Diveable. Diving With Disabilities

Nottingham Scuba supports diveable . Div is an organisation that assists persons with challenges , either physically or mentally to experience scuba diving

It all started when diver, businessman, and Round Table / Rotary member Darren Brookes met Miles Hilton-Barber, the blind explorer. They spoke about scuba diving and Miles said he was determined to try it. Darren involved a diving instructor, who trained Miles as well as Mike McKenzie and Caroline Casey of the Around the world in eighty ways project which was a world wide event to highlight the possibilities for persons who are physically challenged.

Dive-able was registered as a charity in 2009 to continue to offer persons with disabilities the experience of the underwater world. Darren Brookes has recently qualified as an instructor purposely to carry on the good work of the charity after a period of inactivity due to funding . Trustee Darren quotes " It's great I can offer this to persons who wouldn't normally consider scuba, before we were beholding outside training agencies.

The importance of such an activity cannot be measured, as disabilities disappear under water and all become equal. Weightlessness, non contact with wheelchairs and the sense of achievement all add to the therapeutic benefits of scuba diving with a disability.



Miles’ Story

Miles says about his dive in the Red Sea: "Before I had never felt comfortable in the water. But now I just found it an amazing experience, where my equipment became like an extension of my body. I felt at home underwater, almost like I belonged there with the fishes". "As soon as we got down I became aware of a light tinkling sound all around – parrot fish chewing the coral and all different forms of sea life crawling around on the reef. ”

“I held on lightly to Darren's wrist – he was my buddy. It gave me a sense of spatial awareness, telling me what direction we are going in. I also had a little computer that told me things like depth and whether it was time for a safety stop. " "I’m sold on scuba diving. I recommend it to everyone – give it a go, chances are you can probably do it too. ”

Mike’s Story

Mike has no legs and no feeling below his chest level, so for him diving was always going to be a bit different.
He says: "Basically I had to use my arms where other people use their legs. It’s really hard on the arms, but I got a pair of webbed gloves, which acted like fins and gave me more propulsion. ”

Another problem for Mike was that without the use of his legs his position in the water is vertical and not horizontal as usual: “We worked out a weighting combination to get my chest down and my lower end up. "
Mike started with an open water dive after pool sessions. He says: “Being thrown off the back of a boat for the first time was perhaps a little worrying. But once I hit the water and bobbed up to the surface, I felt totally at home. "

Caroline’s Story

Ten years ago, Caroline was told she would never be allowed to dive because she failed an eye test and is registered blind. But now, Caroline has her diving ticket: "It’s a dream come true. " Caroline says about the Red Sea night dive: "It was exhilarating to be down there like a fish, swimming, breathing and moving silently. It is an almost spiritual experience. You just float, your mind shuts off and your are completely taken with the sea world. " Miles, Mike and Caroline say diving is “the best thing in the world”. That’s why since that trip to the Red Sea, Diveable has continued taking disabled people diving.




Dive-able are looking to raise funds for equipment , pool hire time , and a compressor, and If you wish to be involved either as a volunteer or come along and try it for yourself contact Darren on 0777 2277222. If you are a retired diver who can donate equipment it would be very much appreciated.

Why not come and join us , why would you train with Divedude ? We have a corporate and social responsibility and offer our services to persons with disabilities.
Regular diving holidays and activities and hopefully a commercial base soon . See www. dive-able. co. uk