DS>I have a friend who has just started his commercial diving training and
  >am myself in the process of upgrading my certifications to become an
  >instructor.  According to the research that I did for my friend the
  >actual SCUBA training for a commercial diver is fairly limited and
  >particularly focussed on aspects of SCUBA tha apply to commercial work.
Dennis, you are absolutely right. I would have to more or less start 
as open water and advance from that point on to instructor.  
Unfortunately the instructors I talk with don't make enough money 
to really justify instructing.  I feel however there would be some tax 
advantages to being an instructor.
I hope you friend enjoys the training that he is receiving for 
commercial diving.  I am a Coastal School of Deep Sea Diving graduate
from Oakland Ca.
Thanks for the info 
Billy Smith
 * 1st 2.00 #8085 * "Windws is ine for bckgroun comunicaions" - Bll Gats, 192
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