Slide background

Who We Are

Who We Are

Kevin AugartenI was born and raised in Southern California. Growing up here, I spent a lot of time at the beach. Mostly Santa Monica and Malibu, but any beach or body of water in Southern California was open to exploration.

The fun of playing in and around the water along with watching old shows like Jacques Cousteau, Sea Hunt, and Flipper got me interested in SCUBA diving. Following that interest, I learned to SCUBA dive over 25 years ago. The more I dove, the more I became intrigued with the whole ecosystem that thrives in these different and strange environments.

Most of my diving has been in Southern California.  I enjoy all types of diving from shallow waters to very deep wrecks, seeing all kinds of marine life from playful sea lions to the smallest nudibranch.  My passion for diving along with my passion for water-based life led me to work with organizations like Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) and volunteering for beach clean-ups with organizations like Heal the Bay.

WORK

I have worked for a government agency since 1987 and my primary responsibility is supervising hundreds of professional volunteers. We work in a team environment and that has reinforced my belief in how important team work is to accomplish any goal or solve any problem.

EDUCATION

  • Bachelors Degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • 1st Aid/CPR instructor
  • Active as a Private Airplane Pilot
  • Ordained Minister
  • Technician Class Amateur Radio License

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

I have participated in beach clean-ups for organizations like Heal The Bay for many years. I have also done volunteer work for both the Ventura County and Los Angeles County Boy Scouts/Learning for life organizations. When I was younger, I volunteered to work phone lines for the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and similar events. I have also helped other organizations raise money or worked in various capacities for animals, the homeless, and breast cancer. In society, we have a responsibility to help other people and the world around us as much as our circumstances allow. I believe this can be done in a caring and enjoyable way.

Kevin Augarten in dive suitDIVING/OCEAN

I have been an Assistant Instructor/Dive Master for over nine years. I’m a Dive Master (DM) with both PADI and SSI. I have worked both as a volunteer helping classes with new divers and as a paid DM on dive boats.

I have diving certifications with and have received instruction from the following agencies: PADI, NAUI, SSI, UTD, Los Angeles County, and GUE.

I have certifications in all the recreational SCUBA specialties. My focus the last few years has been on technical diving and my education in this area includes DPV, complete tri-mix, multiple staged decompression, and gas blending. I’m not a rebreather diver and I do not have any cave certifications… yet.

PERSONAL

I have a wife, a teenager, a dog, and two cats (all our pets are rescue animals). I have more hobbies and interests than I have time. I enjoy spending time with my family, diving (surprised?), flying, playing the piano (horrible at it), spending time on boats, movies, road trips, martial arts, listening to music, helping people, hiking, and occasionally sleeping.

SUPPORT FOR ODA

As a diver and someone that cares about our environment it pains me to see trash, hundreds of pounds of killer fishing net, abandon lobster traps, and debris doing damage to our oceans. Fortunately, an organization like Ocean Defenders Alliance exists. They are the premier and ground breaking nonprofit organization in the removal of trash and debris from our oceans. They are conscientious, passionate, well managed, and much needed. Having the opportunity to volunteer for them has combined my love of the ocean, SCUBA diving, volunteering, and accomplishing something bigger than myself for the greater good of mankind and our world.