Many handicapped and disabled individuals have discovered that scuba diving offers them new possibilities. With the help of specially modified scuba equipment and the right training, many disabled divers are leaving their handicaps behind for a while, discovering the unparalleled joy and freedom diving offers to all who enjoy it. Some of the handicaps with which diving is possible include blindness, paraplegia, and spinal cord injuries. If you are disabled or know someone who is, the joys of diving may be within reach.
The Benefits of Scuba Diving
As a combined sport and relaxing recreational activity, scuba diving strengthens participants mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. It provides an incredible connection with the natural world that’s hard to attain in other environments while providing opportunities for discovery. It strengthens the body and inspires the mind, and it provides a certain level of challenge which many find enjoyable. Since scuba diving requires a certain level of physical fitness, people who have a strong desire to dive find that they are able to push themselves to new levels they may never have believed possible. When the rewards are great and the desire is present, the effort we’re willing to put forth really can be amazing!
Divers benefit from this sport in many ways:
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Diving is a form of recreational therapy. Paralyzed divers often report that they feel changes within their bodies, often experiencing sensations in paralyzed areas. Some divers who are paralyzed from the waist down have been able to regain sensation in the hip and leg areas which increases with each dive.
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Although able-bodied divers need to be good swimmers, people with severe disabilities including missing limbs can be assisted by aides. Each individual’s circumstances are different.
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Since muscular strength is an important tool for effective diving, those who decide to participate feel encouraged to work out. In turn, weight training improves muscle tone and increases the participant’s level of overall well-being.
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Diving is a sport that demands a high level of focus. This can help to alleviate the stresses and anxieties experienced in everyday life.
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Divers who experience chronic pain have discovered that their pain is often greatly reduced while diving. Others have discovered that their pain evaporates completely during dives.
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Scuba diving allows for an excellent cardiovascular workout that isn’t overly challenging, and that provides for an outstanding workout that doesn’t place any stress on the joints.
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One of the main problems many disabled people experience is social isolation. Diving is a highly social activity during which participants meet a variety of other individuals from various walks of life. Increasing social interaction and participating in fun activities with others is an excellent way to improve life quality overall.
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The more one dives, the greater his or her level of endurance becomes. Increased endurance improves overall health – in people with and without disabilities!
Scuba Diving Clubs and Training Organizations
There are a number of clubs organizations which specialize in providing people with disabilities the training and assistance needed to experience scuba diving. Here are some examples:
- International Association For Handicapped Divers (IAHD) (As of the time of writing, this is the only ISO certified training organization with courses for handicapped divers)
- National Instructors Association for Divers with Disabilities (NIADD)
- Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA)
- Amazing Seals
- Arizona Disabled Scuba Divers Foundation
- Disabled Diver training in the San Diego area
- Eels on Wheels Adaptive Scuba Club
- Houston Disabled Scuba Divers Association
- Southern Wheelchair Adventurers Association of Galveston-Houston
- Club Challenge
- Pacific Northwest Scuba Challenge Association
- Persephone Scuba Diving Club
- Diving With Disabilities
- Dis-A-Dive
- Open Waters
- Norges handikapfellesskap in Norway
- Poseidon Handicap Scuba Adventures
- Freedom at Depth, Canada
- Project TIDE (Teenagers in Deep Environments)
If you need assistance with training, contact a scuba shop in your area; they may be able to put you in touch with someone who can help you make the first steps toward achieving your dream of diving.
Diver Training Courses for People with Disabilities
There are a number of diver training courses available for people with disabilities. These include the following:
IAHD Courses – IAHD constructs courses specifically for individuals with disabilities. The courses they offer are tailored to the abilities of participants. At the courses’ conclusion, each diver has the opportunity to fulfill a checklist of practical and theoretical goals. Based on the diver’s skillset, a certification will be awarded which will indicate the circumstances in which a diver is allowed to dive along with the number of assistants that must accompany the diver on all future dives. IAHD offers courses for people with physical disabilities as well as for those with mental disabilities.
In addition to IAHD courses, the following opportunities maybe available in your area:
Confined Water Diving – Training and certification for diving only in pools. This is for people who seek exercise, therapy and fun.
Open Water Handicapped Diving Course – Diver certification here is based on self-sufficiency in open water dive conditions. It teaches the basic skills and knowledge to dive safely in open water conditions. This is a performance based course and certification is only given if the diver performs very well.
Advanced Handicapped Diver Course – A certification in this course calls for the diver, along with his or her instructor, to perform at least 5 dives successfully. It equips the diver with better skill to survive open water conditions.
Multilevel Training - This is a multilevel certification system where the core focus is on diver safety. There are three levels of certification for divers. All are based on merit.
Dive Buddy Course - Here disabled or able people can learn the art of helping another person, particularly one with a disability, dive safely.
Disabled-Friendly Dive Destinations
When physically challenged people dive, the environmental conditions must be conducive to the act of diving, as well as to peripheral activities. Trained professionals and high safety precautions as well as modified safety equipment are available at destinations deemed “Disabled diver friendly.” Here are some of the world’s best destinations for divers with disabilities:
- Barc Reef Beach Resort, Cayman Barc
- Unique Water Sports, Aruba
- Divi Flamingo, Bonaire
- Bay Island Beach Resort, Roatan
- Cobalt Coast Resort/DiveTech, Grand Cayman
- Hotel Cozumel, Cozumel
- Aqua Safari, Cozumeleno
- Mayan Palace, Playa Del Carmen (S. of Cancun)
- UNEXSO, Bahamas
Many other destinations offer disabilities for accommodating divers with disabilities, and the number of destinations available increases on a regular basis. Popular destinations such as Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Netherlands are among the top providers.
Because of accidents, illnesses, and congenital challenges, approximately 15% of the world’s people have disabilities. While this means that some activities are not safe or suitable, it doesn’t mean that adventure is out of bounds. With scuba diving, many people with disabilites are able to enjoy better health, make new friends, and see some of the most beautiful sights this planet has to offer. If you or someone close to you has a disability, we encourage you to look into diving. New challenges, boundless joy, and a renewed appreciation for life’s wonders are just some of the benefits it offers!