I've kinda noticed that may be some interest here to Scuba. For starters, I've been diving over 50 years and teaching for 30+ years. I still continue in spite of my disabilities (peripheral neuropathy...mostly a wheel chair person)
First off, there are few disabilities that would not be advisable for diving. Cardiopulmonary & Seizures are the main problems. Diabetes (both type 1 & 2) are manageable but blood sugar levels will decrease due to exposure to higher partial pressures of O2. You breath twice as much O2 at 30ft/10m and 4 times of O2 at 100ft/30m.
People with mobility issues see the real benefits of diving. I have taught high level quads and amputees to dive. I even worked with injured soldiers that had everything from multiple amputations to TBI's.
Underwater you are taught to become weightless. For me, I am completely mobile underwater...though I have to use a wheelchair or crutches & braces on land, that goes away underwater. Sometimes it a real challenge getting to the water but the full mobility is worth the additional challenge!
I can do beach entries using my crutches...my wetsuit fells the same as my braces though I prefer boat entries. The boat crews are very accommodating. I always request the seat closest to the water and smaller, lighter air cylinders. If you need help getting in and out of the water...the boat crews are very helpful...me, I stay independent.
If this sparks interest...I come up with further posts!
I would love to go diving cbdives, I think I could do it ok because I can use my legs. But unfortunately I live 1500 kms from the nearest water. If I win my compensation case I can come to Florida and you can teach me.
Hello CB, This is definitely on my bucket list. I had been researching to become certified and found a company 90 miles north of me in Syracuse, New York. I plan on getting certified this spring/summer. I hope my wife decides to get her certification too. She is a little scared.
I would really enjoy to hook up with you sometime next fall . I will keep in touch if you have a personal email you can send me. My email is joemonte@nep.net. I appreciate it. Best Regards, Joe
Also Joe...I'm scuba instructor...If you all can make it this way for a week or so I can certify you here. Most of your classwork is done online...all you have to focus on then is 3 pool sessions and 100 min in the open water (3 to 4 dives). Once your wife learns more details about diving her fears will subside...remember, coconuts kill more people than sharks!
I copied this PADI's Facebook page...PADI is a certifying agency
Why learn to scuba dive?
There are many reasons to learn to scuba dive. It may be something to mark off your bucket list, a reason to travel or even a way to escape the effects of gravity.
If you’ve been thinking about it and haven’t taken the plunge, here is a list of reasons to learn to dive.
Explore parts of the world that many don’t get to see
The ocean covers 71 percent of the earth’s surface. If your goal is to “see the world” then you’ll need to learn to scuba dive.
You have a place to escape everyday technology and Zen out
There are no phone calls to answer or emails to respond to underwater. Your attention is focused on breathing and what you see through your mask (which most of the time is pretty awesome!).
Experience weightlessness
Is gravity always bringing you down? Learn to dive and feel the sweet spot of neither sinking nor floating.
Improve your equalisation skills for flights and mountain drives
Once you master equalising your ears on a dive, you can do it anywhere.
Relive the vast amount of history that lies beneath the sea
You can explore wrecks that sit at the bottom of the ocean, including World War ships and planes.
Master of non-verbal communications
Scuba divers learn to communicate underwater without speaking. The “this way to the exit” hand signal is very handy when you want to signal your date that it’s time to leave the party!
Impress others with your newly acquired knowledge
You’ll learn about PSI and compressed air in your scuba cylinder. Since you know an empty tank weighs less than full tank, you’ll know that a deflated football weighs less than one fully inflated.
You can one-up your friends on social media
This is especially useful if you have a lot of friends who run marathons…
You know that “Keep Calm and Carry On” is a real thing
After you get certified you’ll understand the importance of making your air supply last. The trick is to breathe slowly and move deliberately. Good advice for the surface too.
No Butiki...that thing can't eat me...it's just a jellyfish!
I remember being stung by a Portuguese man-of-war when I did a long-distance swim as a teenager--pain was awful and injuries took a long time to heal. When I first experienced the nerve pain of paralysis, it reminded me of that... Needless to say, jellyfish are not my favorite creatures.
Seizures and CP risk, well I'm out for underwater adventures, and probably wave adventures, too. Major bummer...but I just have to find new passions--wheelchair mushing is looking pretty good!