't let me in the pool because my hair will clog the filters. My favorite dive site:  I just love hanging out at Diver Dan's and giving hugs and kisses.  I am usually in the office because I'm still too playful and and like to chase my big brother around but you can always come and pet me and I will be glad to give you a hug and kiss.  A treat once in a while is okay too.

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Ennis 

 

Instructor / Service Tech

 

Date of first certification:

Certifications earned:

Why I scuba dive?

My favorite dive site:

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Marks 

 

Instructor

 

Date of first certification:

Certifications earned:

Why I scuba dive?

My favorite dive site

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Robinson 

 

Instructor

 

Date of first certification: 1998 

 

Certifications earned:  Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Master Diver, Dive Master and completing over 14 specialty certifications including the physically impaired dive buddy program.

 

Why I scuba dive?   I was reading several underwater archeology books in first grade and was enticed by all of the SCUBA pictures.  Fueling to my desire was growing up watching Flipper every Sunday.  Years later I was given the opportunity to take an Open Water course and have been diving throughout the world ever since.  I think it is not only the beauty and peacefulness of the underwater world that keeps me diving, but also the social interactions.  Diving is truly a social sport.

 

My favorite dive sites are the Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, Blue Hole, and the Marianas and Caribbean Islands.

 

 

Mark Lewno

 

Instructor

Date of first certification - 8/24/97 


Certifications Earned - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Dive Master, ERDI - 1, Dry Suit, Computer Nitrox, Equipment Specialist 

Why Do I Dive - I have loved all aspects of water sports since I was young and have always been interested in what lies beneath the surface. This love grew into a healthy respect of our waterways, and the life that they contain. Having the opportunity not just to view wildlife as you do at an aquarium but to be immersed in their environment brings a new dynamic to enjoy. (Just remember to bring along your trusty black and white striped safety stick, just ask). As my enjoyment of the underwater grew, I discovered the history that is found underwater in the form of ship wrecks and sunken artifacts. Exploring a shipwreck is a humbling and extremely awe inspiring experience, especially when learning it's history. Exploring a new wreck, or doing a return visit to a previously dove wreck is always exciting and new. Mix all of that together - underwater wildlife with the excitement of shipwreck exploration and sprinkle in the fact that you are surrounded with likeminded people you have a recipe for an underwater addiction. Why I dive can be summarized by Jacques Cousteau. "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." 

Favorite Dive site - Under ANY water....but if I have to pick: Cold water is the SS Wisconsin (Kenosha) Warm water has been the Trucks and Caicos 

 

Jim Foreman

 

Instructor

 

Date of first certification: April 22, 2003 

Certifications earned: Divemaster, ERD-1 Diver Tech, Rapid Deployment SAR/R, Master Scuba Diver, Rescue Diver, Underwater Photographer, Enriched Air Diver, Wreck Diver, Advanced Open Water, Open Water Diver

Why I scuba dive? I originally just certified as OWD for a vacation to Mexico, but then I was hooked, and wanted more. I love diving because of the peace and tranquility of being underwater, enjoying the scenery, whether it's an old shipwreck, or a beautiful coral head with marine life. Pursuing my specialties was a way for me to expand my opportunities. The Search & Rescue (SAR) side of my diving, as a Public Safety Diver, is to provide assistance to the Kenosha County Emergency Service Organizations, and to the families involved. As a Divemaster, I'm privileged to, help introduce diving to other people, see them grow in their adventure, and give back to those that helped me get to where I am. 

My favorite dive site: It has to be Cayman Brac in the Cayman Islands, but I'm also happy anywhere I have some good visibility and something to look at.

 

Dan Miller

 

Instructor

Date of first certification:  July 31, 2011 


Certifications earned: Divemaster, ERD 1 Dive Technician, specialties in underwater photography, wreck, deep, dry suit, and nitrox. 

Why I scuba dive? As a professor at Carthage College, my initial interest was in exploring underwater biodiversity and teaching Carthage students about environmental risks that coral reefs face presently. I continue to enjoy exploring diverse underwater environments from the Pacific Northwest to the Caribbean. I have also become fascinated with wreck diving, both learning about the history of the ships, how they ended up at the bottom, and exploring these underwater museums that are a testament to human engineering, and often human frailty. 

My favorite dive site: The USS Kittiwake in Grand Cayman. This submarine rescue ship was purposely sunk to create an environment for biodiversity development and a tourist destination for divers. Much of the dive is spent inside the ship which was safety prepared for penetration prior to sinking. A highlight is a decompression chamber that divers can swim into and stand up in, leaving one's head in an air pocket at 60 foot depth. 

 

Ron Weavel

Divemaster

Date of first certification: 1988 PADI OWD  


Certifications earned: PADI Master Scuba Diver, Specialties: Deep Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Navigator, Digital Photography, Equipment specialist, and Ice Diver. SDI Divemaster. ERDI Line Tender.

Why I scuba dive? I dive because I enjoy the scenery and moments shared with family. It is always something new and interesting. I also dive to stay current in the diving world which makes me a better diver, and those experiences I can pass on.

My favorite dive site: In the Caymans my favorite dive site is Devil's grotto when the silver sides are in. In Hawaii my favorite site is the Aquarium (it contains lava tubes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Jarvela

Divemaster

Date of first certification: Aug 2014


Certifications earned: SDI Open Water, Advanced Adventure, Rescue, Boat, Drift, Deep, Nitrox, UW Navigator, Drysuit, Wreck, Equipment Specialist, Digital Photographer, ERDI Tender

Why I scuba dive? 
I've always had a love for the water at a young age. I enjoy how relaxing and calming it is underwater while diving; hearing your breathing, weightlessness, marine life and coral reefs. And of course, the comradery amongst the divers.

My favorite dive site: All of them !! In particular: Cayman Islands, Honduras, Atolls near Belize, Dominica and Lake Superior (Munising, MI).

 

 

 

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