In 1979, the NSS-CDS certified the first group of crossover instructors

[Moonglow]

Howdy,

I am an Open Water instructor. I am participating in an article covering the forty-year history of the NSS-CDS, to be published in 2013. Over the next six months I am to gather background information, first-hand confirmation of histories, and first-hand stories. I thank you in advance for any support.

Jennifer Jarrett
San Marcos, TX

So, as to the title of this thread, when and where in 1979 was the crossover held, and who were the institute instructors?

Also, I'm looking for short blocks of information that will be included in the article. Example: who were the first twenty instructors by number?

101 Sheck Exley
102 John Zumrick
103 Forrest Wilson
104
105
106 Steve Forman
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120

[Bill Oigarden]

When I was the UWS editor I got a hold of the list. I can probably find the list when things slow down. (Forrest will probably be able find it quicker) To me the most telling initial list is the list of instructors is on the back inside cover of the first issue of Blueprint for Survival (1979). The initial printing had all our addresses by our names. I am #131 and was living in West Palm Beach at the time.

[Moonglow]

Thanks Bill. I'd love to see a list. And, we'll go for the first 50 instructors by number!

[Bill Oigarden]

This is what the CDS training director gave me in 2004. I just listed the first 50. I am not sure what my accuracy confidence level would be. Check with Forrest.

[Moonglow]

Thanks Bill! Feel free to list the second fifty.

Where were most those July, 1978 crossovers held, Branford? I assume most of those crossovers came from the NACD, but were some instructors from other agencies?

[Bill Oigarden]

Let's let FW get with you on the technical details. Forrest was the very first CDS training director. I look forward to seeing what you end up with. Bill


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[FW]

The first crossovers were done in the shop at Ginnie Springs. IIRC, the instructors crossed over from mostly the NACD, and the YMCA, possibly a few from PADI. Both PADI and the YMCA dropped their cave programs soon afterward.

Feel free to contact me by PM, for more information. Also look at the link in Bill's signature line, there is a lot of the history there already.

[Moonglow]

Thank you Forrest.

[skip]

i took a cavern course in 2002 or 2003 from the ymca. instructor was from kissimmee fl and we did the class in peacock springs.

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[curtschu]

i took a cavern course in 2002 or 2003 from the ymca. instructor was from kissimmee fl and we did the class in peacock springs.

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Kissimmee Pro Dive? Ron Menkie? He is my Cave instructor but that was NSS-CDS