News
Deptherapy to complete mission with groundbreaking IDP
When Scuba Diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy & Deptherapy Education announced that it will close on 31st August 2023, part of the dream that the founders held since 2014 remained unfulfilled. Now, the charity, along with its partners Dive RAID International and Pharoah Dive Club at Roots Red Sea, is delighted to announce that their final mission, to see beneficiaries who had started their diving journey with Deptherapy progress to teaching others, is to become a reality this year.
In adaptive teaching, particularly in respect of the veterans’ armed service community, there has never before been an Instructor Development Programme (IDP) delivered for a group of veterans who have experienced life changing mental and/or physical challenges.
Later this year, Deptherapy and their training partners RAID will deliver an IDP for five beneficiaries, each of whom has already qualified as a Divemaster. One is a bilateral amputee with PTSD, who stepped on an IED in Afghanistan. One has MS and depression, another was shot by a sniper and lost five pints of blood in combat and is diagnosed with Complex PTSD, Survivor Guilt and Adjustment Disorder. Two others have Complex PTSD from their terrible experiences whilst serving in Afghanistan.
The Instructor Development Programme (IDP) will be run partly in the UK and completed at Roots Red Sea in El Quseir, Egypt. Much of the theory and confined water work will be conducted over a number of weekends in the UK, with a skills refresher, the remainder of the theory and open water work carried out at Roots. An independent Instructor Examiner will conduct a two-day IE with the beneficiaries.
Tom Swarbrick, Deptherapy Ambassador and RAID Divemaster, said:
“My two deployments to Afghanistan left me a broken man, mentally and physically. Like so many others, I denied I was mentally ill. Scuba diving has, together with Deptherapy’s 24/7 support, saved my life and changed how I see things. Underwater the demons disappear and when I climb the ladder back onto the boat after a dive, my fellow beneficiaries and the team provide the emotional support I need. For someone, who on return from Afghanistan, saw himself as a burden on society to becoming a Scuba Diving Instructor is an amazing journey and I owe a deep debt to all those involved in making this happen.”
A spokesperson for Dive RAID International said:
“RAID was immensely proud when Deptherapy chose us as their training partners in 2019. We were involved in the discussions about running a Deptherapy Beneficiaries’ IDP at the earliest stage and we are working to deliver this world first. For these beneficiaries to achieve Instructor status will be the pinnacle of Deptherapy’s work; being a part of their journey is an amazing experience.”
Chris Middleton briefing students. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev for Deptherapy
The Deptherapy & Deptherapy Education Board of Trustees has decided that the charity’s residual funds will be used to support the IDP. Steve Rattle the owner of Pharoah Dive Club and Roots Red Sea has organised a fundraising event to raise additional funds to see Deptherapy’s mission completed.
Steve Rattle said:
“Pharaoh Dive Club and Roots Red Sea are long-term supporters of Deptherapy, and we have been privileged and proud to witness and take part in their life changing work first-hand. The team are now working to help facilitate the charity’s final mission. Completing the circle with the beneficiaries that have been helped by learning to dive, becoming Instructors so that they can continue the work beyond the life of the charity is an incredible achievement. This final mission is a true mark of the Deptherapy success story and will ensure that others can benefit from the Deptherapy model for years to come.”
Further details of the IDP will be published in due course. Tickets and more information about the fundraising event, which will be held at the Village Hotel, Coventry CV4 9GZ on Friday 3rd March 2023 on the Go Diving Show weekend, are available from Pharaoh Dive Club at info@pharaohdiveclub.com and their social media channels.
For more information about the work of Deptherapy visit www.deptherapy.co.uk.
Header image: Chris Middleton assisting a student in the pool. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev for Deptherapy
This weekend, Liquid Sports will be at Wraysbury Dive Centre with an exciting lineup of premium dive gear and exclusive offers for visitors to the event.
Divers can get hands-on with the latest from Bigblue Dive Lights, Poseidon Diving Systems, Sharkskin Technical Watersports Apparel, and Ursuit Drysuits.
You’ll have the chance to demo a Poseidon regulator during the event, and if you decide to purchase one over the weekend, you’ll receive a 10% discount plus some special Poseidon goodies as a thank-you.
Whether you’re in the market for new equipment or just want to see what’s new in the dive world, make sure to stop by the Liquid Sports stand at Wraysbury this weekend.
For more information, contact:
Liquid Sports
📞 07585 935522
📧 info@liquidsports.co.uk
🌐 www.liquidsports.co.uk
This year diving holiday specialist Dive Worldwide is proudly celebrating their 25th anniversary.
For over a quarter of a century, their expert team of experienced divers have taken enormous pride in offering liveaboard and resort-based holidays as well as creating many thousands of magical tailor-made and small group diving itineraries in over 200 locations worldwide.
To celebrate 25 years of Dive Worldwide, we spotlight a few of their longstanding partnerships and client-favourite accommodation options that have been enjoyed by hundreds of their valued clients over the years. As with all of Dive Worldwide’s portfolio, these partners not only offer exceptional diving, but memorable accommodation and the very best service too, creating precious memories for divers.
This month, you can save £100pp on new, flight inclusive holidays with Dive Worldwide when you book by 27 June 2025. To claim your discount, quote code: ScubaverseJ25
You can find out more about Dive Worldwide online, submit an enquiry or call their expert team on 01962 302087.
Dewi Nusantara Liveaboard, Indonesia
Dewi Nusantara is Southeast Asia’s largest, most iconic and elegant liveaboard, custom-built for lengthy scuba diving explorations. Transporting you to one of the most remote and spectacular diving destinations on Earth, you can enjoy luxury, world-class diving across the vibrant seas of the Coral Triangle, exploring world-renowned reefs at Raja Ampat, Triton Bay, the Forgotten Islands and Cenderawasih Bay.
To celebrate 25 years, the Dive Worldwide team are jumping aboard Dewi Nusantara this summer and inviting you to join them! Dive with Product Manager Joanna Charter to The Birdshead Peninsular, departing 3 July 2025 or join Dive Sales Consultant, Philippa Anderson to North Raja Ampat, departing 16 August 2025.
Book now to save 25% on selected last-minute summer 2025 Dewi Nusantara itineraries.
Beth S. travelled on Dewi Nusantara with Dive Worldwide in November and said “Dewi Nusantara was a premium liveaboard experience – the service, the diving, the food and the accommodation were all absolutely incredible. There’s nothing I would change about this experience and I will be going back!”
Find out more about Dewi Nusantara Liveaboard
Vilamendhoo Island Resort, Maldives
One of the classic Maldivian dive resorts, Vilamendhoo Island Resort is a quintessential paradise for snorkellers and divers, regularly welcoming Dive Worldwide’s eager clients.
Located in the southeast corner of the South Ari Atoll, this beautiful resort sits alongside a turquoise lagoon and 900 metre wide sand beach. Choose from a variety of comfortable room types, all featuring their own private patio area.
A Euro Divers PADI 5-star dive centre is just a few metres from the house reef, operating scuba diving and snorkelling activities. There’s a marine biology centre too, led by the Manta Trust who regularly run workshops for guests.
Benedict W. stayed at Vilamendhoo Island Resort in March after booking through Dive Worldwide and thought, “It’s a very comfortable resort with an excellent dive centre. The water bungalows are very spacious.”
Discover Vilamendhoo Island Resort
Siladen Resort & Spa, Indonesia
The Siladen Resort & Spa has hosted countless Dive Worldwide clients over the years, and it’s easy to see why. Guests love this exclusive award-winning boutique dive resort for its hidden location in the heart of the marine-rich Bunaken Marine Park, secluded accommodation, tropical gardens and elegant and relaxing atmosphere.
It’s suitable for both divers and snorkellers and there are a variety of topside and sea excursions available. Facilities include a restaurant and lounge bar, a saltwater pool and a spa where a full range of local treatments and massages are available.
here’s an onsite PADI 5-star dive centre too, strategically located in the marine park.
David B. travelled in February and said, “Our booking through Dive Worldwide was very smooth and well handled, and the staff at Siladen were outstanding and took care of our requests.”
Atmosphere Resort & Spa, Philippines
This owner-operated luxury resort in Dauin has retained its place as a firm favourite in the hearts of Dive Worldwide clients for 25 years. Not far from some of the best macro dive sites in the Philippines, guests are met with the warmest of Philippine hospitality combined with first-class amenities and services.
Surrounded by beautiful coconut plantations and perched between the mountains and the ocean, this stunning resort has a fantastic choice of accommodation options and facilities to enjoy, plus off-site activities can be arranged at the tour desk.
There’s an on-site PADI 5-star Instructor Development Centre. Here, photographers are well catered for with an on-site professional and a fully equipped, dedicated camera room.
Alison R. stayed at Atmosphere Resort & Spa in November and said, “The diving was fabulous and the Dive Worldwide team made it very special.”
A Message from Dive Worldwide’s Founder
Dive Worldwide recognise that their success is shared with the fantastic partners they work with to deliver exceptional diving adventures for eager divers. Here’s what Founder & Director Teresa Bennett had to say about reaching this significant milestone:
“When I founded Dive Worldwide 25 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the remarkable journey we would take. I’m incredibly proud of the reputation we’ve built, the professional and dedicated team behind our success and all the unique experiences we continue to offer our valued clients.”
What better way to select your next diving holiday than calling on Dive Worldwide’s 25 years of experience, especially when you can save £100pp?
Find out more about Dive Worldwide, submit an enquiry or call their expert team today on 01962 302087.
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