'I wanted you to know that our recent biomedical testing using the Divex Shadow Excursion went wonderfully. The rig performed exactly as advertised. But perhaps more importantly, Paul Haynes provided consummate training and assistance. His background, knowledge, and demeanor was exactly what was needed to give both Naval Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) and the military test divers the utmost confidence in the product.

Having seen MANY other equipment reps in action through the years, I was amazed at Paul's smooth, confident performance. Although the Navy's contractor regulations prevented him from diving with the students, as he is accustomed, he quickly adjusted, providing outstanding training and monitoring of the divers from topside.

The highest honor bestowed upon him was when the NEDU Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Senior Chief diving supervisor made Paul the rig supervisor during open water dives. That was a well deserved and appropriate action that I doubt has ever been given to a manufacturer's representative by the U.S. Diving Navy.

Again, kudos to Divex for sending us such a well suited training and technical representative. Please pass along to Paul our thanks for a job well done!'

John R. Clarke, Ph.D.

Scientific Director, Navy Experimental Diving Unit
US Navy

'With a UKSF Military diving background and considerable industry experience gained over many years at DIVEX, Paul Haynes is one of UK's leading military diving experts and is at the forefront of both military & civilian diving technology.  His portfolio is impressive and includes the provision of rebreather diving equipment to SF forces worldwide and the introduction of Clearance Diver's Life Support Equipment (CDLSE) to the Royal Navy, the most advanced electronic mixture gas re-breather in the world.  As a practitioner he is first class and leads in this specialist field, equally at ease presenting to senior military and government organisations or teaching operators at the coal face.  Highly polished, he stands out from the rest, and remains one of UK's most experienced and talented rebreather diver / instructor trainer today'.

Commander Chris Ameye Royal Navy
Former UK MoD Superintendent of Diving - responsibility for UK Armed Forces diving

Paul was an invited speaker at a recent British Hyperbaric Association Annual Scientific Meeting. He spoke to a medical audience about aspects of the training that recreational divers receive, particularly that relating to medical problems encountered in diving. His clear and interesting talk, accompanied by a well put together presentation, was much appreciated by the audience. A quiet and unassuming manner belies the depth of his knowledge and experience. We enjoyed working with Paul, and invited him back to speak at a later local meeting.

Dr Donald Thomas
Consultant in Anaesthesia and Hyperbaric MedicineNHS Grampian

'I have dived with Paul Haynes for many years researching, tracking and diving long lost shipwrecks around Scotland. Paul is a genuine all rounder. His technical knowledge and sea craft make him an asset to have both on the land and at sea. His tough Royal Marine/Special Forces background and discipline allows him to meet every challenge head on and surmount it. Paul gets the job done and along the way has been the first to dive many long lost virgin shipwrecks with me.

Rod Macdonald
wreck researcher and author of:
Into the Abyss, Dive Scapa Flow, Dive Scotland's Greatest Wrecks,Dive England's Greatest Wrecks, The Darkness Below

'Paul has an excellent knowledge of military diving from both a safety and operational perspective. Paul is thorough and precise in the application of this knowledge and is an invaluable asset to any diving project. We highly recommend him.'

David Smith
Managing Director
National Hyperbaric Centre
Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

As a student I have often been disappointed by the quality of my recreational diving instructors and the course content they deliver. For this reason, I decided that my technical training instructor would be someone who I had complete faith in, had forgotten more than I would ever know and most importantly, did the type of diving I wanted to do on a regular basis. From the first time I called Paul to discuss my training requirements I knew that he ticked all of these boxes and more! He takes the certifying bodies course syllabus, ensures that he covers every part of it but presents it the “Paul Haynes way” by adding additional material and examples from his personal experience to make it come to life. If you want an easy ride to collect the certification card then go somewhere else. If you want to be challenged both mentally and physically, expand your comfort zone and become a better diver then give Paul a shout – you will not be disappointed!

Gary Petrie
Reservoir Sampling & Analysis Business Development Manager
Oilphase-DBR Schlumberger Testing (Europe & Africa)

'Not only is Paul a great Instructor but also a superb Instructor Trainer. An accomplished all-rounder who excels in instruction at all levels whether it is beginner recreational diving or teaching others to become mixed gas or rebreather instructors, Paul inspires confidence in all his students. A real down to earth approachable guy who clearly enjoys his own diving and his energy and enthusiasm shines through in his teaching. His vast and enviable experience and attention to detail make his training second to none. Having had the pleasure to work with Paul on a number of Instructor and Technical courses, I can highly recommend him as one of the best of the best.'

Dave Sydenham
BSAC National Instructor #233

'I've had the privilege of working with Paul for almost a decade, and have witnessed first hand his extraordinary involvement in Commercial, Defence and Recreational Diving projects. These range from Sub-surface Marine Engineering Research and Development, to a vast assortment of practical In-water training courses through to Instructor Trainer level.  Indeed as a former Student of Paul’s I can offer my highest recommendation to his consistent professionalism and expertise. Time and again Paul has proved to be a conscientious and passionate instructor who implements a positive can-do attitude, his attention to detail is unsurpassed from planning risk assessment through to final de-brief. Paul’s Haynes extraordinary experience and unique style of instruction within the subsurface world surely places him as a top choice to encompass all of your in-water training requirements.'

Niall Crichton BSAC
BSAC / PSAI CCR Instructor
Account Manager UK
Wilhemsen Ships Service Ltd

'I first met Paul on a BSAC Advanced Instructor Training Course a few years ago, I was unaware of his background at that time, but I do remember being highly impressed by his Organisational and Dive Skills, and it was no surprise to discover he had a Military background.  Our paths crossed again during the BSAC First Class Diver Exam and again Paul was head and shoulders over all the other Candidates and his Exam Pass was well deserved. Since then I have Worked and Dived with Paul on several Expeditions and never fail to be impressed by his depth of knowledge and skills.

Paul is a founder Member of Tec Divers, a BSAC Branch formed to promote Safer Expedition and Recreational Technical Diving, and has brought some thought provoking, innovative and progressive ideas from his Military and Commercial Background which will be trialed recreationally to make Technical Diving as safe as possible.  When I first met Paul it was very clear he worked for DIVEX, he took every opportunity to promote the Company, from his DIVEX branded Clothing down to ensuring the Company logo was seen in every Expedition Photograph taken, it was inspiring to see someone actively and enthusiastically supporting his Company whenever possible

Paul has a ‘can-do’ attitude, and his direct no nonsense approach to Recreational Mixed Gas Diving has made him many friends, his opinion and advice is sought by many people and he is widely respected for his approachability, knowledge and honesty.'

Stevie Adams
BSAC First Class Diver, Advanced InstructorAdvanced Mixed Gas CCR Diver, Wreck Researcher

'We were delighted when Paul said he could present at our dive conference and having read his résumé I was nervous about meeting him! This is because I am a typical ‘club diver’ as apposed to a ‘technical diver’ and most people attending the conference like me do most of our dives are to a maximum of 30m depth. Paul however trains Navy divers and is well known in the Eyemouth area for his participation in some more technical diving that goes on. I needn’t have worried as he is very easy going and just as comfortable with us sport divers as he was with the other well known speakers who contributed at our conference. He is obviously a very enthusiastic instructor as well as having a wide knowledge about everything to do with diving. His talk rounded off our day nicely. It was packed with information on how re-breathers are used by the forces and how they and their use has evolved over the years. He gave us some insight into another side of the diving world and we learned about some of the modern versions of the old underwater chariots not to mention underwater ribs! In the future we might all be using rebreathers and we obviously owe a lot to the testing and development done by navy divers just as we do now with open circuit systems and dive tables we use now. I am looking forward to attending another one of his talks in the future and meeting him again.'

Sandy McPherson
2009 Scottish Sub-Aqua Club Conference Organiser

'Paul has an effective teaching style making mandatory coursework easy to understand with the added benefit of real world 'What if' scenarios and ways to manage them.

Paul's realistic teaching of 'Not if, but when’ something goes wrong, here is an effective solution' promotes confidence even before the actual dive sessions.  Under the water Paul's "hands-off" approach allowed my buddy and I to get on with the dive's required elements while knowing if assistance was required it would be given immediately.  As an example, during our Advanced Nitrox with Deco Procedures course my buddy was unhappy with his stage (freeflow starting during the gas switch). Due to our training we were able to switch to our 'Lost Gas' scenario without drama.  Paul was attentive throughout this episode and was close at hand to donate one of his stages (as compatible gas mixes had been set up during the dive plan) allowing a return to the original planned deco schedule.

Since we completed our Advanced Nitrox and Deco Procedures course both my buddy and I have booked on with Paul for our entry Trimix course. As it is our lives on the line, I believe no recommendation can be higher than a diver continuing their technical training with the same instructor.'

Simon Carter
PSAI Advance Nitrox and Decompression Diver