Andrew Leonard

PADI IDC Staff Instructor | DAN Instructor Trainer | Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) Instructor

Andy has been diving since 2006, with a long-standing commitment to conservation and responsible diving shaped in part by helping establish Guatemala’s first marine reserve in Amatique Bay. A 30+ year military veteran with experience leading teams in high-risk operations, he brings a calm, practical approach to building capable divers and strengthening everyday dive safety, with a particular focus on adaptive and inclusive instruction; he also volunteers with the VA National Disabled Veterans Sports Clinic to help expand access to diving. A graduate of The Human Diver’s online and in-person programs, Andy is an HFiD Instructor Candidate focused on just culture, psychological safety, and learning from near-misses, and he supports dive safety research as an Injury Monitoring volunteer with DAN Research.

Favorite piece of scuba gear: Apeks XTX50

Favorite underwater creature less than 4 inches in length: Coral Polyp

Favorite underwater creature over 4 inches in length: Spotted Eagleray

Favorite dive site: Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System