Jim Riley, Instructor

Designer
Jim Riley, Instructor

Jim began diving in 1994 on a family trip to the Cayman Islands, and fell in love with the sport, but it wasn't until years later when he took a job in Los Angeles that he turned pro. Completing his Divemaster internship working the boats in California and eventually he became an Instructor shortly after moving back to NY.

Jim has dove all over the United States and Canada including the kelp forest at Catalina Island, with the Manta Rays in Hawaii, and wreck diving in North Carolina, the Florida Keys, San Diego and the St. Lawrence River.  His favorite diving location however was found during a trip to New Zealand to the Poor Knight Islands.  Jim boasts a photo of almost being bitten by a shark in an aquarium in Auckland (No shark cages allowed). If you ever want to get over a fear of sharks, try diving with them, or Jim!

Gear: Apek regulator, Aqualung BCD, Henderson Aqualock wetsuit

Diving Certifications:

PADI: Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, DiveMaster, Wreck Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Emergency Responder, Oxygen First Aid, Equipment Specialist, PADI Diving Society

Professional Certifications:

PADI: Open Water Scuba Instructor, Peak Performance Buoyancy Instructor, AWARE Instructor
DAN: Diving Emergency Management Provider (DEMP)
SSI: Open Water Instructor, Dive Control Specialist

 

Additional Info

Jim Riley, instructor: common questions

How did Jim Riley become a dive instructor?

Jim Riley began diving in 1994 on a family trip to the Cayman Islands. He turned pro after taking a job in Los Angeles, completed his Divemaster internship working the boats in California, and became an instructor shortly after moving back to New York.

What teaching credentials does Jim hold?

Jim is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, Peak Performance Buoyancy Instructor and AWARE Instructor, and an SSI Open Water Instructor and Dive Control Specialist. He also holds the DAN Diving Emergency Management Provider (DEMP) certification.

What are some places Jim has dived?

Jim has dived across the United States and Canada, including the kelp forest at Catalina Island, the manta rays in Hawaii, and wrecks in North Carolina, the Florida Keys, San Diego and the St. Lawrence River. His favorite dive location is the Poor Knights Islands in New Zealand.