SCUBA is a hugely popular sport for those with and without disabilities. Besides enjoying the aquatic life, the relaxation, and exploring places you can’t normally go, for people with a disability SCUBA is known as the great equalizer. The weightlessness felt in the water represents a sense of freedom because you can move about in the water freely without your wheelchair. There are no steep ramps or curbs to run into. It is truly an inclusive sport. People with disabilities can dive right along with people without a disability.

Either from accident or disease about 15 percent of the population is statistically classified as “handicapped.” In the United States alone this percentage translates into millions of people, many of whom are fully capable of becoming SCUBA divers. —Quote from HSA (Handicapped SCUBA Association)

About SCUBA
SCUBA stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. If you dreamed about diving while watching Jacques Cousteau on TV when you were little, you are now a little bit closer to that dream. The Handicapped SCUBA Association (HSA) has dedicated itself to improving the physical and social well being of people with disabilities through the sport of SCUBA Diving.

Its mission is assuring that people with disabilities are given the same opportunity to receive quality training, certification, and dive adventures as the able-bodied population. Courses are run in conjunction with the Professional Association of Divers (PADI), National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), and/or Scuba Schools Internationals (SSI).

These agencies have agreed to a common set of requirements for the safe training of individuals with disabilities to achieve the Open Water Dive certification. You need to be comfortable in the water, understand your equipment, and plan your dives safely before you even try out your SCUBA skills in the water. They will be able to train to your individual disability. Anyone who does not have a pressure-related illness, an open wound, use a ventilator, or have a condition that would be a contraindication to this activity, such as asthma or seizures, can enjoy SCUBA.

Equipment:
Dive Mask—allows you to see clearly. Full-face masks with a built in communication device are available for divers with visual impairments or with quadriplegia.

Fins—allow you to swim more efficiently without using your arms (sometimes people without leg mobility will not wear fins, but wear webbed gloves to help propel through the water)

Snorkel—allows you to swim at the surface without using your air supply.

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)—this is a jacket that forms the heart of your gear. It holds your air cylinder; you can inflate and deflate it to allow you to sink slowly, hover, or float comfortably.**Weights are modified to help people with physical disabilities (SCI, amputations, etc). These vests or belts are used to provide balance and control. Dive buddies will help adjust the weight as needed.

Regulator—delivers air from your cylinder to your mouthpiece at exactly the right pressure when you inhale

Cylinder—stores compressed air

Alternate air source—a second mouthpiece connected to the regulator used to share air with your dive buddy.

Exposure suit—wet suits and dry suits insulate you for warmth and protect you from minor scrapes.

Submersible Pressure Gauge (SPG)—also called an air gauge, constantly tells you how much air you have remaining in your cylinder, allowing you to end your dive with enough air.

Dive computer—tracks your depth and tells you how long you can stay at that depth.

To get started it is recommended that you purchase your own personal equipment (dive mask, snorkel, wet suit).  Many Dive Centers allow you to rent the SCUBA unit (tanks, BCD, regulator, SPG). It is common for people who dive often to eventually purchase their own equipment. You should always try before you buy!

There is a huge advantage to owning your own equipment:

• You are more comfortable learning in equipment you chose.
• You understand how your equipment works.
• You are more comfortable using gear fitted for you.
• Divers who own usually dive more.

Choosing Your Gear
There is no “best” gear, however it is important to find the best gear for your needs. It should come from a major SCUBA manufacturer. At the end of the article, several manufacturers will be listed. It is also recommend that you visit a SCUBA Pro Shop, just like you would if you were to try out a new bike or golf clubs. You want to talk with the Diving Professionals so they can recommend items that suit your specific needs.

Also, they can teach you about equipment tune-ups and maintenance needs. They can also tell you which systems work best together. Each piece of equipment has a different function so that collectively they work as a fluid system. In other words, you don’t want to mix apples and oranges.

Get Started
This list is meant to be a general guideline:

1. Get comfortable in the water. This means treading water, build your stamina by swimming laps, practice using your mask in the water, practice swimming underwater. Being unable to swim laps doesn’t mean that you are not able to dive. It simply means that other adaptations will need to be made, such as an additional dive buddy.

2. Get medical clearance. Talk to your physician about SCUBA diving to understand what to be cautious about (medications, pulmonary conditions, temperature regulation).

3. Sign up for a course. This is quite an important step. Whichever program you decide to go through, make sure it is a PADI or NAUI qualified program. Classes provide you with all the necessary information that will make you a safe and competent diver. Through books, videos, and instruction, you will learn proper techniques (such as communications signals and breathing with the regulator) as well as problem solving and emergency skills. And it will give you the confidence and a knowledge base of your equipment before you get in the water. These courses will also provide you plenty of practice time in the water with equipment.

4. Practice diving. This is your time that you learn safety and familiarity with the equipment and will provide you confidence to pass your skills test and to dive in open water. Tests are performance driven. So take as much time to perform the skills as you need. The main goal of all good instructors is to help others become confident, knowledgeable, and safe divers.

5. Go on a trip. Your first trip is usually to complete your certification, which includes a series of open water dives and skills test. There are many HSA programs that organize trips from Bonaire to Grand Cayman Islands to Bali.

What to Expect
The challenge is having everything work together: the flight, the hotel, the dive sites, the dive shops, and the dive boats. It is also important for everyone to work together including you, your dive buddies, the boat staff and the crew. The best advice is to plan a trip with an adaptive SCUBA program, such as Divers @ Sea or Diveheart Foundation. Most likely they have attended a trip there before and are aware of any potential barriers.

SCUBA Resources
Divers @ Sea www.diversatsea.com. Bert and his friendly Atlanta-based crew offer a monthly Adaptive Discover SCUBA class as well as an annual Dive Tour to locations like Cayman Brac and Bonaire.

Dive Pirate’s Foundation www.divepirates.org. Their Adaptive SCUBA code is “We don’t need no stinking wheelchair underwater!” and “Anything worth having is worth working for!”

The Diveheart Foundation www.diveheart.org. This is an Illinois-based CAN-Do spirited group that offers support and dive programs for people with disabilities.

Eels on Wheels www.eels.org. This Adaptive SCUBA Program in Austin, TX, provides people with disabilities the opportunity and resources to dive at their own ability level.

Handicapped SCUBA Association (HSA) www.hsascuba.com. The leading authority on recreational diving for people with disabilities.

Professional Association of Divers International (PADI) www.padi.com.  It is the largest and most popular diver training agency.

National Association of Underwater Instructors  www.nauiww.org. NAUI Worldwide is the oldest and second largest diver training agency in the world that offers a wide range of dive courses.

International Association of Handicapped Divers (IAHD) www.iahd.org. This is an international diving organization based in the Netherlands with programs and training all over the world.

*Pictures were provided from Divers @ Sea. Thank you.

Feel free to share other SCUBA organizations and information you know about in the comments section.

See Related Articles
Want to try another water sport?  See Adaptive Water Skiing for People with Disabilities and discover how to get started in this thrilling sport.

Learn about other accessible sports and programs for people with disabilities, in Adaptive Adventures for People with Disabilities.