One finds out during a career of active diving, whether that be for sport or professional, that you really zero in on a specific durability, longevity, and quality of the equipment they use. Santi and Avatar have been a pillar in that search and they continue to prove, through innovation and reliability that it is a worthy brand to have in the personal dive locker.
Orie J. Braun is an accomplished underwater Explorer, Instructor, and Member of the Explorers Club. With recent exploration projects ranging from the chilly waters of Cave Exploration in Alaska to diving the sunken Wrecks off the coast of Kodiak Island and the Baltic Sea, his experience and passion for diving continues to contribute to the far reaches of Human discovery.
He has been in the diving industry for ~20 years. Orie started from a local dive shop as a volunteer expanding his knowledge and expertise in the industry and transitioning to the role of COO of Halcyon Manufacturing Inc. in High Springs, Florida. During that time has been an active Instructor for Global Underwater Explorers (GUE), Instructor Trainer for Scuba Schools International (SSI) and President of the National Association for Cave Diving. He continues to train and mentor students, instructors, public safety teams and recovery teams around the world. Orie’s community reach is being the active Regional Coordinator and Training Chair for the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery (IUCRR) team in Florida and Alaska. He continues to support and work with different Government groups and Private diving groups around the globe.
Orie contributes and aids different training organizations by establishing safe diving protocols and procedures. He has contributed and has sat on the board for training agencies over the course of his career. This has led to furthering his knowledge and understanding of the equipment needed to conduct mission-based dives safely and accurately while still focusing on the fun and exciting sport that all can enjoy around the world. Through the ~20 years of experience and industry knowledge Orie continues to link the passion and love of diving together. One of his favorite personal quotes is “Diving is an adventure, a calling, a dream come true.” This encapsulates the feeling on every dive. Whether that be Cave diving in the frigid cold temperatures or spending stacked hours of deco after a beautiful and long dive at Ginnie Springs to the simple reef diving in the warm tropics. Orie’s passion and determination to share this with everyone around him continues to groom and grow new adventurers and explorers while passing on bits of the history of his career along the way.
Orie is a loving husband and nurturing father when he is not diving. His family is always a high priority, and they continue to drive his passion and growth in his career each day. When he is not underwater, Orie is enjoying countless land and sea adventures with his family. He is currently rebuilding a Harley Davidson and an antique Ford Pickup in his downtime. This may not help the diving industry, but they look really cool!
Orie continues to travel the world and explore the hidden treasures that surround us while staying involved in product development and research to aid Explorers of current and future generations.
