UDM Aquatic Services/UDM Consulting and Creation

As you can see I have updated the name of my page. The new name reflects the new services I offer. I've been doing this for a while now in a limited capacity. Recently I've created 5 service manuals for an account with photos shot on my bench. Recently a new product photo studio has been something I've been working on. I now have all the pieces in place to shoot here, and if necessary for larger items, outdoors. If your business is interested in having a user/service manual ...created for a product you sell under your own logo or just wish to personalize for your business/classes, message me for a quote. Are you an instructor looking for a hand with creating a class/workshop manual or handout but feel your writing skills could use some help? I've written, edited, and have been a technical contributor for courses for SDI/TDI (SDI Drysuit course author, SDI/TDI Sidemount Technical Contributor, ERDI Full Face Mask Editor), SEI (Advanced OW, Underwater Navigation, Search and Recovery/PSD Level 1), and created my own class materials for Advanced, Underwater Navigation, Buoyancy and Trim, as well as authoring two books with worldwide distribution. Message me for examples. Rates are based on the amount of work required and expenses for remote location-based (requires any travel to a site) shoots. For examples of my photo skills please see my James Lapenta Imaging page. https://www.facebook.com/James-A-Lapenta-Imaging-101555577925878

When you start to realize what's important and what isn't. I've been evaluating what I want to do over the holidays and consulting with those I care about and have the greatest respect for. For a number of reasons I have come to the decision that as of now, though I'll continue to do deep and tech dives, I won't do them in a teaching capacity. My age, reaction time, certain personal issues, and the concerns of those I care about far outweigh the benefits and risks of continu...Continue reading

I have received some questions on HOG service classes. I will be doing classes after the 1st of the year. Strictly one to one, on-demand until the virus is truly under control. I have always taught them on-demand and never made anyone wait for me to get another student. I have added people when someone requested a class. Those people had to go by the schedule of the original student. We are working on the new shop now. The pool is in and building up over it. We were building ...the walls for the bathrooms and showers today in fact. The classroom and shop area will be shaping up over the next month or so. The owner and I are agreed that due to people in our families having health issues, all classes will be one to one. Or 2 - 3 people if they reside in the same household. At some point, we will have an area outside when the weather permits, and I will be able to teach SMALL groups of 3-4 again. I don't charge extra for private reg service classes vs group. Never have. I am no longer teaching them in my home as I have in the past due to the risk now. I'll let people know when I am ready to start again. When I do, if you want a class, just let me know, give me some dates you can make it, and it'll happen. See more

I have strict policies on who I accept as students. All of these are guided by one primary goal. The safety of the student, myself, and now I have to consider my loved ones and those of my students. As a result I have created a new policy to deal with the current situation the world is facing. This is that policy. Some may want to consider it for themselves or when thinking about further training. There is also a financial component for myself and the students. That can't be ...ignored. It is also part of mitigating risk. "UDM Aquatics COVID 19 Policy Update As of July 7th, 2020, my regular job has instituted a new policy that requires all employees traveling to designated locations described as Covid-19 hot spots to inform their supervisor about such travel. In addition to this, I am required to self-quarantine for 14 days without pay and provide 2 negative test results for the virus before I can return to work, also at my expense. As a result, monitoring state and local guidelines will be done for the foreseeable future. Should any state or locality institute measures that require quarantine for visitors, restrict travel, or put rules in force that would impact classes, it may be necessary to cancel or postpone such training. I cannot financially afford to take the measures my regular employer requires to return to work to teach a class in a designated hot zone. Regardless of what some may think, this policy is guided by science and is what I will rely on to decide my travel limits in the future for training. Right now, it seems that all scheduled training is a go. Should that change, I will make every effort to inform you of my decision promptly. This is why I am not collecting deposits for classes, as is my usual process. When making arrangements for lodging, travel, meals, etc. for training, I urge you to do so with the option of having those arrangements result in refunds for any amounts of money paid. This is an inconvenience, yes, but a necessary one given the current state of the virus. My employer is keeping us updated on locations they feel will fall under this requirement. This guidance has the possibility of changing on very short notice, so cancellations may happen quickly. I am sorry about this, but I have no choice but to make this decision to ensure my physical and financial safety as well as the safety of my students and our loved ones. The virus is no joke. It kills people, and even if it doesn’t kill you or me, we could unknowingly infect a loved one. I am not willing to take that chance. I see some in the industry ready to push trips and classes to areas that are high risk. That’s not me. I would seriously question the judgment of anyone who would be willing to take that risk. Thanks for understanding, James A. Lapenta SDI/TDI Instructor 16810