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Finding peace… and discovering the healing power of Scuba

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My name is Gary Green. I am an author, a team leader, an advanced open water and deep sea diver. I am also blind in one eye from an IED attack in Afghanistan. I suffer with PTSD. I have also overcome suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol addiction. (There’s a bold statement…)

As I sit at work with heavy eyelids, juggling the boost of caffeine and the tiredness that comes with shift patterns, I look forward to exactly one months’ time when I will be aboard a boat on the Red Sea. One thing I have learned is that the peaks and troughs of life must be ridden like a steady surfboarder, although most of the time I feel like the newbie who spends more time falling into the sea.

I have been blown up in Afghanistan. I suppose that is kind of my ‘golden ticket’ in a Wonka bar that has given me access to the beautiful underwater universe that I never knew existed. Since the summer of 2015 (oh how time has flown) I have been part of a charity called Deptherapy, which rehabilitates injured veterans through the medium of scuba diving. I have grown as a person and as a diver with the charity. My current level is trainee PADI Rescue Diver, Ambassador, Board Member and Trustee of Deptherapy. I am also an AmbassaDIVER for PADI in the UK (now take a breath, it’s a mouth full!)

In one months’ time I will be on a liveaboard in the Red Sea, exploring the waters in the north of Egypt. The purpose of this trip is to learn how to wreck dive, to penetrate and navigate through the forgotten ships that live under the water. This is all part of a bigger picture; to rehabilitate, to provide structure where once was chaos and to provide hope where there was once doubt.

For me, the scuba diving is a side effect of my therapy, a by-product of my rehabilitation. Of course, as a person outside of Deptherapy I have now built a tower of dependence, structure and routine. Deptherapy has added building blocks to that tower and now I have the privilege of being part of a family where I can help veterans place bricks into their own towers.

My next steps are to pass the knowledge reviews of my Rescue Diver course and I will then take the practical assessments in my Otter dry suit in the murky, cold British waters. This will enable me to then throw myself in the deep end (quite literally) as a trainee Dive Master for the ten days I spend in Egypt in the company of my wounded brothers.

I am looking forward to my break away from reality, my serenity from the normal… but most importantly my ‘gap year’ from PTSD. Underwater I have discovered a world where PTSD does not exist, a world where I find peace within myself coupled with an unparalleled beauty. Without diving and the generosity of Deptherapy I would have never found the ocean. Most importantly, I might have never found peace.

The thought of furthering my diving and taking steps to becoming a PADI Pro illuminates me. I will be writing about my experiences on this blog and taking videos / photos of my scuba diving journey. Stay tuned to find out how one veteran’s battle against his own mind concludes another chapter soon…

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

Gary Green is an author, team leader and PADI AmbassaDIVER. After being medically discharged from the British Army following an IED attack which left him blind in one eye and with PTSD, Gary was introduced to scuba diving through the rehabilitation charity Deptherapy. Gary is living proof of the healing power of scuba.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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