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Thank you Billy for your post-aka @dead dog - I almost missed it -- thought the thread was dead
Actually my correct NAUI instructor number is A-27. "A" as in Apple but in this case "A" as in Associate.
FYI a little history ...
NAUI came to life via the late great Neil Hess LA Co Underwater Instructor, also brother of Captain Roger Hess, who had a dedicated column in the 1950s Skin Diver magazine (SDM) titled "American Diving Patrol." In the column he repeatedly suggested that a national SCUBA diving organization be established
In the late 1950s Hess relinquished the column and departed for to a eastern Ivy league school for his Ph.D.(aka Doctorate) in electrical engineering, where tragically he passed on to the big reef in the sky.
This left a huge void which was filled by the very capable the late Albert Tillman, who just happened to be working on his Ph.D in Physical education (Al and his older brother Don, also a diver of note both had doctorates in physical education.)
Al was also a world class organizer. He assumed Neil's column and through it and the Underwater Society of America (USA) organized and presented the first NAUI course in Huston Texas in association with the USA convention in August 1960.
The course was based on the very demanding LA County course, which was extremely difficult for so many in that first NAUI course. All were listed as graduating but many were graduated as "Provisionals" and after the course never completed the requirements for full NAUI instructor never to teach a NAUI course and faded away into diver obscurity
Al and others in the fledgling organization recognized they needed knowledgeable experienced instructors with proven abilities to shore up NAUI. Thus was born the Associate NAUI Instructor
To became an Associate first you had to be very active and visible in the diving instruction community and then recommended by some one of equal or greater status. At that time I was working as a CDO/DSO on Andy Rechnitzer's DDS program who recommended me (FYI google Andy Rechnitzer)
I took my time filled out the application sent it off to Zale Parry, who is NAUI A-1 and received the number A-27. In the year the program was in place only a few were honored with an A number. Very prestigious and some what an intimidation in the NAUI community.
At the NAUI huge anniversary party in Jacksonville, Florida it was discovered only a few Associates were still alive.. We unilaterally decided , after the passage all these years to drop the A prefix to avoid questions such as yours.
My I suggest that you secure and read two articles in NAUI Sources Magazine. The present quarterly edition has a full page article about your basic LA Co/NAUI instructor Harry Vetter, NAUI instructor #4 which you will note after reading it that I provided the information.
The previous edition had a two page lay out on the Associates and just some of their many contributions to recreational diving and NAUI. Only six was featured, most were in the big reef. Spence Campbell and I were the only ones still up right and active.
Yes I also have the book. Al sent me a copy just after publication. Mine is not autographed but inscribed by Al & Zale. As you possibly know here is a huge difference between signed and inscribed in the bibliophile world Al and I discussed a number of facts during the books preparation and I am mentioned two times in the book as I recall
You have been active in SoCal diving for many years but I have moved to CenCal and lost track of you and your accomplishments and contributions , Did you ever advance above basic diver,? publish an article?, be featured in books? received any diving honors ? Just what were your accomplishments ?
The lovey warm CenCal sun is up and my dog Lucky wants to go for a walk
Ta Ta for Now
Dr. Samuel Miller,111
.
Actually my correct NAUI instructor number is A-27. "A" as in Apple but in this case "A" as in Associate.
FYI a little history ...
NAUI came to life via the late great Neil Hess LA Co Underwater Instructor, also brother of Captain Roger Hess, who had a dedicated column in the 1950s Skin Diver magazine (SDM) titled "American Diving Patrol." In the column he repeatedly suggested that a national SCUBA diving organization be established
In the late 1950s Hess relinquished the column and departed for to a eastern Ivy league school for his Ph.D.(aka Doctorate) in electrical engineering, where tragically he passed on to the big reef in the sky.
This left a huge void which was filled by the very capable the late Albert Tillman, who just happened to be working on his Ph.D in Physical education (Al and his older brother Don, also a diver of note both had doctorates in physical education.)
Al was also a world class organizer. He assumed Neil's column and through it and the Underwater Society of America (USA) organized and presented the first NAUI course in Huston Texas in association with the USA convention in August 1960.
The course was based on the very demanding LA County course, which was extremely difficult for so many in that first NAUI course. All were listed as graduating but many were graduated as "Provisionals" and after the course never completed the requirements for full NAUI instructor never to teach a NAUI course and faded away into diver obscurity
Al and others in the fledgling organization recognized they needed knowledgeable experienced instructors with proven abilities to shore up NAUI. Thus was born the Associate NAUI Instructor
To became an Associate first you had to be very active and visible in the diving instruction community and then recommended by some one of equal or greater status. At that time I was working as a CDO/DSO on Andy Rechnitzer's DDS program who recommended me (FYI google Andy Rechnitzer)
I took my time filled out the application sent it off to Zale Parry, who is NAUI A-1 and received the number A-27. In the year the program was in place only a few were honored with an A number. Very prestigious and some what an intimidation in the NAUI community.
At the NAUI huge anniversary party in Jacksonville, Florida it was discovered only a few Associates were still alive.. We unilaterally decided , after the passage all these years to drop the A prefix to avoid questions such as yours.
My I suggest that you secure and read two articles in NAUI Sources Magazine. The present quarterly edition has a full page article about your basic LA Co/NAUI instructor Harry Vetter, NAUI instructor #4 which you will note after reading it that I provided the information.
The previous edition had a two page lay out on the Associates and just some of their many contributions to recreational diving and NAUI. Only six was featured, most were in the big reef. Spence Campbell and I were the only ones still up right and active.
Yes I also have the book. Al sent me a copy just after publication. Mine is not autographed but inscribed by Al & Zale. As you possibly know here is a huge difference between signed and inscribed in the bibliophile world Al and I discussed a number of facts during the books preparation and I am mentioned two times in the book as I recall
You have been active in SoCal diving for many years but I have moved to CenCal and lost track of you and your accomplishments and contributions , Did you ever advance above basic diver,? publish an article?, be featured in books? received any diving honors ? Just what were your accomplishments ?
The lovey warm CenCal sun is up and my dog Lucky wants to go for a walk
Ta Ta for Now
Dr. Samuel Miller,111
.
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