Perhaps you have been involved in an accident and now suffer from limited mobility, or perhaps you have lived with a disability all your life. Whatever the case may be, you may very well be able to learn to dive and enjoy fascinating underwater adventures. SCUBA diving is much easier and safer than it ever was before, thanks to a variety of great devices; and people with varying degrees of physical limitation have found an incredible sense of freedom by learning to dive. Here is some helpful information to assist with planning for some amazing experiences.
SCUBA Training
Basic SCUBA Training for people with disabilities is much like it is for people who live without physical limitations. Training focuses on teaching you how to breathe underwater using compressed air or mixed gas blends and regulators, propelling yourself through the water, and learning how to stay neutrally buoyant so you can enjoy safe diving. You will learn basics, like how to clear your mask and how to use your snorkel. Don’t worry – you won’t be doing any of this alone. All divers are warned of the dangers of diving without a buddy, and for divers with physical limitations, a well-trained buddy or a pair of buddies are a must. Dive instructors can teach your buddies how to provide you with whatever assistance you will need, plus, they will provide them with instruction on dealing with a variety of underwater emergencies. If you have a friend or a partner who doesn’t dive, taking SCUBA classes together is a great way to add another dimension to your relationship.
Once you are comfortable in the water, you can work your way toward higher certifications, so you can dive deeper, explore shipwrecks and caves, and visit some of the most exciting dive sites in the world.
Equipment
Equipment for diving with disabilities is very much like standard SCUBA equipment. When we dive, we all face the same main set of challenges; that is, we need to breathe underwater, we’ve got to propel ourselves along, and we have to be well-prepared for whatever conditions exist in the underwater environment. To that end, a variety of different regulator styles, full face masks, and integrated buoyancy control devices have been developed. So have diver propulsion vehicles in a variety of styles, which allow even those with extremely limited mobility to enjoy diving. Wetsuits and drysuits, gloves, hoods, fins, and boots are all items that most divers end up investing in, but much of the other equipment can be rented until you’re ready to invest in your own.
Modifications and enhancements to standard dive gear make diving possible for people who are paraplegic or quadriplegic, people who are without legs, arms, or both, and people with a wide range of other limiting conditions. With the help of qualified buddies and tailored equipment, nearly anyone can dive. There are even ventilator assisted dive systems available for people who need help with breathing.
Physical Fitness
As many athletes who have overcome physical limitations can attest, nearly anyone is capable of attaining a higher level of physical fitness. The level of fitness required for diving varies greatly depending on the conditions you plan to dive in. For most recreational divers who only spend time underwater while on vacation, a minimal level of cardiovascular fitness suffices. These divers stay in shallow water, and enjoy simple, relaxing scenic dives. Other divers find great joy in working hard to gain greater fitness and acclimate their bodies to diving in cold, deep water. Luckily, this is something everyone, regardless of physical capacity, can work toward; we all start out at varying levels.
A simple trip to the doctor for a dive physical is required before you start diving. If you think you might be able to dive, talk to your doctor about it; just be sure that he or she understands that there are millions of disabled divers around the world. It may be a good idea to talk to a local dive instructor before you go so that he or she can give you some insight as to what you’ll need to do to enjoy safe diving.
Other Considerations
Divers as a group tend to be friendly and gregarious folks. We all have stories to tell about specific challenges that we have overcome during training and while diving; many of us have had to overcome a variety of fears and phobias in order to become competent divers. Some of us still worry each time we get into the water. Yet, the freedom and peace we find in the blue world of silence is simply incomparable. It gives us an entirely new sense of appreciation for the planet and the many fantastic creatures that wait just below the surface.
No matter what challenges you face, it is very likely that you can overcome them. Nick Vujicic, born with neither arms nor legs, swims and dives, and is a world-renowned motivational speaker. In his book, Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life (Random House, 2010), he speaks about his own experiences with diving and many other sports. He is an inspiration to everyone and has motivated countless people with disabilities of their own to expand their lives by learning how to dive and participate in other activities other people thought they might never be able to do.
With diving, you can expand your life, learn to take amazing underwater photos and videos, and even help others learn how to free themselves from physical limitations, if only for short stretches of time. You can fly weightless, make new friends, and give yourself an entire new set of goals to accomplish. Diving is good for your mind, body, and spirit. It’s a wonderful way to experience another aspect of life, one that anyone who dives is privileged to get to see. Training and diving does represent an investment in both time and money, but the rewards are amazing. So, get a buddy or two, and learn to dive! You’ll be amazed at how quickly the learning process goes, and before long, you can explore the planet in a whole new way.