Nic Buntmann
Nic is a technical and rebreather diver who since the early 90’s has had passion for exploring wrecks and other overhead environments across the globe. His passion for diving and exploration resulted in Nic becoming a PADI and IANTD Tek Lite Instructor, capable of teaching a wide range of courses under both banners. Nic is a strong advocate for the team diving approach to technical diving.
Dale McKnight
The fascination and intrigue of underwater exploration and the thrill of the unknown have been instilled in Dale since early childhood. Having embarked on SCUBA diving at a very young age, Dale’s diving career has spanned well over five decades. Dale enjoys diving immensely and has been involved with teaching virtually all aspects of the sport, from recreational to technical, including the use of closed-circuit rebreathers with user levels up to the highest Instructor levels offered in the industry. He is credentialed as an Instructor Trainer, Course Director, and Instructor Examiner with the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers, as well as a PADI Technical Instructor offering all levels and gas compositions. Dale particularly enjoys teaching deep, helium-based mixed gas Technical Wreck Diving and has been privileged to have trained under, with, and mentored many very successful technical divers over his career. He takes a disciplined approach to high-level diving with an emphasis on “safety first,” adopting a crawl, walk, jog, and ultimately run training mentality and philosophy. He gradually exposes his clients to the elevated risks associated with such diving endeavors. Dale works with his students for extended periods to allow them to develop a significant degree of proficiency in assessing personal readiness, planning, operationally executing, and post-dive analysis of their diving activities before awarding certification. He is both honored and proud to be a member of Tec Dive Canada and welcomes those who may wish to join the adventure.
Jesse McKnight
Jesse began scuba diving at the age of 12, developing a strong foundation in cold-water diving while exploring the Great Lakes. As a teenager, he gained experience in both wreck and ice diving, learning early how to manage the challenges of deep and low-visibility environments. Jesse was introduced to diving by his father, Dale McKnight, a fellow member of the Tec Dive Canada team. As both student and dive partner, Jesse benefited from Dale’s extensive experience, which helped shape his technical mindset and disciplined approach to diving from an early age. A licensed Professional Engineer with a background in structural engineering, Jesse brings a practical, analytical perspective to his dive planning and execution. His focus on precision, problem-solving, and risk assessment naturally aligns with the demands of technical diving. Jesse holds certifications with both PADI and the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) and is committed to ongoing development through advanced training and mentorship. He is drawn to the structured, team-based nature of technical diving and values operating within a competent, safety-focused group. As a member of Tec Dive Canada, Jesse continues to build his experience while contributing to a high-performing team that shares his values of professionalism, preparation, and mutual respect. He approaches each dive with an understanding of both the risks and the rewards that come with exploring demanding underwater environments.
Richard Notter
Richard’s first scuba experience was at a resort program in the late 80’s which culminated with a dive on a WWII B17 Flying Fortress off Corsica thereby cementing his interest in the underwater world. Armed with natural curiosity and a background in technology and engineered solutions, in 2003 Richard re-certified and began actively seeking a deeper understanding of the Science of Diving and ultimately the advantages and intricacies of Rebreather Diving. While enjoying a non-traditional Mentorship teaching style, the desire to give back to the diving community lead to an instructor pathway and to becoming an ISC factory-certified Rebreather Instructor. Richard is also certified to teach various programs offered through the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) and PADI. Richard strongly believes in a safety first, conservative diving philosophy while enjoying the excitement of exploration of cold water shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and the waters of Newfoundland. Richard has found great enjoyment in joining the Tec Dive Canada Team which provides an opportunity to dive with a like-minded, dedicated group that shares similar values and a willingness to introduce others to the excitement of a marine environment.
Todd Rhoden
With over 13 years of experience teaching scuba diving across various agencies and dive shops throughout Canada, Todd Rhoden brings a deep-rooted passion for diving, instruction, and team leadership to every dive. His diving journey has taken him across the globe, where he has explored remote underwater environments and encountered exotic marine wildlife in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring locations. With a background in marine animal welfare and years of hands-on experience as an aquarium diver, Todd offers a unique understanding of marine ecosystems and the importance of underwater conservation. This knowledge is integrated into both recreational and technical training, promoting respect for the underwater world. As a certified instructor in advanced diving, ice diving, gas blending, and multiple levels of technical diving, Todd is dedicated to sharing his expertise while emphasizing safety, precision, and skill development. His teaching approach is grounded in professionalism, patience, and a team-oriented mindset, helping divers of all levels build confidence and competence in complex underwater environments. In addition to instruction, Todd specializes in logistics coordination, dive planning, and team building—skills essential for successful technical diving operations. Whether leading remote expeditions or managing local dive programs, he is driven to foster strong, safe, and cohesive dive teams. Passionate about pushing boundaries, mentoring others, and continually learning in the ever-evolving world of diving, Todd strives to inspire and empower others to explore the underwater world responsibly and confidently.
David Schranz
Technology and Science
Dr. David Schranz holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Physics and began his diving journey 40 years ago. As a PADI Instructor, IANTD Technical Diving Instructor, and ISC factory-certified Tiburon Instructor, David is qualified to teach a broad range of courses, from entry-level Open Water to advanced Technical Diving that involves mixed gas diving concepts and advanced decompression procedures. Fascinated with the detail-oriented nature of technical diving, particularly rebreather diving, David is deeply interested in diving theory and decompression modelling. He has implemented his own decompression models to validate industry-accepted standards and to facilitate efficient dive planning. An avid underwater photographer, David has traveled the world capturing the beauty of aquatic life and shipwrecks. He has a particular passion for the historical and exploratory aspects of diving shipwrecks. In his home province of Ontario, he dives year-round in the fresh waters of the Great Lakes, uncovering the hidden wrecks beneath the surface. David's diving philosophy is rooted in clear training objectives and a commitment to never cutting corners. He believes in diving with like-minded team members to promote safe diving practices and achieve successful diving objectives. David always makes time to teach new students the essential skills needed for diving, fostering a new generation of passionate and skilled divers.