Kristin Janise manages dive safety and mermaid performances at Silverton’s 117,000-gallon aquarium, where daily shows and interactive marine life experiences draw families and visitors Thursday through Sunday
Silverton Casino’s aquarium has become a unique Las Vegas attraction, drawing crowds with its daily feeding shows and live mermaid performances. At the center of these underwater operations is Kristin Janise, the aquatics safety manager who also occasionally dons a mermaid tail herself. Janise oversees the safety of divers, mermaids, and aquarists in the 117,000-gallon tank, ensuring that both performers and marine life are protected during the aquarium’s busy schedule.
Visitors can catch feeding demonstrations at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. daily, while mermaids swim in the tank Thursday through Sunday for eight hours each day. The aquarium’s blend of entertainment and education has made it a family favorite, with children and adults alike marveling at the tropical fish, stingrays, and the surprise appearance of a mermaid blowing bubble kisses from behind the glass.
How Janise Found Her Path to Aquatic Safety
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Janise’s passion for water began with summers spent swimming and snorkeling in Lake Mead. After earning her degree in South Carolina, she returned to Southern Nevada, bringing with her a love for marine science and a commitment to aquatic safety. Janise is a PADI-certified Master Scuba Diver and instructor, and she operates a local business, lvdiveadventures.com, offering scuba certifications and dive excursions for residents and visitors.
Her expertise extends beyond the aquarium. Janise is also a public safety diver instructor and volunteers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s search and rescue dive team, where she participates in monthly trainings and underwater search operations at Lake Mead.
Behind the Scenes: Training and Safety Protocols
Every member of Silverton’s aquarium dive team, including mermaids, must be scuba-certified. Mermaids are required to have open water certification, as they breathe compressed air at the bottom of the tank. Safety divers must hold rescue certifications and participate in regular rescue drills every three to four months, practicing emergency procedures such as CPR, oxygen administration, and water extractions. Janise emphasizes the importance of muscle memory and preparedness to ensure quick, effective responses in case of emergencies.
Lake Mead Diving and Public Safety Work
Janise’s experience at Lake Mead has shaped her approach to both recreational and public safety diving. While visibility in the lake varies by season, she notes that winter offers clearer water, while summer conditions can be challenging. The lake features dive sites like Wreck Alley, where divers can explore sunken boats at depths up to 130 feet—the recreational limit. As part of Metro’s search and rescue team since 2019, Janise has assisted in evidence recovery and vehicle searches, often working in low-visibility conditions and training with blackout masks to simulate real-world scenarios.
Marine Life Education and Conservation
Janise is passionate about educating the public on marine life and conservation. She encourages divers and aquarium visitors not to touch or disturb underwater creatures, emphasizing that even seemingly lifeless coral plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Many of the aquarium’s fish, such as the porcupine pufferfish, are target-trained for feedings and display surprising intelligence. Janise reminds guests that all water in the desert eventually leads to the ocean, underscoring the importance of pollution prevention and responsible interaction with aquatic environments.
What Visitors Should Know
Silverton’s aquarium is open to the public, with mermaid performances scheduled Thursday through Sunday and feeding shows twice daily. The attraction offers a rare opportunity to see professional divers and mermaids interact with marine life in a controlled, educational setting. For those interested in diving, Janise’s business provides certification courses and guided trips, while her work with local law enforcement highlights the broader role of diving in public safety across Southern Nevada.
