Tech-Diving 2000

Edward A. Betts

Ed Betts formed American Nitrox Divers International, Ltd. (ANDI) in January 1988. He is Executive Director of ANDI and has authored numerous published articles, instructor manuals and student text books. Ed also co-founded Island Scuba Centers, Inc. (ANDI #1), of Freeport, New York in 1968. When Island Scuba Centers closed in 1997, it was Long Island's oldest full-service scuba facility and one of the world's first "high tech" dive centers.

Ed has extensive experience as a practical engineer and designs and installs specialty gas delivery systems. Some of the projects he worked on were the Sikorsky CH-53-A helicopter and the Lear Jet de-icing/anti-icing systems. During the period of 1984-1987 Ed engineered, fabricated and installed on site, a high pressure, ultra-dry, ultra-pure gas distribution system for The Peoples Republic of China, for their high-tech space optics program. The project included training of their staff in the U.S.A. during 1986. Ed frequently consults in the area of gas production and distribution systems, Hyperbaric Chamber installation and diving equipment design.

Ed's diving experiences started in 1963 and included 10 years experience as a charter boat captain and master of a salvage/research vessel. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Ed is a multi-agency certified Instructor Trainer. Ed was the first individual to introduce technical diving and rebreather diving to the Middle East and is responsible for the growth of many countries tech diving communities.

Ed has had the privilege to train some of the world's top diving educators and has personally certified over 3,200 students in a variety of levels. As one of the first in the world to train sport technical & Tri-Mix divers, Ed has introduced optimal-breathing-gas technology to many parts of the world and has been working to do the same for rebreather systems.

Ed currently lives on Long Island NY, with his life's partner, Linda and his family.

• ANDI