About Your Instructor

Here is what North Florida Cave and Technical Divers instructor Johnny Richards has to say about himself.

“Since my original certification in 1970, I have been fascinated by the underwater world. I have had the privilege of diving many different environments from Texas lakes to the Andrea Doria, and a variety of locations around the world.

“From the time of my first introduction to the world of underwater caves in 1987, I was captivated by the beauty and challenge of diving this environment. As I began to pursue scuba instruction in 1986, I realized the satisfaction of passing along my interest to others. This interest remains very much alive today and is a primary reason for my decision to make scuba instruction a full-time career.”

Johnny’s Resume

Education

Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in Political Science
University of Texas at Austin
May, 1977
Juris Doctor
Saint Mary's Law School
San Antonio, Texas
December, 1979

Career History

President of a private practice professional corporation law firm
June, 1980- February, 2000
Scuba Divemaster and Instructor (Open Water to Assistant Instructor and Nitrox)
Scuba Sphere, Fort Worth, Texas
June, 1986- May, 1997
Independent Scuba Instructor (Open Water to Assistant Instructor and Nitrox)
Fort Worth, Texas
May, 1997- February, 2000
Independent Instructor (Open Water to Intro to Cave and Technical)
High Springs, Florida
August, 2001 to October, 2001
Staff Instructor, Ginnie Springs Outdoors
High Springs, Florida
October, 2001 to present
Independent Instructor (Apprentice Cave Dive, Full Cave Diver, Stage and DPV Specialties and Nitrox through Extended Range)
High Springs, Florida
November, 2002 to present

Dive Qualifications

June 25, 1970- Open Water certified through PADI, SCIP and NASDS.
Numerous Open water specialty courses and dives from time of certification until I began to pursue Divemaster training through Scuba Sphere, NE in June, 1986.
PADI Open Water Instructor, IDC Staff Instructor and Master Instructor (M25965)
June, 1988- June, 1990.
Cavern, Basic Cave and Full Cave Diver through NSS-CDS, NACD (#1172) and CMAS
September, 1987- July, 1991
NAUI Cave Diver
September, 1987
PADI Cavern Instructor
September, 1988
Basic Cave Surveyor Specialty
December, 1991
(Cave) Recovery Specialty
December, 1991
IANTD Nitrox, Technical Nitrox and Trimix Diver
May, 1992- September, 1993
TDI/IANTD Nitrox and Advanced Nitrox Instructor
September, 1995- April, 1996
NSS-CDS Cavern/Intro Instructor
August, 2001
NSS-CDS Full Cave Instructor
November, 2002
NACD Cavern through Full Cave Instructor
December, 2002
TDI Decompression Procedures through Advanced Trimix Instructor
April, 2003- December, 2003
IANTD Technical Diver and Normoxic Trimix Instructor
April, 2003- January, 2004
Abe Davis and Wakulla Gold Awards
Henry Nicholson Cave Diving Award
International Safety Award
Co-Author, NACD Cavern/Cave Student Workbook
David Desautels Conservation Award
NACD Exemplary Service Award
NACD Instructor of the Year, 2008
Full Guide for Diepolder II and III