John Loftus

Ten years ago at the ripe old age of fifteen I began diving. I had lived in Chicago at the time and did my first check out dives at a local quarry with my younger brother. Shortly after being certified our father had taken my brother and I on our first wreck dives on Lake Michigan. I guess you can say I grew up wreck diving and still to this day it is my favorite class to teach. I moved to Milwaukee when I started college at Marquette University. After graduation I accepted a Job in Milwaukee and discovered Underwater Connection. Since starting teaching at UC I have also become a technical diver holding several different certifications from TDI (Technical Diving International) and NACD (National Association for Cave Diving). Now I am starting my fourth season as an instructor with UC and enjoying every minute of bottom time.

# Years Diving (certified since): 10+ (OW Cert 1997)
Highest Certification Level: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Instructor Since: 2004
Instructor Specialties
_____ Altitude
X____ Boat
X____ Deep
X____ Drysuit
X____ Enriched Air Nitrox
X____ Ice
_____ Drift
X____ Wreck
_____ Night
_____ U/W Navigation
_____ U/W Photographer
_____ U/W Videographer
_____ U/W Naturalist
_____ Search & Recovery
_____ Cavern
_____ DPV
_____ Multi-level
_____ Emergency First Response
_____ DAN O2
_____ Others (list)

Highest Tech Diving Certifications: TDI Advanced Trimix and TDI/NACD Full Cave
Equipment Servicing/Blending: DSAT Trimix Gas Blender, TDI O2 Technician
Favorite types of diving: Caves and Wrecks
Favorite diving locations: North Florida Cave Diving and Great Lakes Wreck Diving
Full-time Employer: Structural Engineer for the City of Milwaukee
E-mail address: jayblhkg@hotmail.com