Jim Vafeas
Instructor Profile
Jim Vafeas is one of the Staff Instructors here at Tiedemann's Diving Center, but since he doesn't work in the shop, you may not know him as well as you do the rest of us. Here's some background information on Jim V:
Training at Dutch Springs 2006
Photo by Jen McCarthy
In 1986, Jim begins his diving career by innocently enrolling in a Physical Education course elective taught by Jeanne and Ed Tiedemann while attending Hofstra University in the Fall. Later that year Jim completes his NAUI Open Water Certification dives in November and December in Noyak, Long Island in preparation for the annual Central Florida trip in January 1987.
In 1987, he completes his Advanced Certification and does mostly local Wreck Diving through the early 1990's. Some of those great beginner wrecks included the Black Warrior, Pipe Barge, Mistletoe, Valerie E., Fran S. and Iberia.
Ginnie Springs 2004. Photo by Scott Fried
By 1994, he enters the Divemaster and Assistant Instructor program here at Tiedemann's after interviewing several local dive shops about their Instructor programs.
In 1995, he begins his Scuba Equipment Repair Technician apprenticeship program through Tiedemann's which would be completed in late 1996 through a 5-day certification course taught at Hall's Diving Center in Marathon, Florida. Becomes our main Repair Tech through 2000.
In January 1996, he earns his NSS/CDS Cavern and Introduction to Cave Diver certifications as well as becoming Nitrox certified. In the Fall he also completed a PSI Cylinder Inspection course.
At Ginnie Springs 2008. Photo by Elisha Gibson
In August, Jim completes an Instructor Preparatory weekend with Lifeguard Systems who later certified him as a NAUI Instructor during their NAUI ITC in Bonaire that December. At that time, Tiedemann's was not yet an SSI Instructor Trainer facility.
Besides Jeanne and Ed, he is the longest active staff instructor at Tiedemann's.
In 1997, Jim becomes our TDI Enriched Air Nitrox Instructor and established the most thorough Recreational Nitrox course on Long Island.
In 1999, he develops the East Coast Dive Tour, weekend trips to not-too-distant drivable locations along the East Coast and Canada to explore other shore and wreck diving opportunities.
In 2001, he completes his TDI Advanced Nitrox certification, a course he now teaches here at Tiedemann's.
In 2004, Jim earns his TDI Advanced Nitrox and TDI Decompression Procedures Instructor certifications - courses he now teaches for us.
In 2006, Jim participates in the Divers Alert Network / Michael J. Norwood Memorial Fund dive where he dove with Deep Sea Detective hosts John Chatterton and Richie Kohler.
Tiedemann’s Divers during the Divers Alert Network / Michael J. Norwood Memorial Fund dive with Deep Sea Detective hosts John Chatterton and Richie Kohler. May 2006.
Jim with Deep Sea Detective hosts Richie Kohler and John Chatterton.
Later in July 2006, Jim completes his 500th successful logged dive on the wreck of the U-352 off Morehead City, North Carolina.
Tiedemann’s Divers with Richie Kohler duing a week trip to Morehead City, NC. June 2006
In December, Jim becomes one of the first students at Tiedemann's to earn his Divers Alert Network Diving Emergency Specialist certification.
In 2007, he becomes our Medic First Aid CRP/First Aid/AED Instructor and a DAN Instructor for several courses and begins co-teaching DAN classes at the annual Beneath the Sea dive convention in Secaucus, NJ. Then in August, he earns his Apprentice Cave Diver certification
Returning to Central Florida in January 2008, Jim completed his Full Cave Diver certification.
Tiedemann’s Cave Divers Post-Dive at Little River Cave in Florida. January, 2007
Jim diving in the 1,000 Islands. August 2019.
In 2011, begins solo teaching DAN classes at the annual Beneath the Sea dive convention in Secaucus, NJ.
In 2012, he becomes a React Right instructor for Tiedemann's. Jim also covered several topics during our Science of Diving. He also helps maintain our website and coordinates the mailing of the eNews, our email newsletter.
2019 marks 20 years for the East Coast Dive Tour, celebrating 20 years since our first trip to Canada.
2020, Jim takes over the website responsibilities for The Dive Club, a Long Island based dive club promoting shore and wreck diving on Long Island.
In 2020, Jim also earned the prestigious SSI Silver Instructor certification.
2022, Jim is elected to the role of Vice President for the Long Island Divers Association (LIDA), a not-for-profit regional organization dedicated to the promotion of local diving, the representation of divers interests throughout the diving and general community, and the protection of divers rights through outreach to our local and regional government officials.
2024, Jim completes his 1,000th safe dive off the Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach.
Jim dives with Poseidon, Apex and Oceanic regulators, Worthington and Faber steel tanks, OMS Backplates, Dive Rite bladders, Bare Drysuits, Shearwater dive computers, OMS and Turtle fins and Green Force, Halcyon and Sherwood dive lights.
