Hey all! Three days of diving with Aaron's Dive Shop went really well. May 13th, 14th & 15th. First two days from the boat and last day from shore. This was my first shore dive and I was happy to have had the opportunity. The reason for the shore dive was to work on the rescue skills in a safer, calmer environment than what we typically experience when diving from a boat.

The purpose of the trip was to complete the Diver Stress & Rescue skills. I started this training with my local dive shop where we completed the classroom training and the pool training. When it came time for the open water part of this training, Hawaii was my first choice, for many reasons. Hawaii is easy to get to from the Southwest. Unlike trips to the Caribbean, Honolulu is a straight flight from Phoenix. I also like Hawaii better than the Caribbean because Hawaii is part of the U.S. and I prefer to deal with a business environment with which I am most familiar. Hawaii has some great reefs and wrecks to explore and Aarons Dive Shop is always my first choice because I know the nitrox they sell me will be reliable and the boat Captains will be safe. The instructors and other staff always aim to please and can be counted on to go the extra mile when it comes to reaching the customer's goals.

As a paraplegic, the Diver Stress & Rescue class was uncharted territory. I am still not sure how many Handi-Divers complete this training. It is a great class, especially for Handi-Divers. Whether a person can actually perform all the tasks or not isn't as important to me as actually making the effort to try. The staff at Aaron's was willing to go over and above the call of duty to help me at every junction as long as I didn't give up. I had to do my part and they certainly did theirs. I encourage all Handi-Divers to take the Stress & Rescue class, to study the material, practice the material in class, in the pool and in the ocean. Try your best, do what you can. Focus on what you CAN do.

The resuce breathing was hard. Not pushing the victim's head under water is hard. Towing the victim is also hard but it can be done. I made a rope especially for this class so that I could clip my BC to the victim's BC and still use both hands to tow that diver to shore or to the boat. I can tow another diver when I have this rope in my BC pocket. I CAN do it. I CAN give rescue breathes. I CAN direct others on the boat in an organized way. I can be part of the rescue team. I CAN be part of the solution and not part of the problem. You can too.

        

Handi-Divers received the following question-  "I will be traveling to Oahu for my honeymoon in two weeks. I am a quadriplegic, and I would really like to snorkel while I'm there. I read about the diving you did in Oahu. Do you know of any companies or diving instructors who may be able to take me?"

In response, Handi-Divers offers the following reply-

First of all, congratulations on your wedding. I wish you the very best. For travel, I think you are making a great choice. Oahu is my favorite island because it is very accessible and has lots of stuff to do. Other people like Maui better, and that is also an accessible choice, but I like Oahu best.

 

Oahu has a great public bus system. Now that I understand the buses, I won't consider renting a car. All public busses can take wheelchairs, including electric wheelchairs. Even with most activities, they pick you up at your hotel in their own bus, so transportation is never an issue. With an electric chair, the experience will be different. There is a cab company there with an accessible minivan. I can look it up for you if you like.

 

In general, everything on this island is accessible. They may not advertise as being accessible but most places will make every effort to include and serve all tourists

 

With snorkeling, you have four options:

The first option is something I have done and definitely recommend. **Actually snorkeling from the beach.** Hanunuma Bay is really the best place to start because it is totally controlled- no surf to speak of, especially on the inner bay. Snorkeling Haunuma Bay is lots of fun. I definitely will do that again. You won't need a guide. There are people and lifeguards everywhere. It is best to go in the morning, if you can, before too many other people have the chance to kick up a lot of sand. Visibility in the water should be better if you go early, but even if you go late, it is still a great place to go. You should buy a book about it before you go and study all the sea creatures you expect to encounter. You are sure to run across several different, really interesting things there. I like the Lonely Planet book for Diving & Snorkeling Hawaii.

 

You can also snorkel with ease at Waikiki beaches, I have done that several times. The State of Hawaii provides beach wheelchairs at most all beaches. These wheelchairs have balloon style tires and with these chairs, you can more easily move over the sand. Go to a lifegaurd station and ask for one. They will give you one and will probably also help you out over the sand, depending on who is there and how busy they are. The surf at Waikiki usually isn't too rough but there are tons of other people there, so conditions vary.

 

Your next option is something I have never done, because I already dive. **It is called SNUBA.** Snuba is a cross between snorkeling and scuba. You don't wear any of the scuba equipment, so you can't dive very deep. Instead of a snorkel, you have a regulator (mouthpiece with an air hose) that is attached to something called a Hooka. A hooka is an air tank that floats on the surface. Your regulator is attached to the hooka (air tank) and so you can breath the same as in scuba. The regulator hose is pretty long, like maybe 30 feet or so. Maybe they have a guide you can hire to be with you, I don't know. It is probably less expensive than the last option. I think they dive off of platforms, just slightly off shore. It actually looks pretty fun and I want to try that. It is made for snorklers, so the conditions should be good (not a lot of surf). Probably they take people out to the platform on either a jet ski or a boat. Different companies will have different ways of doing it.

 

The third option is also something I have not done, but my wife and son have and they loved it. **It is snorkeling with dolphins.** You go out on the dive boat but this time it is with all snorkelers and the goal is to follow dolphins. Since dolphins are so much faster than people, when they leave one area, everyone gets back in the boat and the boat goes to where the dolphins are. Then everyone gets back in the water and snorkels until the dolphins leave again. I'm not sure how long these trips are but probably there are morning and afternoon trips.

 

The fourth option is not something I have ever tried, because I already dive. Sometimes, when we go out on the dive boat, not everyone is a scuba diver. **Some people go out on the dive boat just to snorkel.** That is to say, the dive boat holds ten divers, for example. Maybe there are six scuba divers and two snorklers and two empty spots. If you want to do it that way, you would hire a dive operator who you like. On Oahu I always dive with Aaron's Dive shop. Their staff is always excellent. No matter who you have with you leading the trip, it will always be someone really knowledgeable, safe and fun. So say you decide to call Aaron's Dive shop. You tell them you want to go out on the dive boat as a snorkler. Probably the price is less than what they charge for divers. You can buy a seat on the boat, or buy two seats, one for you and one for your bride.  In this case, you would be able to hire a guide who would be with you at all times. The guide would totally help you with anything you need. This is probably the most expensive way to go. It also may be the LEAST fun because you'd be with scuba divers and they like to go out to spots where the diving is great but the snorkeling may not be. If they go diving on the South side of the island, no problem for snorklers. If they decide to go on the North Shore to dive- that is definitely no fun to snorkel in because that is the Windward side- that means it the wind always creates more surf. Scuba divers won't really worry about it because they are below the surface, but for anyone bobbing around up top, seasickness is a potential risk. (Remember, eating Ginger Root is great to prevent seasickness.) Sometimes they don't decide what side of the island they will dive until the last minute because conditions change. The side by Waianae (West) may be good snorkeling, I don't know. We usually take the dive boat when we go to that side of the island, and the diving is great. Maybe the snorkeling is good too, I can't say.

 

Don't forget to take the Aquarium tour, that is excellent. Be sure to include a Luau. Of course, no first time trip to Oahu is complete without a day to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

 

If I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely

-Pete

 

TO FOLLOW UP, IN RESPONSE FOR CLARIFICATION

I think you will be most happy with Hanuama Bay. They do have beach wheelchairs there, for sure. Being that the wheelchairs have balloon tires, the tires float. So the whole chair floats. Even if you are really heavy, it's not like the 'chair will go very far into the water. The beach chair is mainly used to cross over the sand with much less work. You can't push it yourself, in most cases, but neither do you have to go very far. It is also good to use because it keeps your regular chair from getting any more sand or salt water than necessary. If you tried doing the beach in your regular chair, which I also have done, it gets covered in sand.

 

Basically, you transfer from your chair to the beach chair. Then someone pushes you across the sand, up into the water just a bit. Then you transfer to the beach, same as transferring to the floor. HAVE AN EXTRA CUSHION READY. Then you crawl to the water. From there it is very fun. BE SURE TO PROTECT YOUR FEET! There are special shoes that divers wear, called Scuba Booties. I always use them, even in the pool, because they protect my feet. In a place like Haunuma Bay, you definitely want to protect your skin from abrasions. Coral can cut skin. I have never got cut while snorkeling anywhere, but it is something to be aware of.

 

As far as transferring into and out of the beach chair, from the water, it is pretty much the same as transferring to and from the floor from your everyday chair. People are there and they will help you. They have helped me and many others. Yes it is a little embarrassing sometimes but it's not a big deal for most people. In the water, you will see some parrot fish at Hanuama Bay and some other fish as well. Hawaii isn't the Caribbean. The reefs are different and not as spectacular in many respects. There are lots of great reefs in Hawaii but not like the Caribbean. Hawaii has different things to offer and in many respects is better. The bay is divided into two parts: inner and outer. I've only done the inner bay because it is really easy and relaxing. The outer bay requires more skill because the tide can pull a person pretty far out, pretty quickly. Believe it or not, they are really well separated. The way the reef is, you can't accidentally get pulled out from the inner reef. If you are in the inner reef, you are totally safe.

 

With Aaron's, they are my favorite dive shop in Hawaii for sure, but it sounds like you may not be ready for something like that. You can call them and ask to talk to someone who has worked with wheelchair users before. Ask what days they will be diving the south side of the island, that will be the side with the least surf. Again, that is only if you think you are up for the challenge. For this type of vacation it may be better to go with the more touristy type stuff. It all depends on how you feel and what you are able to do. With Aarons, also, they pick you up at your hotel but it is in a regular van, no lift. If you are not comfortable transferring into and out of that type of vehicle, that is something to consider. Yes, they will help you will all transfers but you have to tell them exactly what they need to do to help you.

 

As far as getting into and out of the boat- from the parking lot, they will carry you. Usually you and your chair together, depending on what you prefer. You have to tell them what you are most comfortable with.

Getting into and out of the boat from the water- some of the boats they use have swim platforms. That is the easiest and is similar to getting into and out of a pool (without a lift.) Other boats do not have swim platforms. Since they may not know what boat they are using until the day of the dive, this is one reason you may not want to go out on a boat. If you go on a boat that has no swim platform, getting back in can be tricky. Since we can't climb the ladders like all the other divers do, we have to literally crawl back into the boat, usually over the gunnels, which can be dangerous if there is a bit of surf. Remember, in Hawaii, it is not the Caribbean. There is surf.

 

Diving with able bodied folks has advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes it is better because you see things you wouldn't see when you are with a group of disabled divers. Sometimes it is more difficult because the boat goes to places that are more difficult to dive.

 

If you are with a group of disabled divers/snorklers, it is always easy, guaranteed. Groups like Handicapped Scuba Association or Dive Pirates are my two favorite groups. Stay Focused is another good group. Each has a slightly different focus but all these groups are on my links page.

 

If I had to guess, I would say the reason you have not heard back from the companies yet is because they typically don't encounter wheelchair users. Probably the person reading the e-mail has to ask someone else, typically the owner, and wait for a response. I know I have been diving with many of the staff at Aaron's.

 

It sounds to me like you would be most happy in both Haunuma Bay and the Beaches at Waikiki. Those two you can do without hiring any help because lifeguards are at both locations and both locations have beach wheelchairs. You won't see any fish at Waikiki beaches but it is really fun because it is such a historic thing to do.

 

As far as anything else you would like to explore, I think once you get someone from Aaron's on the phone, they will be more than willing to help you arrange something. Even if it's not something with them, they can probably figure out how to get you doing what you want to do. Maybe one of the guides there (also called Dive Masters) knows a place and is willing to go there with you, on the side. Probably you can hire one of their dive masters to be your guide on one of the snuba trips.

 

If you had more time, I would recommend practicing in the pool first. It makes a big difference if you are already comfortable in the water. When all these little bits of stress start to add up, it can subtract from the fun. If you are already comfortable in the water, then it will be easier to enjoy everything.

 

 

        

One person has written the following question-
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"I am looking into dive equipment for a friend of mine who is paralyzed from the waist down.  He is interested in diving and what type of fins he would use.  I noticed on your site you do equipment demos, what do you recommend for fin use?"
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Hello - My son is 12 and a paraplegic.  He has a SCI at T5, that he has only had since last year.  He is very interested in SCUBA diving.  My husband is certified and wants to be able to do this with him.  Do you have any ideas of anyone I can contact about adaptive SCUBA here or when and how do you offer classes that perhaps we can plan a trip to?
-Concerned Mom

Hi and thanks for your inquiry,
Thanks also for your commitment to help your son pursue this dream in the safest way possible.

I am also a paraplegic, T-4. I was hurt while active duty in the United States Navy. I never tried scuba before I was hurt but in the years since I learned to dive I have discovered how beneficial it is on so many levels.

There are several different types of certifying agencies, each with their own style and specialty. Also, each student is different and in some cases no special certification is required. I was one such person whom my local dive shop was willing to spend as much time as it took to learn how best to teach me how to dive. My instructors had no special training and we just did everything in the safest possible way. I progressed at my own speed, which was not as fast as most able bodied persons but as long as I performed all the necessary tasks, I completed the training the same as my able-bodied classmates. That was four years ago.

In the years since, I have met with several training agencies and been diving with lots of folks who teach mobility impaired students. While I am not an instructor myself, I do put together instructor teams and make travel arrangements. I can provide you with lots of information regarding various resources if you can be a little more specific regarding what you are looking for at the moment.

There are many agencies that teach scuba. Some are more experienced with handi-scuba than others. Let me start with the oldest and best established agency, the Handicapped Scuba Association. You can go to their website and find an instructor in your area.

If you would like to search in different areas, you can try going to www.hsascuba.com/scripts/FindMember.php?session_id=0b7f8ee80669297fc07bc65b3bf7a33c&login=0&Table=instructors to conduct a new search.


Since your husband is also a diver, I'm sure your son will really be able to get a lot of practice in the pool even before an instructor can start. For all scuba students, most of the preparation is mental. Being comfortable in the water is really important. Along with that, being able to clear a flooded mask is also an important skill that many students have anxiety with. Practice in the pool is really helpful with this skill and can be done, with proper supervision, with only a mask and snorkel.


I have several inspirational videos available that you may find useful. Videos that illustrate how rewarding scuba is for mobility impaired persons and just how easily we all fit in once we are making our dives. For example, I just returned from diving in Cayman Brac with a group based in Houston called Dive Pirates (wwww.divepirates.org) We had four boats full of people, two wheelchair users on each boat; including two high level quads who have been diving for years. Most of the other handi-divers were paraplegics, all new to the sport of scuba. All had great experiences.

While that trip is now over until next year, there is one more trip available, if you are interested. The Handicapped Scuba Association, who I mentioned earlier, has a trip to Bon Aire coming first week of August. I have been on that trip before and I can testify that it is a very safe, very easy location to learn to dive. The hotel and dive operators are experienced and proficient with handi-divers. The host of the trip, Jim Gatacre, has been the one who pioneered handi-scuba over twenty five years ago and no one on planet earth knows more about handi-scuba than Jim. Again, that website is www.hsascuba.org.

Another group, based in New York, called Stayfocused.org conducts regular training sessions in Grand Cayman. This group may be more appropriate for you because they specialize in teaching young people; mainly high school and college aged handi-athletes.

With all of these groups, they start with classroom training, then do pool training, then do open water certification, usually overseas. From your location, the Caribbean offers many possibilities. If the overseas trips are not something you are interested at this point, I'm sure we can find other options.

I don't want to overwhelm you with too much information too soon though. I'm here to answer whatever questions you have. If you would like to purchase or borrow some videos, I can certainly offer that. If you would like more clarification of any topic related to handi-scuba, I'm here for that as well. By e-mail, by phone, or by regular mail, I welcome your questions and concerns.

Sincerely
Pete Gamble, owner and manager of Handi-Divers, llc 520-488-6931 info@handi-divers.com

        

In June of 2008 I participated, for the second time, in the annual Dive Pirate trip to Cayman Brac. This is a group that specializes in providing scuba training to persons who have lost use of their limbs through physical trauma; primarily Veterans who have sustained injury as a result of service to our country. The Dive Pirates trip to Cayman Brac was probably one of the single best dive trips I've ever been on; which is saying a lot because I've been on some pretty great ones. Those of you that know me know that I will always pick Hawaii as my first choice in dive locations but here I am at my keyboard wishing I was back in Cayman Brac. Again this year, I met tons of great people. As with  nearly all dive trips to the Caymans, the conditions were perfect and there were no problems.


Starting with dive #92 at Snapper Reef we began to reacquaint ourselves with fish we had not visited since last summer. The variety of fish was very refreshing: Trumpetfish, Drumfish, Grunts, Blennies, Goatfish, Puffers, Groupers and Turtles to name just a few.

 

I felt lucky to spot two stingrays that were feeding on the bottom. One of the stingrays looked more like a flounder because of its small size and intricate camouflage; later my buddy told me it was a Southern Stingray. One of the more experienced divers among us spotted a Lettuce Leaf Slug and pointed it out for us all. We continued on to Tombstone, Charlie’s Reef and finally, the Tibet’s Wreck.

 

This wreck is now one of top favorites and I really want to dive it again. I like deep for the sense of adventure but not too deep because I like to stay on Nitrox. At less than 87 feet, this fits the bill perfectly in that regard. It’s also only about twelve years old so while it does have a good bit of sealife growing on it, it is not falling apart on the inside. It has been broken into two pieces, forward and aft, I think because of hurricane Ivan. Me and my trusty SeaDoo scooter penetrated the wreck with my dive buddy and guide. It was a tight squeeze with the scooter, which adds to the sense of adventure while still being safe. We had plenty of time, light and space throughout most of the wreck. I didn’t make it to the bridge on this trip but I will look forward to doing it later.

 

On to Buccaneer Reef and End of Island Reef to see my first Nurse shark, more stingrays, flounders, crabs and jawfish. Then to the famous Bloody Bay Wall at Little Cayman- truly great dives that you have to experience for yourself.

 

As our days of diving continued, I was fast approaching dive #100, which my buddies made quite a memorable occasion for me. My dive buddies Sergio and Becky made the anticipation pleasantly dramatic. While submerged on dives 98 and 99, Sergio periodically flashed hand signals to me which communicated the number “98”. This was his way of telling me “This is dive number ninety eight, dive number one hundred is coming and you won’t know exactly what we’ve got planned for you.” During dive number ninety-nine, he would again flash the hand signal for that number; coupled with an intimidating look, I wondered what was going through his mind. The feelings I had were good because it reminded me of the comradery we shared on board my ship when I was active duty in the U.S. Navy.

 

As the next day came, I new the time for Sergio’s plans was near. My first dive of the day was dive number one hundred. One of my other buddies, Becky, was also on board with the fun, though I would not discover this until she was the one to deliver the cream pie directly in my face in such a way that everyone, including me, got a great laugh out of it. Complete with sprinkles and a cherry on top, they did not disappoint me. Of course, any time I get my picture taken, I’m happy. I relished basking in the cameras of all the other divers just before I dropped into dive number one hundred at Sergeant Major Reef.

Dive #101 was my first night dive and that was not scary at all. I expected I would have fear but none at all. My buddy was really good at holding a light for me, so I was able to keep my hands free, which of course makes all the difference in the world since I can’t use my legs and didn’t have a scooter on that dive. I suppose that I wasn’t scared because there really wasn’t anything to be scared of. Yes, the night is definitely something that is totally empty when underwater, especially with no moon and cloud cover. The lights lowered from the boat are only enough to illuminate the area immediately around the swim platform of the boat. Once at depth, a dive light is the only light around. I was ok with that though. I knew my buddies were with me. After diving with them the whole week, they were no longer strangers; I trusted them. Of course, being is an area with such great conditions helps too.

The remaining dives were no less spectacular than the rest of what I had been experiencing with this group all week. We continued to spot a wide variety of sea life, including a Nurse Shark; which was peacefully in our shared domain. I ended up completing dive #107 and I’m still happy about the whole experience. The group of Dive Pirates really are the best in every way: Most fun, most helpful, most experienced. It’s a great mix of people and I want to go back again already.

        

There are some great things happening this year:
1) The big Majuro/Hawaii trip is finally happening. Flying out April 6th. I'll keep you posted
2) Dive Heart will be making their annual trip to Cozumel May 7 - 11th.
3) The Dive Pirates will be making their annual trip to Cayman Brac June 7 - 14th.
4) Here in Arizona a few of us are working with an HSA certified instructor in Roatan to go there June 14 - 20th.
5) The Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) will be making their annual trip to Bon Aire August 9 - 16.

Lastly, we cannot fail to mention Stay-Focused. They will be making several trips to Grand Cayman again this year. In the past four years they have made twelve trips! All participants were fully funded. This is a real achievement that has helped hundreds of mobility impaired athletes, mainly college students, to discover and advance their scuba abilities.

Whatever your desire or ability level, be sure to explore all your options.
Sincerely
-Pete