Jessica Ba ( Instructors Team )

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• Instructor

  PADI IDC Staff Instructor - Scuba Diving since 2020

  She grew up and lived in Kansas City, MO. Her family would go to Florida almost yearly for a family vacation. Navarre Beach, Hollywood Beach, and, of course, Orlando. She was obsessed with The Little Mermaid from the very beginning, so with her Mom's love for animals and nature laying a foundation, she focused on the watery realm. Her first breath underwater was in 2000, but she didn't get certified until 2020. She was originally satisfied with just Open Water and Advanced Open Water because she was pursuing her Marine Biology degree and knew she would need diving for that. But her Instructors took her aside and told her they saw potential as a PADI Pro. After a little stubbornness, she saw the light! Getting her Divemaster in 2021, Open Water Scuba Instructor in 2022, Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IDC Staff Instructor in 2023, and she's working towards Master Instructor here in 2024.

   

  She graduated with her BA's in Marine Biology and Biology in 2022 and worked for Bass Pro as a contract diver, her local aquarium in the Admissions and Education departments, and then her local zoo (that was adding an aquarium) as a zookeeper for five species of penguins, North American River Otters, and Polar Bear along with diving tanks for maintenance. It was not enough diving for her, so she came down to Rainbow Reef for her IDC Staff certification November 2023 and to see what new job(s) she could find. She'll also tell you the motivation for looking in Key Largo was "if [she had] to go through one more Midwest Winter..." So, she left after that November training and moved in December to begin working in January. And, so far, this is one of the best winters she's seen.

  • Favorite Dive Site:

    Benwood

  • Favorite Specialty Class:

    Self-Reliant

  • Favorite Fish:

    Whale Shark

  • Favorite Restaurant:

    Mikes BBQ 101

  • Favorite Movie:

    The Little Mermaid

  PADI Specialty Instructor Certifications:

  • Wreck Diver

  • Deep Diver

  • Enriched Air/Nitrox Diver

  • Boat Diver

  • Peak Performance Buoyancy Diver

  • Night Diver

  • Search & Recovery Diver

  • Self Reliant Diver

  • Altitude Diver

  • Underwater Naturalist

  • Underwater Navigator

  • Digital Photo/Video

  • Diver Propulsion Vehicle

  • Dry Suit Diver

  • Equipment Specialist

  • Project Aware

  • Coral Reef Conservation

  • Dive Against Debris

  • Fish Identification

  • PADI Emergency 02 Provider

  • EFR Primary/Secondary Care

  • EFR Care for Children

My Dive Gear:

• Regulators:

• BCD:

  Aqua Lung Pro HD
  
  

  The Pro HD is a wrap-around jacket with weight integration that is sure to appeal to a wide range of divers. It provides excellent value because it is so feature-rich for the price. Wherever you want to take it, it's ready to go....

• Dive Computers:

  Aqua Lung i300C Dive computer with Bluetooth
  
  

  Connect wirelessly to your new Aqua Lung I300C Dive computer with Bluetooth...

• Mask:

• Fins:

• Snorkel:

• Octopus:

  Aqua Lung ABS Octo
  
  

  This low profile, sleek octopus is very manageable alternate air source in an emergency. Its high viz covers and hose makes it easy to see. It clips to a BCD very easily with the included quick release mount. Its shape alone, helps to streamline the diver...