PSAI Info


Technical Diving of New York

	Home COURSES Basic Nitrox Technical EAN Helitrox Decompression Tech Trimix Diver PSAI Courses Course Prices INFORMATION NTEC RGBM Photos Local Diving Email mastertrimix@mac.com Telephone 718 384 1280	PSAI Information
		WHEN: By appointment LOCATION: Classes are held in Manhattan or at Stingray Divers-Brooklyn; Open water location is at Forty Fathoms Grotto-Ocala FL. PSAI COURSES OFFERED Advanced Nitrox Deep Air and Decompression Procedures (Taught in Levels) Trimix Diver PSAI HISTORY The professional Scuba Association International (PSA) is one of the oldest scuba instructional training agencies in the world. For many years it was a small, specialized organization that was predominately involved with dive training associated with extended range, deep air diving. Virtually all of the early history centers on the founder, Hal Watts. The professional Scuba Association International (PSA) was originally founded as the Florida Scuba Association in 1962 by Hal Watts in Orlando, Florida. Hal's experience with scuba began in 1955 while he was attending John Marshall University, earning a Master's degree in Law. During the 1960's Hal became devoted to extended range diving and developing proven, effective diving techniques for dives to depths greater than the normal recreational range of 130 feet. In 1968, using the methods he developed, Hal set the World's Record Depth by diving to 390 feet. In 1970, Hal wrote and copyrighted the first manual for Extended Range Deep Diving for instructors. Hal Watts formed a specialty diving club known as the "Forty Fathom Scubapros" that was very active diving all over Florida, especially at a spectacular sink hole, that just happened to be 40 fathoms (240 feet). Hal still holds the record for a deep air dive in a cave at 415 feet. Widely respected for business and marketing Hal, also known as "Mr. Scuba", has been recognized as the Diver of the year by Beneath the Sea, testified before the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a host of other accolades and experiences. Little known facts include that he developed and coined the term "octopus" for the additional second stage, to eliminate problems associated with buddy breathing". In the "old days" buddy breathing meant sharing one mouthpiece, not like today's world of simply passing the "octopus"! Another contribution to safety awareness is his devotion to dive planning. The phrase "PLAN YOUR DIVE-DIVE YOUR PLAN" came form Hal's early PSA desire to promote safe diving activities.