Some of our SCUBA diving adventures. David is a NAUI instructor who teaches in middle Tennessee with Special Operations Support - Emergency Response. Don’t let the name scare you, we teach recreational divers. A few years ago, Lisa decided to try it as well achieving her Advanced Open Water certification in 2025.
Vortex Springs
Home of the Diver Down Flag
Created by Doc & Ruth Dockery, Vortex Spring is home to the Red & White "Diver Down" Flag and is one of the largest diving facilities in the state of Florida.
Vortex Spring is recognized as one of the best and safest diving resorts in the country. This 520 acre playground produces approximately 28 million gallons of crystal "gin" clear water daily at a year round temperature of 68 degrees
I was introduced to Vortex Springs back in 1994. Around 2006, my buddy Rick and I began taking advanced classes and later assisting with those classes with the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) SCUBA program which some years later was disbanded due to not being directly tied to a degree program. While assisting our mentors with that program, we became very familiar with Vortex Springs. Not only do we take our own students there now, but the clarity and safety of the somewhat closed fresh springs environment is perfect for our cadre team’s annual get back in the water refresher. Doug Dockery, Doc’s son, and his wife Angela own and run the facility. There is LOTS more to do than just SCUBA while visiting.
Lisa & David - Vortex Springs
Looking up from the cavern
Practice inflating a safety buoy
Practice inflating a safety buoy
When Lisa isn't a mermaid, she's a scuba diver. Posing here with the local mermaid.
Safety Stop probably taking a selfie
Pre-dive
