I just returned from 6 days of diving with Richie. I took his CCR Evolution Air Diluent course in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Nov. 29 - 4 Dec 2008. I can honestly say it was the best decision I have ever made.
When choosing an instructor for CCR I did not want to hire the local pro, or the recommended regional instructor. I wanted to be sure to get someone who actually dove the unit in all conditions and all depths, and whose experiences will allow him to train me for real-world situations. I also wanted an instructor who I could grow with for each step of my rebreather and wreck exploration training. Obviously there are few divers in the world with a resume equal to Richie's.
I found Richie's training style to be perfect for me. He instructed the course material in a fun and interesting way. The long days didn't feel quite as long and class did not feel like class, but rather more like a group of friends getting together and diving. I learned a lot and had a good time. It was a lot of fun!
I would be happy to answer any questions anyone has about my experiences training with Richie.
I will close by saying I have found my instructor for technical diving courses for the foreseeable future. Thank you Richie for your patience and your professionalism, as well as your friendship.
~Dan Lienert
Newest member of the Kohler Nation