Darrell's Experiences (Below-knee Amputee)
"I had wanted to try scuba diving for some time and found that a class was being given at the health club where I worked. After talking with the instructor and explaining my amputation, he encouraged me to give it a try. He did not see how it could prevent me from taking up the sport in a safe and enjoyable manner.
"I have an ActiveAnkle on my swimming leg. When I am in the water my foot has a pointed toe position and prior to leaving the water I simply turn a dial on the ankle to the walking position. Scuba gear is heavy and it is nice to walk on shore or onto a boat without assistance.
"When diving, a 'buddy system' is used for safety (of course, one should never dive alone). I always informed my buddy about my amputation while doing our equipment check and more specifically explained how my ActiveAnkle worked in case I encountered any trouble.
"I only had one problem with my ActiveAnkle. When on a beach before going diving, sand got into the ankle and affected the function, even though it is covered with a sleeve.
"For my PADI certification, we were required to swim from shore on the surface to a dive buoy and descend to the bottom. Kicking on the surface did not pose a problem as I just had to keep my legs straight and kick. When taking my certification, all my efforts were concentrated on doing the required exercises so I forgot all about my new ankle and did just fine.
"Overall, diving was a great experience for me and I enjoyed the amazing feeling of being weightless in a brand new environment!"