Our dear friend and mentor Reggie Ross died suddenly and unexpectely on Christmas Even. He had been diving for more than four decades — and teaching scuba nearly as long. In that time, Reggie trained hundreds of divers and instructors. In the process, he had made thousands of dives at locations around the globe.

For most of this time, Reggie was based right here where he grew up, in north-central Florida’s cave country. He was recognized as being among the most accomplished members of the cave diving community.

Reggie’s instructor ratings

• NSS-CDS Training Chairman
• NSS-CDS Instructor Sponsor
• NSS-CDS DPV Cave Diver Instructor
• NSS-CDS Stage Cave Diver Instructor
• NSS-CDS Sidemount Cave Diver Instructor
• IANTD Advanced Cave Sidemount Instructor Trainer
• IANTD Technical Cave Diving Instructor Trainer
• NASE Instructor Trainer for Cave and Tech
• NAUI Course Director/Instructor Trainer Emeritus
• PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
• TDI Advanced Nitrox Instructor
• TDI Cavern Instructor
• TDI Decompression Procedures Instructor
• TDI DPV Cave Instructor
• TDI Full Cave Instructor
• TDI Intro to Cave Instructor
• TDI Intro To Tech Instructor
• TDI Nitrox Instructor
• TDI TDI Cave Sidemount Instructor
• TDI TDI Stage Cave Instructor

Reggie’s accomplishments

• Cave survey and cartography
• Co-editor of NSS-CDS student workbook
• Commercial spearfisherman
• NASE Regional Training Director for northeast Florida
• NSS-CDS Training Committee member since 2001
• Past dive charter boat owner/operator
• Staffed nearly two dozen NAUI ITCs at Disney World
• Underwater photographer/videographer

Places Reggie has been diving

Reggie has not only dove, but taught in:

• Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
• Bahamas
• Black Sea
• Bonaire
• California
• Cyprus
• Florida
• Great Lakes
• Maldives
• Mexico
• Norway (above Arctic Circle)
• Russia’s Orda Cave
• White Sea

Reggie left an incredible legacy and will be remembered for some time to come.