In the world of diving, mentors play an invaluable role in shaping not only our skills but also our attitudes and understanding about the underwater realm. A great mentor is far more than a teacher; they embody the principles of mastery, safety, and humility, setting an example that transcends technical knowledge. Through their guidance, they model what it means to be a competent and respectful diver, instilling values that can ripple through the diving community.
Mentors are also crucial in modelling the humility required for continuous learning in diving, an activity where the stakes can be high and overconfidence can lead to catastrophic results. By emphasizing a culture of respect for the ecosystem, for equipment, and for one’s own limitations, they encourage divers to cultivate both skill and wisdom. This blog celebrates the pivotal role of diving mentors, especially those whose legacies have paved the way for generations of divers to explore the depths with confidence and integrity.
My first exposure to modelled behaviour began with my father who was an incredible influence ensuring my family was always near the water. He himself knew how to dive and saw to it that I knew how to swim before I could walk. Despite my Dad's encouragement to explore beneath the waves, my first true diving mentor was a gentleman by the name of Carl Chambers. His curiosity for exploring caves and wrecks was infectious and throughout the late eighties he helped develop my technical diving skill-sets emphasizing competence and confidence through perfection. He was dedicated and loyal to his understudies and after emerging as his Padawan, I knew then I wanted to eventually go on to train others to explore beyond normal diving ranges.
Ten years later I had the opportunity to develop my leadership skills under the critical direction provided by caving pioneer Tom Mount who we sadly lost in 2022. His contributions to technical diving and diver education spanned decades and epitomized the profound influence mentors can have.
With extensive histories, rich experiences, and unmatched sagacity, Tom bridged the gap between diving’s past and its future. The NOGI award winner and founder of IANTD and NACD logged more than 10,000 dives in his life and remained active up until his death at the age of 82. During his programs he shared insights born from countless dives, challenges, and innovations.
I first met Tom first in 1997 when I went to work for IANTD in Miami. Daunted by the prospect of staying at this legend’s home, I was quickly made to feel at ease by his modesty, and the 345 pounds of pet Rottweiler on my bed. Tom took a special interest in supporting the development of Nitrox and technical diving in Canada, and that included endorsing Canadian talent like Jill Heinerth. Jill, another model example of mentorship, perhaps said it best when she described Tom's leadership approach as a philosophy that encompassed mindfulness, one that never disparaged students, "he found a way to lift them up and encourage their development with honesty".
Tom was known around the world as a sagacious leader who embraced life by expanding the potential of others. His deep understanding of diving sciences was only surpassed by his determination to remain active as a diver and a teacher. Throughout his entire career Tom represented the industry as an ambassador branded by humble professionalism. He was committed to championing the evolution of extended range dive training by developing ground breaking standards that minimized risk not just for divers and explorers, but the industry as a whole. Tom's legacy however, left more than a global ripple that advanced diving sciences. He inspired multiple generations of explorers and entrepreneurs to carry on in their own pursuit for knowledge and sharing.
Despite Tom's accolades and achievements, he remained, throughout his life, a man of modesty. As Brett Gilliam, founder of TDI once explained to me; Tom was a "celebrated celebrity but always had the time to chat and share his personal knowledge with others. That made him truly special". I was witness to this on many occasions, each time impressed by the interest he expressed in my well-being, enhanced by his warm smile and the glint in his eye.
Those who had the privilege to meet him will have fond memories of his ability to engage in authentic conversation and the notably distorted digits of his firm handshake, bent from years of rough-housing with the Rottweilers he cherished.
Tom's leadership philosophy was built around loyalty, family and emotional intelligence. His survival training and martial arts programs sought to develop confidence in those around him helping them realize that anything is possible, "what the mind believes it can achieve". Moving forward I work hard to model my own leadership endeavours after people like my father, Carl and of course Tom. They are all diving legends in my opinion. I also need to give credit to all those I love to dive with, people with whom I call my close diving buddies AND my own students as I seem to learn as much from them as they do from me, perhaps more.
So where does one start in their own journey to become a mentor? I do not believe Tom Mount pursued his life endeavours with the intent to make them the biggest or the best, just the purest. His own legacy can best be described by something Tom himself once shared with his extended family closer towards the end of his life, words I found to be most fitting for a mentor; “We all die thus; it is the Quality of Life, not quantity that should define how we live.”
Rest in peace Sensei.
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