News
Deptherapy Dive Team achieves continued success in Red Sea

A team from scuba diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy has returned from another successful Red Sea training programme with three new PADI Open Water Divers, one PADI Advanced & Deep Diver and four PADI Rescue Divers.
The latest Deptherapy programme took place during the last week in October and was the second to take place this year at Roots Red Sea in El Quseir. The Programme Members were all wounded in service veterans from the UK Armed Forces suffering from life changing mental and/or physical injuries including several with acute PTSD.

Team Deptherapy at Roots Red Sea, October 2017. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev.
The instructional team included Deptherapy Ambassador and PADI AmbassaDiver Chris Middleton who was one of the very first Deptherapy Programme Members who learnt to dive. Chris may have lost both legs in Afghanistan but refuses to be defined by his disability. He is now a fully qualified Divemaster and will take his Instructor course next year in order to realize his ambition to become the world’s first double amputee PADI Instructor.
Chris was recently featured alongside fellow Deptherapy Ambassador and PADI AmbassaDiver Gary Green in a BBC3 Amazing Humans documentary that has so far achieved almost 6 million views: see https://www.facebook.com/bbcthree/videos/10155229543295787.
Amongst the Programme Members on this trip was triple amputee Josh Boggi, a former Royal Engineer and now an award-winning Invinctus Games cyclist in training for the 2020 Paralympics. Josh achieved his Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver and Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty, adapting his trim to sidemount to compensate for his injuries. Deptherapy will continue to work with Josh to help achieve his Rescue Diver qualification.

Triple amputee Josh Boggi, who qualified as an AOWD on the trip, diving sidemount. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev.
Former Signaller Adam Deans of the Royal Corps of Signals pushed through his battles with acute PTSD, OCD and extensive knee damage to partake in the programme. He said:
“Literally until the moment that we were checked in, I wasn’t sure I was going to go on the trip. I am so glad that I did. The diving made me feel good about myself and I have regained my confidence. I – and my family – have noticed a huge difference. I’ve caught the diving bug now and cannot wait to do my Advanced course!”
The Deptherapy team is now working towards finalizing their 2018 programme to satisfy both rapidly increasing demand from prospective new divers as well as professionals who wish to learn the skills required to teach adaptive diving techniques. Already planned are two Red Sea training programmes, a UK-based Deptherapy Education Pros’ course and Mental Health First Aid course, as well as a ground-breaking expedition to Truk in August.
Once again, Deptherapy passes on its grateful thanks to its Corporate Sponsors and Individual Members whose generosity ensures both the continuation and expansion of the charity’s life changing work.
For more information about the work of Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education visit their NEW website at www.deptherapy.co.uk.
Marine Life & Conservation
Jeff chats to… Andrea Marshall of the Marine Megafauna Foundation (Watch Video)

To mark International Women’s Day 2021, Scubaverse is sharing a series of videos that shine a light on some of the amazing women working in the world of scuba diving and marine conservation.
In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Andrea Marshall, co-founder, board member and principal scientist for the Marine Megafauna Foundation, about marine conservation and her work with Manta Rays.
Andrea is a passionate conservation biologist directing an experienced global team of Manta Ray researchers. She is a professional underwater photographer, technical diver and ocean explorer. A seasoned public speaker, educator and ocean ambassador, with on-camera experience. Andrea is also owner of Ray of Hope expeditions, an adventure-science travel company.
Find out more at www.marinemegafauna.org.
Rather listen to a podcast? Listen to the audio HERE on the new Scubaverse podcast channel at Anchor FM.
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs
Mermaid Minute #1: Meet Mermaid Linden (Watch Video)

In this new series on Scubaverse.com we will be sharing Linden Wolbert’s video series ‘Mermaid Minute’.

The “Mermaid Minute” is an ocean educational web series for children. Each action-packed episode explores one subject, creature or habitat about our oceans for 60 seconds.
Professional Mermaid Linden Wolbert is a real mermaid whose passion is educating children about the wonders of our oceans, swimming safety and ocean conservation as well as exploration and inspiring our world’s youngest ocean ambassadors.
Do you LOVE MERMAIDS? This is Episode #1 of the Mermaid Minute, the only ocean education web series hosted by a mermaid! Mermaid Linden created this for kids and anyone who LOVES OUR OCEANS!
See and learn more about Mermaid Linden here: www.mermaidsinmotion.com
Follow Mermaid Linden here:
www.instagram.com/mermaidlinden
-
Competitions3 months ago
WIN a PADI eLearning Course – 5 courses up for grabs!!!
-
Competitions3 months ago
WIN an Envirus Everyday+ Mask from Sharkskin – 5 up for grabs!!!
-
Competitions1 month ago
WIN a Sharkskin Performance 40L Duffle Bag!!!
-
Competitions1 month ago
WIN a DivePro S10 Compact Dive Torch!!!
-
News1 month ago
Scubaverse.com’s NEW Monthly Underwater Photo and Video Contest Prizes worth more than £500 each!
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months ago
Philippines vital for endangered Whale Sharks
-
Competitions3 weeks ago
WIN a SeaLife AquaPod Mini!!!
-
Gear Reviews3 months ago
Divers Ready: Garmin Descent Mk2, Mk2i and T1 Transmitter Review (Watch Video)