At Def14nt Divers, our mission is to provide exceptional scuba instruction and experiences that inspire confidence, safety, and adventure. As a PADI Instructor-owned business, we are committed to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for divers of all levels. From those who just want to try a scuba class in the pool, all the way to seasoned PADI professionals, we deliver personalized training, ensuring every student gains the skills, knowledge, and confidence to explore the underwater world safely and responsibly, building a lifelong passion for diving.
Jeremiah Minner discovered his passion for scuba diving in 1996 when he earned his PADI Open Water Diver certification while attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. After graduating, he served as a submarine officer on both Fast Attack and Ballistic Missile submarines, where his connection to the ocean deepened. Throughout his Navy career, Jeremiah’s enthusiasm for scuba diving never wavered, and he now shares this passion with his family.
As a dedicated educator, Jeremiah’s teaching experience spans decades and ranges from martial arts to cybersecurity. However, his passion remains scuba instruction. A PADI Master Instructor and Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer, Jeremiah is certified to teach 15 dive specialties and the Emergency First Response (Primary and Secondary Care as well as Care for Children) Instructor course.
In recognition of his dedication to diver education, Jeremiah received a 2024-2025 Elite Instructor Award, a distinction awarded to PADI instructors who have significantly contributed to training and certifying new divers.
Alyssa Yates, as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, brings a lifelong passion for the ocean, education, and adventure to every student she works with. Having spent more than half of her life as a certified diver, scuba diving has become far more than a hobby, it is a foundational part of who she is.
Alyssa’s experience spans beginner, specialty training, conservation-focused diving, and professional instruction. She is an instructor in 9 specialties, plus Emergency First Response (Primary and Secondary Care, as well as Care for Children). Her teaching style combines patience, encouragement, safety, and genuine connection, creating an environment where students feel supported from their very first breath underwater to professional-level training.
Beyond scuba instruction, Alyssa has an extensive background in teaching and coaching. Her experience working with children, teens, and adults through yoga, meditation, gymnastics coaching, and mentorship has shaped her ability to adapt to different learning styles and help students overcome fear, build confidence, and truly enjoy the learning process.
In any diving interaction, Alyssa’s goal is always the same: create safe, memorable, and transformative experiences that inspire people to fall in love with the underwater world.
Take the first step toward your scuba diving certification in Colorado Springs with Def14nt Divers. Our expert instructors will guide you through every stage of training, ensuring you’re prepared for safe and exciting underwater adventures.
Book your scuba diving certification course today and dive into a whole new world of adventure!