Well, What About Us?
The staff at Family Fun SCUBA & Snorkel and Missoula Scuba & Snorkel are certified PADI/SSI SCUBA diving professionals, and nice people to boot.
The great thing about us is we are all fun-loving people that are addicted to Scuba and sharing our love with he underwater world. Our Dive Professionals are available to assist you in all aspects & levels of your SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling. A personal and friendly approach always ensures you’ll receive the attention and customized SCUBA diving programs you have come to expect from a premier organization.
Even though we are located in Billings and Missoula, MT, we commonly serve folks within a 3+ hour radius of Billings. In Montana, we have certified people in multiple areas including, but not limited to: Missoula, Drummond, Stevensville, Thompson Falls, Anaconda, Laurel, Red Lodge, Butte, Roundup, Big Timber, Bozeman, Great Falls, Harlowton, Lewistown, Hardin, Forsyth, Anaconda, Plains, Fromberg, Belgrade, Bridger, Colstrip, Columbus, Livingston, Bozeman, Mikes City, Helena and more. In Wyoming it includes, but isn’t limited to: Cody, Powell, Sheridan, Ranchester and more!
Working with Scuba Divers is always special, BUT working with young Scuba Divers is beyond special! It’s so rewarding to help kids learn to have fun and learn mastery of underwater skills. Children are so eager to learn and thrive for success. We can meet and exceed all of your needs and theirs!
Our shop has the largest supply of in-house regulators, computers, BCD’s, wet-suits, submersible pressure gauges (SPG’s), fins, masks and more so you don’t have to wait for them to be ordered! Scuba is supposed to be fun and we can provide the equipment to optimize your experiences!
There’s a wide variety of Scuba classes and experiences that children as young as 8 years old can get involved in! As a matter of fact, PADI even offers the ability for Boy Scouts to earn a Scuba Merit Badge which very few scouts have! The legacy that we bestow to our children by opening up the “other” 71% of the world allows them to become certified Scuba divers. Scuba provides unparalleled experiences and an adventure that they will remember for the rest of their entire lives. The owner of FFS&S, Marc Dean has said many times that “the two things he loves to do the most in the world is dive with his family” and to allow others to do the same!
Our Staff
Marc Dean
OWNER, PADI MASTER INSTRUCTOR, HANDICAPPED SCUBA INSTRUCTOR & EQUIPMENT TECH
Marc is a former United Sates Marine & is currently a PADI Master Instructor and SSI Assistant Instructor Trainer, & Emergency First Responder Instructor. Marc is one of the few Scuba instructor in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming to receive the PADI Elite Instructor Award in 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 by doing all of the certifications himself from start to finish! Marc was trained as an instructor at the renowned “Rainbow Reef Dive Center” in Key Largo, FL. His lead instructor was no other than Ross Neill, one of the top PADI instructors in the world (multi-time instructor of the year)! Marc enjoys teaching all levels of Scuba, working with those with disabilities and instructing military groups. Marc is married and has three children. Guess what they all do together? SCUBA!
BRANDON POPE
PADI DIVE MASTER, EQUIPMENT TECH
Brandon Pope began calling Billings home in 1996. This proud papa loves working with kids and volunteered on the Billings Little Guy Football Board and coached for 7 years. Brandon will do anything to get in the water! With that being said, he has taken part in the Polar Plunge for the last two years to support The Special Olympics. When Brandon began Scuba Diving, he was instantly hooked! He looks forward to introducing our youth to the “underwater world”, as well as expanding his training and knowledge as a diver. Brandon is a PADI Dive Master, Master Diver and Equipment tech.
CHRIS WONG
DIVE MASTER, PADI DIVEMASTER, DIVEMASTER HANDICAPPED SCUBA ASSOCIATION, EQUIPMENT TECH
Chris is welcomed addition to FFS&S and a lot of fun too! Chris is a PADI Dive Master and certified repair tech. Chris is a certified in Search & Recovery, Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, Altitude Diving, Boat Diving, Peak Performance Buoyancy and more.
Vladimir Gutierrez
PADI DIVE MASTER, DIVE MASTER - HANDICAPPED SCUBA ASSOCIATION and EQUIPMENT TECH
“Vlad” is an obsessive Scuba Diver and is a student of everything and anything Scuba. Vlad is fluent in English, Spanish and Hebrew. He dreams of opening his own dive shop in Mexico. Outside of diving, Vlad owns a successful painting company Montana Pro Painters. Most importantly, Vladimir is a proud family man and father of four.
Don Purdon
PADI Dive Master and SSI Assistant Instructor
Don is a former United States Marine and currently a police officer for the Colstrip Police department Don is a father of two great kids who recently earned their PADI Open Water Scuba Certifications. Don gained his Open Water Certification September 10th 2011, the day before the terrorist attack on the United States. Don is a team player and works at the shop, but also wants to promote the underwater world in the greater Colstrip area.
EMILY BRUCE
PADI Dive Master in Training, LOCAL OUTREACH / COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Emily comes to FFS&S with a Bachelor’s degree in photography/art and a background in SCUBA. With Emily’s creative art background, she has novel concepts that will take FFS&S to the next level in graphics and photography. Emily also has experience in community outreach and education, that will engage new and innovative ideas to divers and non-divers alike.
Scott Totten
Partner, PADI Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association – Instructor
Scott is a Navy veteran has become a necessary part of the daily goings-on at FFS&S. Scott is a PADI Instructor and SSI Assistant Instructor. Scott is our head equipment tech and cylinder technician. Scott is a partner of the the organizations and an irreplaceable asset.
EARL CUSKER
PARTNER/MASTER SCUBA DIVER
This former Navy Sailor is a new partner to the FFS&S and MS&S Family. Earl comes in with some fantastic ideas on how to promote Scuba, as well as all aquatics! His enthusiasm, know how and love for diving make him a valuable addition to “The Family”! Earl is a PADI Master Scuba Diver
