Pura Vida Divers Crew

Your Staff and Instructors

With extensive experience within the dive industry, your professional staff and instructional team at Pura Vida Divers values your comfort, safety, enjoyment, and achievement.

Dean Shuler
President
Captain, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, DAN Instructor
Born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, Dean studied marine zoology while pursuing a career in diving. After 6 years of extensive experience within the dive industry including managing charter operations at a highly-rated dive operation and teaching at a PADI Career Development Center, he developed and opened Pura Vida Divers. In addition to his role as President, he is an accomplished United States Coast Guard-licensed 100 Ton Captain, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Emergency First Response Instructor, DAN O2 Provider Instructor, and TDI Instructor. He was recently interviewed for a National Geographic Special on Sharks. On his "off" days he enjoys diving the springs, caverns and cave systems in North Florida and Mexico. His favorite dive sites include Atlantis and Paul's Reef.

Kevin Cox
Managing Captain
Born and raised in Virginia, Kevin never ventured far from the water. He began his diving career in Florida working with a highly-rated dive operation where he obtained his United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Captains license. Kevin then captained for a well-known liveaboard company taking charters to both the Bahamas and Belize, and later joined Pura Vida Divers as a Managing Captain. After recently completing his EMT and Fire Rescue training, Kevin has begun working for the Boyton Beach Fire Department on his "days off"! His favorite dive sites include Northwest Double Ledges and Toybox.

Jake Ziegler
Captain, Padi Rescue Diver
Originally from New Jersey, Jake migrated to Florida to pursue a career in captaining and diving where he obtained his United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Captains license. He captained for several years on a Bahamas liveaboard boat specializing in shark diving...tigers, lemons, hammerheads, even the elusive oceanic whitetips. He was recently interviewed and filmed in 'Requiem', an astounding shark awareness documentary. Additionally, Jake's an accomplished underwater photographer and loves snapping shots of our local fishy friends on his days off. Jake just won 2nd place for Wide-Angle in Scuba Diving Magazines 2008 photo contest. You can find his winning photos in July 2008's magazine, page 47. Come by the shop to view some of his other amazing photos! His favorite dives sites include Shark Dive and Midreef.

Shana Phelan
Dive Facility Manager
Environmental Conservation Advisor, PADI MSDT, DAN Instructor
Originally from Columbus, Indiana, Shana graduated from the College of Charleston in South Carolina with Marine Biology and Environmental Science Degrees. After initially moving to Florida to pursue a career in diving she returned to the Carolinas where she completed her Masters Degree in Coastal Environmental Management at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. She has worked with the Juno Marine Life Center as a Marine Biologist and Researcher studying endangered and threatened sea turtles including the elusive Leatherback. In 2002, she was interviewed by The Discovery Channel in regards to her research, and in 2005 she worked closely with WIDECAST to create a Sea Turtle Stranding Field Guide. She returned to Pura Vida in 2005 as Dive Facility Manager. In addition, Shana is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, DAN Instructor, EFR Instructor, and TDI Instructor. Her favorite dive sites include Juno Ledge and Fourth Windows.

Barbara DeClerque
PADI Course Director (Instructor Trainer), DAN Instructor Trainer, Captain, EFR Instructor Trainer
Originally a mathematics professor at Fordham University in New York City, Barbara began her diving career as an instructor in Manhattan but decided early on to move south to warmer climes and endless diving opportunities. She traveled and taught classes extensively throughout the American and British Virgin Islands and eventually made South Florida her home and "base of operations". Barbara enjoys teaching new and old divers alike and relishes the opportunity to transform divers into instructors for PADI, DAN, and EFR. Although diving is now her passion and full-time "job", Barbara has a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy from Fordham University and a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University. Her favorite dive sites are the Mizpah Corridor and Paul's Reef.

Jeff Hawes
SSI Dive Control Specialist
Jeff started diving back in the mid 70’s, while attending University of Minnesota. After moving to Oregon in the mid 90’s where the water was saltier, and even colder, he really became enamored with the sport. He obtained his SSI DiveCon certification and spent every weekend splitting his diving between assisting with new students, spearfishing, and underwater photography. While in the Pacific Northwest, he divemastered aboard the 116-foot liveaboard Nautilus Explorer in British Columbia. Jeff travels and dives throughout the world in several diverse locations including Bonaire, Curacao, and Hawaii. Looking for warmer waters, he finally settled in Palm Beach and, when not pulling a float ball, can be found photographing our amazingly diverse underwater realm. His favorite dive sites include Teardrop and The Corridor.

Russ Cook
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, SDI Instructor, DAN Instructor
Russ joined Pura Vida Divers' staff and instructional team in May of 2003. Originally from Illinois, Russ completed his Instructor training in sunny South Florida. He has extensive experience teaching students as a PADI Instructor in the warm Atlantic waters as well as guiding divers through our phenomenal coral reef ecosystem on board Sirena. Certified to teach 14 diverse specialty courses including Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver, Wreck Diver, and Deep Diver, Russ is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Emergency First Response Instructor, and DAN O2 Provider Instructor. An Engineer by profession, he spends his 'free' time searching for the outstanding macro life of South Florida. He has also traveled to exotic locations including the Bahamas, Tobago, and San Salvador. His favorite dive sites include Paul's Reef and Juno Ledges.

Susan Gardner
PADI MSDT Instructor, Captain, EFR Instructor, DAN Instructor
Originally from California, Susan started her dive career in 1982 frequently diving off Catalina Island, Puget Sound, and Hawaii. A pharmacist by trade, Susan spends all of her available time under water. She has over 2,000 dives here locally and is a regular at the Blue Heron Bridge. An avid videographer, Susan is on the boat every weekend as instructor, dive guide, or deckhand. She is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Emergency First Response Instructor, and DAN O2 and Advanced O2 Provider Instructor. Her favorite dive sites include Horseshoe and The Blue Heron Bridge.

Brian Buss
PADI Divemaster
One of the few Florida natives on the team, Brian (or B.B.) eats, sleeps, breathes the ocean. After working several years for another reputable dive company and for Mel Fisher's treasure hunting team (where he found a five foot strand of pearls buried deep in the sand), B.B. joined us in late 2007 as full-time divemaster/deckhand. When not diving on Sirena, B.B. is either surfing, fishing, or resting on his own sailboat where he resides. You will likely see B.B. on most every trip...we think he really is part fish! His favorite dive sites include Governors Riverwalk and Dive-A-Rama.

Charity Cox
PADI Divemaster
Originally from Virginia, Charity attended Virginia Wesleyan College and graduated with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Charity received her certification in 2001 and fell in love with the sport. She quickly excelled to the rank of Divemaster and began working for Pura Vida in 2003. Because Charity works full-time as a school teacher and girls lacrosse coach at Saint Andrew's School, and as a Level 1 Lacrosse Coach Trainer for US Lacrosse, she gladly spends her free time looking for hammerheads and frogfish on our amazing reef systems. Her favorite dive sites include Elevator Shaft and The Corridor.

Clark Archibald
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Captain
Although originally from Colorado, Clark left the snowy mountains for a career on the high seas. He started his love affair with the ocean while serving in the US Navy and from there continued further south to work for highly-rated dive operations in Saba, Bimini and South Florida where he obtained his United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Captains license and his PADI Master Scuba Instructor rating. To spice things up, Clark completed his EMT and Fire Rescue training in 2002, and currently works for the Palm Beach Gardens Fire Department on his "days off"! You can find him on the boat weekly acting as Divemaster, Deckhand, or Instructor. His favorite dive sites include Paul's Reef and the Trench.

Kyle Mitchell
PADI Instructor
One of the few Florida natives on the team, Kyle's been in the ocean practically since birth. Since helping his father operate their family boat from a young age, Kyle knows all things water. On his "days off", Kyle frequently travels to the Bahamas for fishing, diving, and boating fun. Kyle recently joined the United States Marine Corps and, just out of boot camp, has started his military training. However, if he gets any time off, he'll likely be out working on the boat and teaching new divers. His favorite dive sites include Spud Barge and Juno Ledge.

Sam Shuler
PADI Divemaster
An enthusiastic PADI Divemaster and underwater photographer, Sam joined Pura Vida Divers in 2002. With hundreds of dives in Palm Beach, you'll find him on the bottom every opportunity he gets. When he's not diving, he's training for his next marathon. An accomplished runner, he ran the New York Marathon in 2001. His favorite dive sites include Jolly Jacks and Paul's Reef.

Victor Neugebauer
PADI Divemaster
Victor has proved valuable with his extensive knowledge of the local marine life. A Florida native, he formerly worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection including a position as Chairman of the Dive Safety Board. Victor is an avid lobster hunter, and holds Divemaster ratings with PADI, SDI, and the Environmental Protection Agency. His favorite dive sites include South Double Ledges and Lopadas.

Chris Murphy
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Originally from New York City, New York, Chris came to Florida pursing a career in boat building and restoration. As a result, he found himself active in the marine community. He is a member and surveyor on the Palm Beach County Reef Research Team. As a surveyor, Chris has developed a sharp familiarity with the local marine environment and fish identification. Don't be surprised if he involves you in a Fish ID game while onboard Sirena! In addition, Chris is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. His favorite dive sites include South Flower Gardens and Second Windows.

Heather Ross
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Born in Gainesville, Florida, Heather graduated from McCallister College in Minnesota with a Master's Degree and promptly headed back to the water. After working as a Divemaster in the Turks and Caicos, she returned to the US to continue her diving education and became an instructor right here in South Florida. Her love of sharing the underwater world then led Heather to work with Blue Dorado, a liveaboard scuba camp for teenagers that travels to and around Grenada every summer. Heather enjoys all things water and currently calls a restored catamaran her home. She is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and recently returned to us from another position abroad. Her favorite dive sites include Governor's Riverwalk and Bath and Tennis.