Ken has been diving since 1998 and received his first instructor rating from SSI (Scuba Schools International) in 2003. In 2005, Ken became an SSI Advanced Open Water Instructor and in 2007, Ken joined the ranks of the PSAI (Professional Scuba Association International).
Ken enjoys diving and teaching diving. He works full time in the diving business as owner of KB Diver Services and is co-owner of the Off The Wall Scuba, Inc. His many years and dive experiences are always shared in his classroom presentations.
Ken has dove around the world, including Australia, Honduras, Micronesia (Truk), Belize and his favorite, North Carolina. He has a special interest in underwater videography, he has produced several DVD's of his experiences which can be found in our store and online catalog.
PSAI Advanced Instructor #541
SDI Instructor #12595
SSI Advanced Open Water Instructor #13943
You may email us using this Form (Select Ken from the Drop Down menu)
Michelle Barrick - Dive Master
Director of Medical Training
Michelle holds a rating as a SSI (Scuba Schools International) Dive Control Specialist, and PSAI (Professional Scuba Association International) Dive Master. She enjoys diving all around the world. She has splashed down in Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Australia, Micronesia, the Bahamas and more.
Ever since he saw his first Sea Hunt episode and Jacques Cousteau Special as a youngster, David Apple has been fascinated with the underwater world. As a diver for over 15 years, he found he wanted to share his excitement and love of SCUBA Diving with others.
As a professional educator, David’s personal philosophies are, “Never Stop Learning!” and learn as much as you can. Experience is a great teacher, but also ask questions from those who are more experienced!
David’s favorite diving activities include diving on and exploring the historic shipwrecks of the Mid-Atlantic, and photographing the beautiful tropical reefs and fish of the Florida Keys and Caribbean, from the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands to Cozumel and Honduras.
David, originally trained by SSI (Scuba Schools International) where he worked his way up to attaining the rating of Dive Control Specialist Instructor, has recently joined the growing number of Scuba Diving instructors to join PSAI where he currently holds the rating of Master Instructor.
When not exploring our underwater world and teaching classes with Off The Wall Scuba, you can find David teaching instrumental music at the middle school level in the Howard County Public Schools, or playing his trumpet with various groups in the Baltimore Area
PSAI Master Instructor #582
SDI Instructor #12696
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor #10455
Phil DePalo - Instructor
Phil began his diving adventures in 1995 and while travelling around the globe as a Comedy Entertainer, he has encountered a wide variety of diving experiences. As a volunteer in the Baltimore County Fire Department, he has trained as a paramedic, fire officer and rescue technician. He first joined the ranks of Scuba Instructor with PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors.)
Recently he crossed over as an SDI (Scuba Diving International,) and ERDI (Emergency Response Diving International) instructor. In addition to his certifications in the fire department and scuba diving world, Phil also has a BS from UMBC and an MS from Towson with both degrees in the Information Systems Management field. His interests lead him to pursue a doctorate in Health Care Information Systems.
Phil's extreme hobbies include more than just scuba diving. He is a licensed skydiver and also enjoys jet skiing, horse back riding, rock climbing, skiing, sword swallowing, fire eating and more. Phil invites you to join him on his many adventures.
SDI Instructor #12672
ERDI Instructor #12672
PADI 234756
Dori Phillips - Rec, Tec and Rebreather Instructor
One of the leading dive advocates on the Mid-Atlantic coast, Dori believes you are never "too anything" to learn to dive. It's about the adventure, whatever you want to make it! Teaching all ages from Snorkeling and Beginners to Trimix and Rebreathers, the main focus is always on thinking it
through. Involve all the senses, make it your own and play well with others. Our planet is too small not to enjoy the liquid portion and protect it for the generations to come.
Favorite dive; Little River Cave in high flow.
Favorite snorkel spot; Antarctica
Favorite CCR; Optima
Instructor Certifications; SDI, TDI, IANTD, PADI, NAUI
(OW, CPR, Photo, Wreck, Cavern, Solo, CCR, Deco, Trimix & Instructor
development)
Barclay Olson - Dive Master
Barclay became a PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) open water diver in 1995. He received many SSI (Scuba Schools International) specialty courses and in the spring 2004 became an SSI Dive Control Specialist. He has also been certified as a PADI and PSAI (Professional Scuba Association International) Dive Master.
Barclay enjoys diving in all types of conditions, from the black water of the Copper River, Cold water of the Great Lakes to the beautiful water of the Caribbean. He practices technical diving and dive theory. Barclay has a healthy respect of wreck diving and it is truly his forte. His favorite place to dive wreck is in the great lakes because the fresh water preserves the older wooden wrecks for a very long time. There is nothing like coming around the corner and looking up to a fully intact bow of a schooner that sank over 100 years ago. The experience is truly Ghostly!
PSAI DM #554
John Clark - Dive Master
In the 1990s the Discovery Channel introduced John to an exciting alien world just a few hours from where he lives - the ocean depths. While on a cruise with his wife, John took the opportunity to investigate that alien world and joined a "try scuba" side trip from Coki Beach on St. Thomas. Within the first minute of breathing underwater John realized he found a new passion.
John was certified as an open water diver in the summer of 2001. He took every opportunity to dive at the local quarries to advance his skills. It did not take long for John to realize he loved diving so much he wanted to share it with the world. In 2003 John became an SSI Dive Control Specialist and assistant instructor/divemaster and enjoyed helping others to become proficient open water divers.
John crossed over to the Professional Scuba Association International as a Divemaster. While assisting with the instruction of open water diving, John plans on continuing his professional education to become a fully certified open water instructor.
PSAI DM-585
Richard Hoska - Dive Master
Divemaster, tank sherpa, wreck & cave diver, Richard is up for anything that involved getting wet and blowing bubbles. Ok, and he likes the drysuit with a rebreather upon occasion too - so expand that definition. Often found in a local quarry, off shore North Carolina or heading to the cave world of
North Florida, Richard has logged more dives in 2 years that most have in decades.
Favorite dive; The Mighty "O"
Favorite snorkel spot; bathtub
Certifications; PADI & SDI Divemaster, NSS Cave, TDI CCR, and a host of
other poker chips.
