Six New Open Water Scuba Diver Instructors Certified with LifeWaters!

​LifeWaters is proud to announce that six dedicated instructor candidates have officially become Open Water Scuba Diver Instructors! After a year of hard work and preparation, the group completed their Instructor Development Course (IDC)  and Instructor Exam (IE) this past August in the beautiful waters of Jupiter, Florida, with the invaluable support of Jupiter Dive Center and LifeWaters staff.

The six newly certified instructors are:

• Greg Patterson
• Rachel Zimmerman
• Jessica DeLong
• John Imhof
• Hayden Bray
• Shannon Dougherty

These passionate divers are now fully equipped to teach and inspire new generations of divers. Their commitment to learning, safety, and inclusivity will enhance LifeWaters’ mission to make scuba diving accessible for all.

The journey to becoming a certified scuba instructor isn’t easy. These six individuals dedicated countless hours to perfecting their skills, mastering safety protocols, and learning how to teach others with professionalism and care. Their final IDC and IE in Florida was both challenging and rewarding, marked by unforgettable dives and hands-on training with expert guidance from LifeWaters staff. Now, as instructors, they will contribute to LifeWaters' programs, helping Veterans, First Responders, and Civilians with disabilities discover the freedom and adventure that scuba diving offers.

LifeWaters is a nonprofit organization that brings adaptive scuba diving opportunities to Veterans, First Responders, and individuals with disabilities. For over a decade, we’ve provided training, support, and camaraderie through the SDI Scubility Program. LifeWaters classifies divers as DB1, DB2, or DB3 based on how many dive buddies they require, ensuring that every diver receives the care and guidance they need to thrive underwater.

Through adaptive scuba diving, we foster healing, connection, and adventure for those who need it most. We partner with the Veterans Administration (VA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and other organizations to offer meaningful experiences to those we serve. LifeWaters relies on donations, grants, and volunteers to sustain our programs and grow our community.

Whether you're interested in becoming a diver, instructor, or volunteer, there are many ways to get involved with LifeWaters.

• Become a Diver: We offer adaptive scuba certifications and training programs for people with disabilities.
• Volunteer as a Dive Buddy: Help divers safely explore underwater environments while building lasting friendships.
• Donate: Your contributions help us fund training, travel, equipment, and more to keep our programs running strong.
• Become an Instructor: Follow in the footsteps of Greg, Rachel, Jessica, John, Hayden, and Shannon by completing instructor training and giving back to the community.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the LifeWaters mission or join one of our programs, visit our website at www.lifewaters.org or contact us directly at [email protected]  for more information. Together, we can continue transforming lives, one dive at a time.

Congratulations again to our newest Open Water Scuba Diver Instructors! Your dedication and passion will undoubtedly make waves in the lives of those you teach. Here's to new adventures and deeper connections in the water!