SDI Instructor Trainer, PADI Master Instructor
Diving professionally since 2004, all I can say is that I wish I did it sooner. The underwater world is something that can’t be described in mere words. It’s something that has to be experienced first-hand. From the moment of my very first underwater breaths, I knew I was hooked.
I enjoy local dive spots, as well as traveling to exotic dive destinations such as, Cozumel, Bonaire, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands, Belize, Honduras and Hawaii. My passion for diving has led me to capture this mind-blowing underwater world through underwater photography and videography. Please take a look at our Gallery for some of my favorites.
As an SDI Instructor Trainer and PADI Master Instructor, I teach courses from the initial Scuba Discovery up through the professional level courses of Divemaster, Assistant Instructor and Open Water Scuba Instructor. I also conduct crossovers from other training agencies to SDI, TDI and ERDI, all in-house.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than the things you did do! Dream, Discover, DESCEND
SDI, Instructor
PADI, IDC Staff Instructor
Fernando has an extensive background in the professional ranks of scuba, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to each student he teaches as an SDI and PADI IDC Staff Instructor at Crystal Blue Diving. Upon obtaining his Dive Master certification in 2001, Fernando worked at Cebu Explorer on Cebu Island in the Philippines and was responsible for guiding certified divers on scuba tours and overseeing boat operations, schedules and logistics. In 2004 he became a Dive Instructor and began training and certifying Open Water, Advanced, Rescue and Dive Master students at Sea Explorer on Siquijor Island in the Philippines. From there, Fernando became the owner and Operator of the dive shop Siquijor Dive Safari from 2005-2010. It was there that he became a First Response Instructor and added Specialty Instructor responsibilities to begin training and certifying Underwater Photography, Navigation and Night Dive students.
In addition to his many scuba accomplishments, Fernando works a Care Manager for a senior living facility and enjoys many hobbies which include coordinating sports activities for youth and senior citizens, coaching adult basketball, cooking and running marathons and triathlons.
SDI, TDI Instructor Trainer
SDI, ERDI Instructor
Professional Certifications
SDI Open Water Instructor – 2002
SDI Public Safety Dive Instructor – 2002
TDI Instructor – 2002
ERDI Instructor – 2005
SDI Elite Instructor - 2017
I grew up on the chain of lakes and always enjoyed being on or in the water. I didn’t start diving until later in life, getting Open Water and Advanced Open Water certified in 1993. I joined the Lake Villa Fire Department as a Paid on Call FF in 1994 and immediately joined the dive team. I was an active FF and Public Safety Diver for 25 years, retiring in 2019. For most of those years I was the team leader and also served for a short time on the executive board for the Lake County SRT Dive Team. Not being happy with the initial training my new divers were receiving, I became a SDI Instructor in 2002. Initially I was teaching a SDI Public Safety Diver Specialty Course that I developed before becoming an ERDI Instructor in 2005.
The majority of my teaching is now focused on new divers for Fire and Law Enforcement teams. I have certified Open Water and ERDI divers for 33 different Fire and Law Enforcement teams. To date I have issued more than 700 ERDI certifications including ERD I, ERD II, Full Face Mask, Drysuit, Nigh Ops, Ice Diving, Surface Supplied Air, Tender and Contaminated Water.
I have a fairly extensive background in Technical Diving having completed 200+ decompression dives on the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. A lot of my teaching methods and philosophies come from these experiences. Although I have TDI Instructor ratings in Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures, I am no longer actively teach these courses.
SDI OWSI/TDI Instructor/FRTI Instructor
I always wanted to be a diver. Growing up going to the Jersey Shore, playing in the waves and watching Jacques Cousteau reruns made me curious about the underwater world. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn until I was nearly 40! Since becoming an Open Water Scuba diver, I have met friends around the world, dove in far out and wild, remote places of the world (example: Sardine Run on the Wild Coast of South Africa). I love wreck diving in the Great Lakes and in New Jersey, exploring our unique treasures just offshore. I also love exploring the cave systems of Florida and Mexico.
As a DIR diver and proud member of the Midwest Underwater Explorers (local GUE community), I am passionate about teaching students excellent fundamentals with the “end in mind” - and my vision is getting more divers in Lake Michigan diving our pristine wrecks. I also really love my new Divesoft Liberty rebreather.
I teach the following classes:
Night & Limited Viz
Shore & Beach
Equipment Specialist
Advanced Buoyancy
Underwater Pumpkin Carving
Dry Suit
Boat
Wreck
Deep
Computer Nitrox
Underwater Hunter/Collector
Computer Diver
Snorkeling
FRTI
Adult, Child, Infant Emergency Care
Bloodborne Pathogens
Oxygen Administration
PFI
Basic Freediver (I am not planning on teaching this in 2024)
TDI
Intro to Tech (I am not planning on teaching this in 2024)
Nitrox
SDI & PADI OWSI Instructor
I started diving when I was 18 and fell in love with diving. I love the challenge and adventure of all aspects of diving. I’ve been able to dive in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Great Lakes and many of the local dive spots in the Midwest. I enjoy teaching, working and meeting new people and sharing my enthusiasm for diving with them.
PADI OWSI Instructor
I became an open water scuba diver in 2005. My first trip was to Cozumel, which was the first time I had ever been out of the United States, on an airplane, and seeing the ocean. My first ocean dive was like experiencing a different world. There was so much color and aquatic life, it was so peaceful and relaxing. Instantly, I knew I wanted to be underwater as much as possible and I went on to become a PADI Instructor in 2007. Scuba diving has allowed me to travel all over the world and meet some great people along the way. It truly is a life changing experience!
SDI, PADI Assistant Instructor
I have been diving since I was 13 and became a Divemaster in 2009. I love to share my passion for diving with new students. I enjoy both local and Caribbean diving and I love to capture the underwater world through photography. Lanie's passion and enthusiasm for diving and teaching is truly contagious!
SDI, Open Water Instructor Candidate
PADI, Divemaster
PADI Divemaster
I started diving in 2008 and was instantly hooked being under the water. In 2013, I obtained my Rescue Diver & Divemaster certifications and have been involved in training, teaching and guiding students ever since. I have certifications in Nitrox, CPR/AED, 1st Responder First Aid and O2 Administration.
In the water I enjoy the reefs, wreck diving and the abundant sea life which never ceases to amaze me. I have been diving in Bonaire, the Philippine Islands, Turks & Caicos, Belize, The Bahamas (via the Aggressor boats), the Florida Keys, Roatan, Cayman Islands, Cozumel and the Cenotes in the Mexican Riviera. Work is just a means to support my habit of being in the water.
See you in the water!
Marketing Manager
SDI Divemaster
I completed my Open Water certification with my husband in 2012 prior to our honeymoon in Mexico. Once I dove in the Caribbean I knew I wanted to do it more! I went on to complete my Advanced Open Water in 2014 while on one of the group trips to Cozumel. Most recently, I completed my Rescue Diver course in 2023 followed by obtaining my Divemaster certification in 2024. I most enjoy diving on group trips in tropical locations while meeting new people and making new connections in the dive community! I love that I get to learn something new with each dive and each conversation. I look forward to continuing my dive journey and sharing my knowledge and experience with new divers!
Office Manager, VP of Morale
Advanced Open Water Diver
