About the Instructor / Owner

G’day mate!

My name is Theron (Steve) Akin, and I am an American / Australian. I began scuba diving in 1989, and over the decades, it has grown from a passion into a lifelong profession. Diving has taken me into a wide range of environments and conditions, shaping a calm, methodical approach grounded in preparation, discipline, and respect for the underwater world. For me, diving is more than recreation—it is a responsibility that demands skill, awareness, and sound judgment.

In 2017, I earned my certification as a NAUI Instructor, building on years of hands-on experience to train and lead divers professionally. In addition to recreational instruction, I am a Public Safety Diver and Public Safety Diving (PSD) Instructor, trained to operate and teach in high-risk, low-visibility, and task-loaded environments where teamwork and risk management are critical.

My teaching philosophy is straightforward and experience-driven. I focus on strong fundamentals, equipment proficiency, situational awareness, and decision-making under real-world conditions. I believe divers should understand why they perform each skill—not simply follow steps—so they can adapt confidently when conditions change.

Whether I am working with new recreational divers, experienced divers refining their skills, or public safety personnel preparing for operational dives, I tailor instruction to the individual or team. Training is practical, realistic, and designed to build confidence that carries beyond the classroom or pool session.

After decades underwater, I have seen equipment and techniques evolve, but the fundamentals remain constant: proper planning, buoyancy control, communication, and disciplined execution. These principles guide every dive I plan, teach, or lead.

My goal is simple—to develop safer, more capable, and more confident divers who can enjoy and respect the underwater environment for years to come.

Diving since 1989 · NAUI Instructor since 2017 · Public Safety Diver · PSD Instructor