Kary L. McNeal III • Course Director/Instructor Trainer
Since first becoming certified in 1993, Aquatic Ventures owner Kary McNeal has logged over 10,000 dives in various parts of the world. He says it’s easier to list where he hasn’t been diving than where he has. Wreck diving remains his favorite diving activity.
Kary became an instructor in 1998. In the years since he has trained over 6,000 divers and instructors. Kary holds Instructor and Instructor Trainer ratings through:
- SDI
- TDI
- ERDI
- FRTI
- NASE
- PDIC
- PADI
He is authorized to teach:
- Digital Imaging
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Advanced Buoyancy
- Project Aware
- AWARE Coral Reef Conservation SP
- Marine Ecosystem Awareness
- Underwater Naturalist
- Boat Diver
- Drift Diver
- Underwater Navigation
- Computer Diver
- Equipment Specialist
- Limited Visibility Diver
- Night Diver
- Search and Recovery Diver
- Research Diving
- Solo Diver
- Shore and Beach Diver
- Wreck diver
- Advanced Wreck Diver
- Altitude Diver
- Blackwater Diver
- Decompression Theorist
- Deep Diver
- Underwater photography
- Underwater Video
- Dive Accident Management
- DPV Pilot
- Dry Suit Diver
- Full Face Mask Diver
- Nitrox Diver
- Advanced Nitrox Diver
- Public Safety Diver
- Public Services Diver
- RDES – Public Safety Diver
- Sidemount Diver
- Intro To Tech
- xTEC Basics and Rescue
- xTEC 45
- xTEC Mixed Gas
Kary holds additional ratings as:
- Certified DOT Re-Inspector
- Visual Inspector
- Visual Inspector Instructor Trainer
- Bleachwatch
- CPRox/ First Aid Instructor Trainer
- Bloodborne Pathogens Instructor Trainer
- O2 Provider Instructor Trainer
His favorite part about being an instructor is opening peoples’ eyes to an entirely new world.
Kary has owned Aquatic Ventures for over seven years. You will see him both working in the store and teaching. He says what he enjoys most is, “Watching the team develop new divers and seeing them continue to come back and dive with us.”
Additionally, Kary is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Dive4Vets. This 501c3 organization was established to assist combat wounded service members, and their families, in overcoming mental and physical combat injuries through therapeutic scuba diving. Learning to dive has long-lasting therapeutic benefits that bring a sense of independence back to our service members. Scuba diving also helps give relief to those suffering from PTSD.
Outside of diving, Kary enjoys activities such as:
- Art
- Photography
- Archery
- Gun collector
- Shooting
- Long-distance shooting
- Cooking
