instructor, and guide, Bil Phillips. Originally from Canada, Bil is one of the best known and most accomplished underwater cave explorers around. A true pioneer in the region since 1996, he has logged over 4,200 cave dives and personally explored and mapped more than 150,000 feet/45,700 meters of previously undiscovered water-filled passages. He has been a key explorer in no less than 35 underwater cave systems. In recognition, he was elected to The Explorer’s Club of New York as a “Fellow International” in the year 2000.

Bil’s efforts and knowledge have benefited scientific research in the areas of Hydrology, Biology, Water Chemistry, and Geology. He has also contributed to the field of Archeology by partnering with the Instidudo Nacional Anthroplologia e Historia (INAH- Mexico's Department of Archeology) to analyze prehistoric artifacts he and his colleagues discovered.

Due to his vast knowledge base and communication abilities, Bil has been invited to participate in a number of video documentaries on cave diving. He was even featured and interviewed in the History Channel documentary, “Magellan’s Lost Fleet” filmed in Patagonia, Argentina.

Highly respected by his colleagues, Bil has influenced standards in dive education and safety. He has written articles on technical diving and taken leadership roles in several diving agencies and associations.
Bil’s passion for exploration and conservation of the Yucatan caves is matched only by his enthusiasm for training and guiding others. This enthusiasm is undeniable to anyone who has spent time with him. The hundreds of students Bil has instructed have witnessed his ability to tirelessly pursue detail and safety, yet keep the learning experience enjoyable.

Bil Phillips doesn’t just talk about the history of cave diving in the Yucatan. He is part of it.

Certifications:
	Open Water Instructor since 1987
	PADI Master Instructor since 1991
	Full Cave Certified since 1992
	Full Cave Instructor since 1996
	Certified Full Cave Instructor with the following agencies:
		National Association of Cave Divers (NACD) National Speleology Society-Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) Technical Divers International (TDI)
	Trimix Diver
	Technical Diving Instructor/Instructor Trainer
	Closed Circuit Re-breather Diver

Positions Held:
	Director, Quintana Roo Speleological Survey (see www.caves.org/project/qrss)
	Founding member of Grupo de Exploration Ox Bel Ha, which established the largest water filled cave in the world (see www.mexicocavediving.com)
	Board of Advisors for the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD Central America)
	Three years on the National Speleological Society
	Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) Instructor Training Committee for Mexico
	Founding member and Director of the APSA Cenotes Committee of the Riviera Maya Association of Dive and Water Sport Operators (APSA, www.diverivieramaya.com)
	Co-authored the manual for the APSA cavern guide training program

Exploration Projects:
	1995 Ejido Jacinto Pat Expedition in the Dos Ojos cave system
	1996 Transpac Expedition
	1998 Cenote Esmeralda / Ox Bel Ha
	1999 Grupo de exploracion Ox Bel Ha (GEO) Project Yax Kai, GEO Project Cenote Xux / Ox Bel Ha
	2000 Explorers Club Flag Project Aguakan / Puetro Marelos, GEO Project Cenote Ayim, The Pit Expedition /Sistema Dos Ojos
	2001 Steve Corey Memorial Expeditions Cenote Odyssey / Cenote Ayim / Cenote Jail House, The Pit Science Expedition / Sistema Dos Ojos, SCME Na'ach Wennen Ha
	2002 SCME Cenote Chuup Ich / Ak Al Che / So'sook
	2003 GEO Expedition Jade Pear Ox Bel Ha. Naval / Sac Actun Survey Project
	2004 SDCM Expedition Cenote Bek Ech, Yax Chen / Ox Bel Ha Connection