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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: |
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Open Water Instructor
since 1987 |
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PADI Master Instructor
since 1991 |
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Full Cave Certified
since 1992 |
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Full Cave Instructor
since 1996 |
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Certified Full Cave
Instructor with the following agencies: |
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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) |
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Trimix Diver |
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Technical Diving Instructor/Instructor
Trainer |
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Closed Circuit Re-breather
Diver |
Positions Held: |
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Director,
Quintana Roo Speleological Survey (see www.caves.org/project/qrss) |
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Founding member of
Grupo de Exploration Ox Bel Ha, which established the
largest water filled cave in the world (see www.mexicocavediving.com) |
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Board of Advisors
for the International Association of Nitrox and Technical
Divers (IANTD Central America) |
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Three years on the
National Speleological Society |
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Cave Diving Section
(NSS-CDS) Instructor Training Committee for Mexico |
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Founding member and
Director of the APSA Cenotes Committee of the Riviera
Maya Association of Dive and Water Sport Operators (APSA,
www.diverivieramaya.com) |
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Co-authored the manual
for the APSA cavern guide training program |
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Exploration Projects: |
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1995 Ejido Jacinto
Pat Expedition in the Dos Ojos cave system |
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1996 Transpac Expedition |
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1998 Cenote Esmeralda /
Ox Bel Ha |
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1999 Grupo de exploracion
Ox Bel Ha (GEO) Project Yax Kai, GEO Project Cenote Xux
/ Ox Bel Ha |
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2000 Explorers Club Flag
Project Aguakan / Puetro Marelos, GEO Project Cenote Ayim,
The Pit Expedition /Sistema Dos Ojos |
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2001 Steve Corey Memorial
Expeditions Cenote Odyssey / Cenote Ayim / Cenote Jail
House, The Pit Science Expedition / Sistema Dos Ojos,
SCME Na'ach Wennen Ha |
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2002 SCME Cenote Chuup Ich
/ Ak Al Che / So'sook |
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2003 GEO Expedition Jade
Pear Ox Bel Ha. Naval / Sac Actun Survey Project |
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2004 SDCM Expedition Cenote
Bek Ech, Yax Chen / Ox Bel Ha Connection |
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