Who I am

My history…

Originally from California, I was certified through Wallin's Dive Center, then in Redwood City, California in 1990. I completed my dive training through Dive Master level at Monterey Bay, California

Assisting scuba classes each weekend at Monterey Bay, I worked for eight months before coming to Cozumel in May of 1992. At that time, I took my PADI Instructor Development Course with Karen and Ralph Erickson, the President and Founder of PADI.

Cozumel became my home in August , 1992. I began work with Dive Palancar in December of that year. I now have thirteen years of experience living and teaching scuba here in Cozumel, Mexico.

I became a NAUI instructor in 1995 and then a PADI Master Instructor in 1998. Qualification as a Master PADI Instructor rating is achieved through professional training of many Rescue Divers and that of Dive Masters.

May of 2000 saw a new era in my career. Mexican Immigration granted me independent status. I began to work on a contractual basis at Dive Palancar, billing them for my services. After one year, I decided that it was time to strike out on my own and become completely independent.

Scuba with Alison was born. Clients now contact me directly for their diving needs. I still dive with old friends from Allegro Resort, however I now have my own BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks and fins. All of the equipment receives regular maintenance by certified professionals and the equipment is in excellent condition.

What I do…

I have many customers that return to dive with me trip after trip. A friend of mine who owns a small, fast boat has given me exclusive use of it. I take up to six people comfortably. If I receive a special request from a group of more than six divers, I simply rent a larger boat. Larger boats are the exception, rather than the rule. For training dives, I use the beach area outside of the Caleta marina. The site is called Paradise and it is loaded with colorful fish, sponges and coral.

When you dive with me and need help choosing a hotel, condominium or bed and breakfast, I can make suggestions and help you with reservations.

My philosophy…

• I firmly believe in personalized service
• I like to custom-tailor every dive to the individual divers
• I believe in small groups
• I feel that dive time should be limited to air supply or computer no decompression limits….and not based on a preset schedule
• I take long surface intervals on the beach, if desired.
• We have fresh fruit, pastries and soft drinks between boat dives
• We have leisurely, flexible schedules
• We have afternoon departures available for groups of four or more to avoid "morning rush hour" on the reefs and crowds at dive sites
• Scuba "tune ups" on the beach are a good idea, before reef dives.

My mission…

To use my communication skills to offer a personalized diving experience, catering to the individual needs of my divers. Further, it is my mission to offer you the highest standards in safety and education available on the Island.

For more information on Courses that I offer, please see my page entitled The Next Step