Jim Vafeas is one of the Staff Instructors here at Tiedemann's Diving Center, but since he doesn't work in the shop, you may not know him as well as you do the rest of us. Here's some background information on Jim V:
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Jim Vafeas started diving in the Fall of 1986 by taking a Physical Education course elective taught by Jeanne and Ed Tiedemann while attending Hofstra University. He completed his NAUI Open Water Certification dives in November and December in Noyak, Long Island in preparation for the annual Central Florida trip in January 1987. In 1987, Jim completed his Advanced Certification and did mostly local Wreck Diving through the early 1990's. Some of those great beginner wrecks included the Black Warrior, Pipe Barge, Mistletoe, Valerie E., Fran S. and Iberia. In 1994, after interviewing several local diveshops about their Instructor programs, Jim entered the DiveCon and Assistant Instructor program here at Tiedemann's. In 1995 Jim began his Scuba Equipment Repair Technician apprenticeship program through Tiedemann's which would be completed in late 1996 through a 5-day certification course taught at Hall's Diving Center in Marathon, Florida. Jim became our main Repair Tech through 1997. In January 1996, Jim earned his NSS/CDS Cavern and Introduction to Cave Diver certifications as well as becoming Nitrox certified. In the Fall he also completed a PSI Cylinder Inspection course In August 1996, Jim completed an Instructor Prepatory weekend with Lifeguard Systems who later certified him as a NAUI Instructor during their NAUI ITC in Bonaire that December. At that time, Tiedemann's was not yet an SSI Instructor Trainer facility. Besides Jeanne and Ed, he is the longest active staff instructor at Tiedemann's. In 1997, Jim became our resident TDI Nitrox Instructor and established the most thorough Recreational Nitrox course on Long Island. In 1999, Jim started the East Coast Dive Tour, weekend trips to not-too-distant locations to explore other shore and wreck diving opportunities. In 2001, Jim completed his TDI Advanced Nitrox certification (a course soon to be offer here at Tiedemann's). In the Summer of 2004, Jim earned his TDI Advanced Nitrox and TDI Decompression Procedures Instructor certifications. We will be offering these new Technical courses starting next Spring. In 2006, Jim participated in the Michael J. Norwood Memorial Fund dive where he dove with Deep Sea Detective hosts John Chatterton and Richie Kohler.
In July of 2006, Jim completed his 500th successful dive on the wreck of the U-352 of Morehead City, North Carolina. Jim also covers several topics during our Master Diver Lecture Series. He also maintains our website and coordinates the mailing of the Monthly eNews. Jim lists his Wreck Diving schedule which is open to all Club Members. Feel free to join him on any of them. Jim dives primarily with Poseidon and Oceanic regulators, Faber tanks, OMS Backplates, Dive Rite bladders, OS Systems and Harvey's drysuits, Dive Rite and Suunto dive computers, OMS bottom timer and a ProWatt/Sartek dive lights. Jim can be contacted via email at jimv(at)tdconline.com. |
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