Kamila Datema

I started diving in 1996 and since then I have logged over 500 dives, have over 3000 hours of underwater time, have my Advanced Open Water Instructor Rating, and I am a certified trimix diver with trimix wreck dives logged up to 200' of water.

When I first started diving I could barely put my face in the water and now I am one of the top rated female divers in the world. If I can overcome growing up in a Mid-Michigan City without water, I know that I can teach other's to dive safely and overcome those misplaced fears. You can do it! It took me several dives and every advanced class that I could get into before I found the love of diving and really felt comfortable in the water. Now I can't get enough underwater time.

I graduated from Hope College in 1997 with my Elementary Education degree in a Math/Science focus. It was a hard decision, teach Elementary kids or Travel around the world teaching diving? Teaching diving is definitely the most challenging career that I have experienced. It keeps you in shape, mind and body.

My favorite type of diving is, of course, Caribbean diving. There is so much to see, the water is clear and warm, and always with great company. It is a job:-). I am not sure where my favorite place to dive is, maybe in 10 years I will know. Each place is so different, the culture, the underwater life, and type of diving. However, we always have the best time where ever we dive.

During the Michigan summers I am involved in hunting for shipwrecks. I never was really excited about history, however when you find a virgin shipwreck, it is overwhelming with excitement. Searching for shipwrecks is not easy. It requires a lot of hard work (physical, mental, and financial). You are loading and unloading heavy pieces of expensive equipment and also trying to do calculus and physics at the same time. That is why finding an underwater museum is so satisfying.

If I can dive, then I know almost anyone can. Let me show you how!