Local Roots & Background
Jeff Hirschman is a lifelong Long Island resident and the institutional lead at QC Scuba, which he opened in 2006 as a full-service shop dedicated to training, sales, service and travel. His deep Atlantic training roots date back to the late 1980s, where he pioneered structural open-water tracking lines alongside close FDNY service peers in Sheepshead Bay, followed closely by deep certifications on many popular NE Wrecks including the Andrea Doria, Texas Towers, U869, and the Coimbra. Jeff worked closely with NYPD, FDNY, and many local Public Safety groups diving at Beach 8th Street in Far Rockaway, out to Silver Lake in Staten Island, and running drills by canarsie pier to name a few.
Holding a specialized degree in Physical Education from Queens College, where he also served as president of the scuba club, Jeff combines structural kinetic training methods with deep-sea decompression management to provide world-class, patient instruction for all skill profiles.
Mentors & Teaching Philosophy
Jeff sought out top educators from the start. He credits Queens College professor Dr. H. Harry Hoehn as a lifelong mentor, and studied under Dr. Alex Brylske, instructor trainer Robert Raimo, cave instructors Jarrod Jablonski and Larry Green, and Special Agent Wexler for public safety diving skills. A TDI member since its 1994 inception and an SDI member since its 1998 inception, he teaches with patience and adapts his approach to how each student learns, believing education is a lifelong journey. His favorite class is still Discover Scuba and Open Water, introducing new divers to the underwater world. Read his SDI Ambassador profile (opens in a new tab).
Specialized Credentials
- SDI/TDI/ERDI Leader: Elite Instructor Trainer Ambassador (opens in a new tab) active since TDI's founding parameters in 1994.
- Gas Engineering: Blending Technician Instructor specializing in pure Oxygen configurations and complex gas-switching models.
- Safety Systems: Direct DAN Instructor Trainer handling advanced Neurological Assessments and Adult/Infant CPR protocols.
- Instructor Across Agencies: Instructor and instructor trainer credentials with PADI, SDI, TDI, ERDI, SSI, IANTD and DAN, plus Red Cross, Medic First Aid and Emergency First Response.
- Public Safety & Service: Public Safety scuba instructor trainer and technician for multiple scuba manufacturers' life-support lines.
- Firearms Training: NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, certified NRA Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun Instructor and Certified Glock Armorer, and owner of QC Hunting & Outdoor Sports.
- IANTD Instructor Trainer #247: Instructor Trainer with IANTD in addition to his SDI/TDI/ERDI credentials and role as SDI Course Director.
- PADI Master Instructor & IDC Staff Instructor: Teaches at the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) level, in addition to his SDI/TDI/ERDI Instructor Trainer credentials and role as SDI Course Director.
- Rebreather Programs: Rebreather diver, instructor and instructor trainer credentials on the MkVI Discovery / Se7en and Prism2 platforms:
- Prism2 Air Diluent Deco Diver
- MkVI Discovery / Se7en Air Diluent Diver
- Prism2 Mixed Gas Instructor
- Prism2 Helitrox Decompression Instructor
- Prism2 Air Diluent Instructor
- Prism2 Air Diluent Deco Instructor
- MkVI Discovery / Se7en Air Diluent Instructor
- MkVI Discovery / Se7en Air Diluent Deco Instructor
- MkVI Discovery / Se7en 45m Helitrox Instructor
- MkVI Discovery / Se7en Air Diluent Instructor Trainer
- MkVI Discovery / Se7en Air Diluent Deco Instructor Trainer
View Jeff's complete certification record (79 certifications) →
Contact Jeff
Questions about training, instructor development or rebreather programs? Email Jeff directly.
jeff@qcscuba.com