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Deptherapy and my road to recovery

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I joined the army in 2006 and was part of an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) Regiment. In my last year in the Army I ruptured my ACL playing rugby for the regimental team and this eventually led to me being medically discharged in 2012. The sudden exit from everything I had known since I was 17 affected me more than I ever think I realised until I went on the Deptherapy trip in May 2017.

Prior to the knee injuries I was a very happy young man and I had everything I ever wanted in the world, living life to the full. I would rarely be sat still and always on adventures!

Introduction to Deptherapy

My introduction to Deptherapy came through my old team commander in the Army, Luke Simpson. Luke put me in touch with a man called Richard Cullen, who apparently ran a charity that helped rehabilitate injured ex-forces with both mental and physical injuries. As I spoke to Richard my feelings of a lack of self-worth really came to the forefront. I didn’t believe I deserved to be taken on by the charity and I used excuses like “there are people with a lot worse injuries than me.” Luckily for me, Richard read me like a book and saw straight through my excuses and spent the next year convincing me I was worth the time.

Motorcycle accident

So, Richard had convinced me to go on a Deptherapy trip, I had done my Open Water theory and was starting to get really excited (which is a feeling that I hadn’t had in a long time). Two weeks prior to my flight I was riding my motorcycle down a road on a leisurely ride with my girlfriend and we were involved in a pretty bad crash.

This put me into a very dark place in regards to mental illness (PTSD, guilt about my girlfriend’s illnesses, feelings of low self-worth/brain injury) and also pain from physical injuries that restricted me from being my normal self.

Through this whole chapter of my life, the Deptherapy charity, in particular Richard Cullen, supported me and pulled me out of any dark places.

Egypt trip with Deptherapy

As time led up to my second attempt of going onto a Deptherapy trip, I was really struggling to remember the theory that I was reading due to my brain injury.

Eventually the time came, I travelled to Gatwick airport and started meeting the guys who would turn my life in a better direction. We made our introductions and headed off on the plane. I was anxious about whether people would like me. Would I pass any of the tests? Would my physical injuries limit or stop my ability to dive? I had a lot of overwhelming worries.

In terms of the diving, I found that from day one in the pool as soon as my head went underwater nothing above sea level mattered any more. I still had a lot of mental issues but I didn’t think or worry about them. I was free from anxiety, in a state of peace and tranquillity that I have never found anywhere else in the world.

The pool training for my PADI Open Water brought the group closer together and started conversations flowing. The one thing that the Armed Forces are brilliant at is speaking openly, with no boundaries on topic, even if the topic has a stigma attached to it within civilian life, such as PTSD. As the week progressed, we had presentations and open talks about overcoming adversity that really helped my mental state and my drive to get back to the old, fun me. I would like to mention Steve Atkin here, who even with his own issues, had an open and frank conversation with me which essentially turned my mental health around.

Everyone is encouraged to take part in the ‘Deptherapy Buddy Peer Support Scheme.’ You can choose your Buddy from either one of the troops who have been part of the Deptherapy programme for some time or one of the Instructors and Support Team. They have all been trained in Mental Health First Aid. Richard said it made sense for him to be my Buddy as we have known each other for two years. The idea is that you have someone to turn to, to talk to and who will support you both on the programme and when you return home.

Here and now…

If someone wanted to know what Deptherapy did for me I would say…

Deptherapy provides an enriched environment where mental and physical injuries do not restrict. The charity teaches you that you can do, that you can speak your problems through which helps your wellbeing and self-worth. Scuba diving and the Deptherapy programme have shown me that I can do whatever I put my mind to!

I have turned a corner and hope to continue doing this, and diving.

Jon Beever blogs at: https://jonbeever.wordpress.com

Find out more about the work of Deptherapy at: http://www.deptherapy.co.uk

Jon Beever qualified as a PADI AOWD on the recent May 2017 Deptherapy training programme in Egypt. After a medical discharge from the British Army, Jon’s introduction to scuba diving was curtailed by a serious motorcycle accident. Now having firmly caught the diving bug, Jon is currently planning his Drysuit course with another Deptherapy programme member.

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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idc

Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.

Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.

Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:

  • 12 April
  • 5 July,
  • 20 September
  • 29 November

Partnership with Casita Palma

If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.

Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.

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Scubility: Achieving Success through Adaptability

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scubility

Introduction to Scubility

Being a scuba diving professional, I am always fascinated by the beauty of the underwater world, filled with colorful coral and a variety of marine species. Every dive site around the world has something unique to offer, attracting the diving community to immerse themselves time and time again. The feeling of being underwater is a unique experience, akin to being in space, where you can escape Earth’s gravity to enjoy the freedom of movement. However, water sports are often believed to be accessible only to those with good physical strength, leaving others to only dream of being there.

The Genesis of Scubility

Scubility was developed as a way to help people with disabilities experience the magic of scuba diving or snorkeling. A few years back we became involved in the SDI Scubility program as a way to use our diving experience and knowledge to bring disabled people beneath the ocean. To empower them with a feeling where they can forget their disability and limitations. The image of a Wheelchair Hero from the movie ‘AVATAR’, who could walk and run only in dreams, was the first seed of the idea for a local Scubility program.

scubility

Launching the Scubility Course

Since 2014, my friend has dedicated himself to helping disabled people. Knowing that I am an SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer, he called upon me to help bring them into the world of scuba diving. Captivated by this idea, I decided to offer a special diving course adapted for disabled people: the SDI Scubility Course. The sole purpose was to bring happiness and a feeling of belonging back to our precious disabled students, by giving them an immersive experience under the sea. Perhaps, the mother ocean has a way of treating us all equally, to rebuild confidence and give hope of being alive.

scubility

Adapting Diving for All Abilities

Initially, most Scubility divers in our programs were wheelchair users. The main challenge was to design a unique technique suitable for each Scubility diver, based on their limitations. To do so, we set up a protocol keeping in mind all the scenarios that could arise during diving, starting from boarding the boat, to diving, and the communication signals during the dive. Training was also provided to volunteer participants, mostly instructors and assistant divers.

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The Scubility Program in Action

In the last four events, we have enrolled many Scubility divers in the program. We also have a team of trained instructors and assistants; without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The main objective was to make safe and comfortable diving experiences for Scubility students. In fact, in the last Scubility program, which concluded in March 2023, we included a blind diver along with six other Scubility divers. We also had 8 instructors and more than 10 assistant participants to make this possible.

scubility

The main challenge for blind divers is to set up a communication signal. So, I designed a unique ‘touch signal’ for blind students where they just need to touch an arm to convey a message. For example, when an instructor touches your arm twice, it means he is asking, “Are you okay?”. In case of any emergency during the dive, the blind diver just needs to squeeze the arm of the instructor to get his attention to solve the problem. For each Scubility diver, there were at least two personnel, an instructor, and an assistant, assigned.

Impact and Emotions of Scubility

The most satisfying experience of this program was to see Scubility divers happy, with emotional, teary eyes. I could imagine that probably for the first time, or perhaps the only time, some of them could walk, stand, and move again underwater without a wheelchair, feeling alive again. Seeing a courageous Scubility diver overcoming all challenges and obstacles to make it possible definitely inspires me to organize more events like this.

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“Scuba Diving for All” Event

The biggest local Scubility program, named “Scuba Diving for All,” was organized in Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province, south of Thailand, from October 30 to November 5, 2018. We invited international Scubility participant divers for this event. Leading up to this program, we put in lots of effort, preparing hotels and resorts in a friendly design, making sure of choosing good dive sites, and above all, to bring a smile to our precious Scubility students.

scubility

I hope that this endeavor will serve as an inspiration for people worldwide to achieve what may seem impossible, while also raising awareness about the importance of charity and kindness in our society. I look forward to welcoming you soon to our joyful underwater realm.

As an SDI TDI & Scubility IT, Dan Phutthakhun Prungkananon, owner of All Star Diving Academy located in Thailand, has a deep-rooted passion for ensuring safety and fun in the water. Keep up with Dan and the All Star Diving Academy via Instagram  or Facebook and by checking out their Dive Center Facebook.

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