Athens Review, Athens, Texas - Diver makes sport pay

Mon, May 12 2008

Published: March 13, 2006 04:17 pm

Diver makes sport pay

By Ashley Sanders
PORT ARTHUR NEWS (PORT ARTHUR, Texas)

NEDERLAND, Texas — If he had fins and gills Mark DeVillier would most likely never leave the water.

As is and sans the underwater appendages, the scuba instructor is allotted a vast amount of time under the surface of the water.

“My dad got me started scuba diving as a child,” DeVillier said. “It was my father’s hobby and it kind of turned into my career.”

For the past 12 years, DeVillier has dedicated his time to teaching those green to the sea how to dive underwater.

“Our first night is pretty much a lot of paper work and watching a risk awareness video,” DeVillier said while preparing lessons for his newest students at the Texas Diver’s Den. “Students have to read a six-chapter diving book, take classes for about three hours a night for three to four lessons and perform pool work.”

DeVillier said he and all his co-workers at the Diver’s Den make safety priority one.

“We want everyone to be comfortable in the water,” he said. “Following completion of the course we go out to a lake and do checkout dives. We make everyone perform all their skills in the water just to make sure they could dive on their own.”

While people do dive without certification, DeVillier said he recommends the course to anyone interested in venturing into the dark waters unskilled.

“It is a real good idea to be certified,” he said. “We care about safety here. We won’t even rent anyone gear who cannot show a certification card.”

Although a very serious position - educating people on water safety - DeVillier said he has been blessed with a career that affords him a bird’s eye view of underwater life that most have never seen.

“There is just so much down there to explore,” he said. “It is such a great experience to interact with the wildlife. It is incredible to swim with a big school of fish or dolphins or turtles — to have them come up to you and interact without being forced.”

While making treks around the world on his own and capturing images under the sea with video equipment, DeVillier said, he has also been lucky enough to join families and large groups on vacation trips to provide a little extra security blanket.

“Just this past summer I certified three kids and their parents asked if we could do their checkout in Cozumel,” he said. “It was a great trip.”

From the Pacific and Galapagos Islands to Figi and DeVillier’s favorite Palau, the scuba instructor has transitioned a stimulating hobby into a challenging yet exciting profession.

Ashley Sanders writes for Port Arthur (Texas) News.

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Photos

Mike Tobias/The News With a safety first mentality, DeVillier explains what each piece of equipment does and makes sure those recieving instruction know how to properly adjust their gear before they go under the water. None/Mike Tobias/The Port Arthur News (Click for larger image)

Mike Tobias/The News DeVillier takes a group of students underwater in the facility's private training pool, where he signals instructions on how to properly adjust the equipment beneath the surface. None/Mike Tobias/The Port Arthur News (Click for larger image)

Mike Tobias/The News Texas Diver’s Den diving instructor Mark DeVillier gives a personal touch when it comes to his lessons, conducting classes in the Nederland facility’s private pool. With a safety first mentality, DeVillier explains what each piece of equipment does and makes sure those recieving instruction know how to properly adjust their gear before they go under the water. None/Mike Tobias/The Port Arthur News (Click for larger image)

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