About Us

The Institute of Diving Technology is a dive training facility, which transforms people’s life through the discovery of the underwater world. As a Florida based organization, IDT offers its’ various dive training programs throughout the Emerald Coast area, as well as the State of Florida.

   We are dedicated to raising diving instruction to the highest level of professionalism. We are s group of diving professionals, who want to train our divers so they have the highest quality diving knowledge and superior skills. Our focus is on quality, not quantity 

  We are committed to the idea that, regardless of level, learning to dive should be safe and enjoyable. Whether you are learning to dive for recreation or as a profession, you have the right to expect the very best instruction, conducted in a relaxed, non-threatening and fun-filled environment.

 We embraces PADI’s proven teaching methods and content, by enhancing learning with customized materials, personalized attention, real world dive knowledge and experience. It is a proven teaching approach and learning methodology, backed by Gene’s Certification of Training in Education and past career in public service.

  The trust and respect we have for our staff are mirrored in the trust and respect they have for one another. Each staff member understands that without their contribution, the highest level of success will never be attained.

 Gene is the only PADI Course Director that is dedicated full time to improving and expanding dive training for Recreational, Technical, Professional and Public Safety Diving level courses. We have developed a training concept called, “Experiential Training”, instructor role modeling through experience as the student in a specific course.

  The pride we take in our work is exhibited in every facet of IDT. Our services, products and people are second to none, and lead to the confidence and loyalty of our customers.

  Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Favorite Food: BBQ or Italian

Favorite Local Hangout: Anywhere there is water of course!

Favorite Dive Site: Galapagos Islands

Favorite Type of Diving: Working with a New Student!

Best Dive You’ve Ever Been On: After experiencing the Galapagos Islands a few years back, I would have to say they are my favorite! The diving was incredible, both cold and warm water. But the Marine life is what made the dives memorable. Sharks, Turtles, Penguins, Iguanas and so much more!!

If You Could Dive Anywhere in the World Where Would It Be? I so want to go to Antarctica! Yep, I know I am crazy! But the opportunity to dive with Penguins, Leopard Seals and near some fantastic ice formation, would be awesome! It is on my Bucket List!

Anything Else You Would Like to Add? As divers we are the Oceans Ambassadors. As such, it is our duty to inform those who do not dive, as to what is happening to our oceans. To quote someone famous: “People will only love what they understand!” So we need to ensure people understand what is happening to our oceans and what they can do to make them healthier.

As far as getting to know me, here are just a few highlights of my diving career so far:

- Bachelors of Arts Degree in Recreation Administration from Cal State Sacramento

- Certificate in Training and Human Development from UC Berkeley

- Involved in Law Enforcement since 1980

-Retired Police Officer – East Bay Regional Park District

-Diver for East Bay Regional Parks

-Former Deputy Sheriff, for both Tuolumne and Kern Counties

-Former Park Ranger, Kern County

-Retired Chief of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team

-TDI Technical Diving Instructor

-PSAI Technical Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer

-PADI Course Director (Instructor Trainer) since 1994

-Scuba Instructor since 1988 and have certified over 3500+ students

-Involved in Public Safety Diving since 1985

-Public Safety Diving Instructor Trainer

-PSD Trainer for several municipalities including San Francisco Police Department; San Francisco Fire Department; Napa County Sheriff's Dive Team; Solano County Sheriff's Dive Team; Alameda County Sheriff’s EOD Dive Team; Alameda County Sheriff’s Marine Unit/Dive Team; Contra Costa County Sheriff's Marine Unit/Dive Team; San Mateo County Sheriff’s Dive Team; Santa Clara County Sheriff's Dive Team; Los Gatos DART

-Designed, developed and implemented dive instruction program at Cal State University, Monterey Bay

-Retired Senior Instructor for the US Army Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey

-Owned and Operated Dive N Trips, a PADI 5 Star IDC Center for over 10 years

-Developed strategic partnerships with other PADI IDC Centers throughout the State of California

-Developed and implemented Instructor training programs for various IDC Centers in California

-Technical Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer

  Hometown: Moorestown, NJ

Favorite Food: Chinese and anything with Ranch on it!!

Favorite Local Hangout: Anywhere my Grandkids are!

Favorite Dive Site: Cozumel, Shore Diving, Lots of critters

Favorite Type of Diving: Drift Diving (in Cozumel)

Best Dive You’ve Ever Been On: Tahoe, my high altitude class, crystal clear water, cold, but clear.

If You Could Dive Anywhere in the World Where Would It Be? The Red Sea, on my bucket list

Anything Else You Would Like to Add? Diving and even Snorkeling is like nothing else on earth. The topic on everyone list now-a-days is the economy, it’s up, it’s down, never seems to be where you want it. But one thing never changes, the need for friendships. Through diving I have met A LOT of people. Some come and go, some stay, but in all instances, they are really good people. They want to have a little fun, with family and friends doing something they really enjoy. It could be snorkeling, scuba diving, photography, a little wine tasting, watch a movie, tell a story or listen to one and don’t forget EATING!. We have been so blessed to have it all! As I said the economy has affected all of us in one way or another but, please never forget your friendships. Come share a story, a picture, or tell us where you’ve been lately! This is a personal invitation to join me on our many adventures! We need to keep on Imagining the Possibilities!

Hometown: Dublin, CA

Favorite Food: Chicken Fettuccine

Favor Local Hangout: Hiking Trails

Favorite Dive Site: Each site has something different to offer, so I don't have a favorite.

Favorite Type of Diving: All of it!

Best Dive You've Ever Been On: Yet to be discovered as I have yet to dive everywhere!

If You Could Dive Anywhere in the World, Where Would It Be? Italy

 Hometown:  Ft Lewis, Tacoma, WA (Or the USA anyway, Military Brat)

Favorite Food: SEEfood! 

Favorite Local Hangout: Wherever food, and dive buddies, friends, family are

Favorite Dive Site: One I haven’t been to! (Repetition becomes boring)

Favorite Type of Diving: High Viz Diving (Like to see things)

Best Dive You’ve Ever Been On:  Isle of Margarita, Venezuela

If You Could Dive Anywhere in the World Where Would It Be?  Australia, or any coast line/reef

Anything Else You Would Like to Add?  I do enjoy helping others, whether educating, or working emergencies, or conducting public safety diving…Just like being underwater using my gills…Let’s Dive!

Hometown:  Eveleth, MN (Home of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame)

Favorite Food: Fried

Favorite Local Hangout: The Water

Favorite Dive Site: Hawaii

Favorite Type of Diving: Wreck/Deep

Best Dive You’ve Ever Been On:  Molokini Back Wall, Maui

If You Could Dive Anywhere in the World Where Would It Be? Anywhere Caribbean

Anything Else You Would Like to Add?  Don’t be afraid of the unknown and don’t let opportunities pass you by you never know the outcome!

Hometown: Abilene, TX

Favorite Food: Mexican food

Favorite Local Hangout: Calahans

Favorite Dive Site: Any where underwater

Favorite Type of Diving: Shipwrecks

Best Dive You’ve Ever Been On: in Hawaii when I got to dive with dolphins

If You Could Dive Anywhere in the World Where Would It Be? Somewhere i haven't dove yet 

Anything Else You Would Like to Add? I enjoy diving because it is my happy place, my place of peace and calming and I want to share my happy place with everyone.