At ISC we look at providing our clients with the best value whether it be for equipment, service, or instruction. We are not only concerned about teaching you how to dive safely but confidently. ISC is affiliated with International Diving Educators Association (IDEA) and the Public Safety Diving Association & Water Rescue (PSDA).

We are sometimes asked why we chose these affiliations over others. It is true that several years ago we had a different affiliation but we became concerned that their philosophy and ours were on diverging paths. We wanted some teaching flexibility and freedom. We wanted to exceed the minimum standards as we felt it is not only necessary to train a diver to be safe but confident and comfortable in the water. IDEA gives us these options. They were originally established in 1952 as part of the Florida Skin Divers Association, they are a charter member of the Recreational Scuba Training Council, and currently the fourth largest training agency in the World.

Our curriculums are not performance based where a client simply has to show they can perform the skill but are based on developing proficiency with the skill sets needed to be relaxed and safe when diving. Our courses may involve more confined water training and classroom discussions than other instructors but it affords additional time to reinforce the skill sets you will need to be a safe, confident, and comfortable diver which equates into an enjoyable underwater experience. After all shouldn’t that be what you expect ? 

MEET OUR STAFF 

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Steve Hale  Master Scuba Instructor/Course Director/Examiner & Instructor Trainer Evaluator

Steve began his diving career in 1973.  He became a PADI Open Water Instructor in 1976 and soon thereafter worked his way to becoming a PADI Master Instructor.  Ultimately, he affiliated with the International Diving Educators Association (IDEA) as an Instructor Trainer Evaluator.  His expertise lies in Search and Recovery, Underwater Navigation, and Rescue Techniques.  He also holds a Commercial Salvage Certification and is certified as a Full Cave Diver.  Steve has certified thousands of students in all levels of the sport from Basic through Examiner ratings.  He holds SCUBA certifications from IDEA, NAUI, PADI, and YMCA.  Steve has logged thousands of hours underwater and has conducted numerous dive trips to different locations including the Bahama Islands, Belize, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Honduras, Florida Keys, Florida Springs, Truk Island, Palau, and Venezuela.

Steve graduated from the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University.  He is a co-owner of the International Scuba Center and works as a technologist in the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Johnson City Medical Center.

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Mike Stoots  Scuba Instructor

Bio to follow. 

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Richard Whitt  Scuba Instructor/Course Director/Examiner & Instructor Trainer
Bio to follow. 

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Mike Poe, EMT-E  Scuba Instructor/Course Director/Examiner & Instructor Trainer

After becoming certified in 1983 Mike immediately realized he wanted to capture this new world on film. After thousands of dives his passion for underwater photography has not diminished but has only been encouraged by advancements in photography and the experiences that come from observing life underwater.

An award winning photographer with images both in private and public collections Mike teaches our photography and fish identification courses along with Dive Medic, Rescue Diver, Nitrox, Dive Master, Assistant Instructor & Instructor classes. His international travels have taken him to the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Guanaja, Utila, Bonaire, Dominica, Cuba, Truk (now known as Chuuk), Philippines, Palau, Malaysia, and Indonesia including Borneo, Raja Ampat, Lembeh Straits, and West Papua. He holds certifications from SSI, PADI, IDEA, IANTD, TDI and PSDA.

A life long resident of the area, Mike is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has held positions in management, sales and safety in the transportation industry. His previous background includes time spent as Director of Safety for one of the largest trucking companies in the Nation. His knowledge of developing safety programs and working closely with insurance companies in assessing risk is just another assurance that ISC is dedicated to providing the safest learning environment possible for our clients.

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Dwain Rowe, EMT-B  Scuba Instructor  

A native of Jefferson CIty, TN, Dwain began diving in Cherokee Lake, a reservoir of the Tennessee Valley Authority system, in 1979. He holds certifications from NAUI, PADI, YMCA and IDEA. He earned the Divemaster rating in 1981 and began immediately assisting in SCUBA instruction and leading dive groups in the waters of the Florida Springs, Cayman Islands, Netherlands Antilles, the Florida Keys, and Puerto Rico.

Although continuing to work as the director of an emergency medical helicopter service, Dwain retired his paramedic license after more than 20 years of public service but has renewed his EMT license. It is nautral that he would teach the medical and first aid portions of many of our courses along with Nitrox and Rescue Diver.

Dwain has logged hundreds of dives and continues to enjoy working with new divers as well as diving with old friends.

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Chuck Milam   Scuba Instructor

Bio to follow.

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Nathan Mitchell   Scuba Instructor

Bio to follow.

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