My name is Adam Peden, and I’ve been diving since 2007, when I was just 12 years old. From the very first time I slipped beneath the surface, I was captivated by the sense of exploration—by the thrill of discovering a world that few ever see, and by the weightless freedom of flying through an alien environment, all in our own backyard. It was an experience that hooked me, and I knew that diving was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

At 13, I began helping out at my local dive shop, doing everything from filling tanks to assisting students with gear and learning basic repairs. Before long, I was assisting classes, playing the role of “sheepdog” to keep divers safe and on track. As soon as I was old enough, I took my next course and by age 15, I had become a certified Rescue Diver. It was during this time that I was honored with the Certificate of Valor for responding to an emergency incident on a dive.

I didn’t stop there—my passion for diving and education led me to further my training, eventually becoming a Divemaster at 18 with SCUBA Diving International. A few years later, I had the privilege of learning from a great mentor, and became a certified Dive Instructor. During this period, I also embarked on a career in emergency medical services, earning my EMT license and working in the field for five years. My experiences in both diving and EMS gave me a unique perspective on safety, emergency response, and the importance of environmental conservation.