GUE Instructor resumé



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Classes I teach:
Discover Diving
Scuba Diver
Open Water Diver
Performance Diver
GUE Basic Fundamentals
GUE Technical Fundamentals
Doubles Primer
Drysuit Primer
Cave Diver 1

Jon Kieren

High Springs, Florida, United States
Tulum, Mexico

386-590-1794
Jon@Kierentechnical.com
www.KierenTechnical.com


Professional

  • 2016- present: Owner, Kieren Technical
  • 2013-2021: TDI Training Advisory Panel member
  • 2015-2016: Training Director, TDI/SDI
  • 2013-2015: Training and Membership Services, TDI/SDI
  • 2008-2013: Captain and Technical Diving Instructor, St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures
  • 2005-2008: Finance Director, Boucher Automotive Group

Education

  • University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Diving Qualifications

  • GUE Cave 1/Rec/Fundamentals Instructor
  • GUE Cave 2/Tech 2 Diver
  • TDI Instructor Trainer Evaluator (inactive)
  • IANTD/NSS-CDS Full Cave, CCR Cave, DPV Cave, Advanced Trimix Instructor Trainer
  • IANTD Advanced Trimix CCR Instructor: Fathom, Gemini

Diving Experience

  • Open Water certified in 2001
  • 5000+ dives
  • 1000+ cave dives
  • 1000+ hours on CCR
  • 200+ open circuit technical dives
  • 50+ dive professionals trained
  • 150+ cave/technical divers trained
  • 400+ recreational divers trained

Community Involvement

  • Phantom Cave Exploration Project
  • “Beyond the Sump” 2024
  • Rio Uluapan Exploration Project
  • Founding member of Tulum Underwater Explorers
  • Marine Genome Project
  • “Beyond the Sump” 2022 Huautla Resurgence exploration/documentation project
  • Karst Underwater Research Team Diver
  • Host and trainer to numerous Rolex Our World Underwater Scholarship Society scholars 2013 - present

Special interests

  • Back country camping
  • Skydiving
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Publications

  • Various articles in InDepth
  • Contributing author: "Under Pressure, Diving Deeper with Human Factors" By Gareth Lock 2019
  • Contributing author: "Close Calls" by Stratis Kas 2020

Languages I teach classes in

  • English

Additional languages

  • English

Additional Info

I’m a cave diving instructor, technical diving educator, and lifelong student of the underwater world. Over the past two decades, I’ve spent thousands of hours exploring and teaching in some of the most demanding environments on the planet—from deep caves in Florida and Mexico to remote wrecks and advanced technical dives around the globe.

My background includes extensive experience teaching a range of technical and overhead environment courses. But today, I’m proud to dedicate my time exclusively to teaching Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) classes. I believe deeply in GUE’s commitment to high training standards, team-based diving, and a holistic approach that emphasizes skill, awareness, and conservation. Transitioning to teaching GUE full-time has allowed me to focus on delivering consistent, high-quality instruction within a system I trust and respect.

Cave diving, for me, is about precision, mindset, and continuous growth. I’m passionate about helping divers reach their full potential, and I take pride in mentoring students who want to dive with purpose, discipline, and a long-term perspective.



Whether you're just starting to explore technical diving or looking to refine your skills in a GUE framework, my goal is to support your journey with clarity, honesty, and real-world experience.