Scuba Diving - Take the Plunge
Scuba diving is good exercise and is also a very exciting activity that lets you see a new world under the water.
CHAMP Graduates Adele Fifield, an above-knee amputee, and Darrell Foley, a below-knee amputee, have both taken scuba diving lessons. Adele shares her thoughts and experiences as a novice to the sport. Darrell has passed his open water diving certification and his experiences provide further insights into the sport. Darrell’s scuba diving instructor shares an instructor’s observations.
While adaptations to the activity will vary from amputee to amputee there are some general issues that are worth considering before you get started. As with any new activity, consideration should be given to choosing a good instructor who will be open to making and suggesting adaptations that may be necessary to accommodate you as an amputee.
Things to consider before getting started
Some arm amputees, especially those with above-elbow and higher amputations, do not wear an artificial limb in the water. Others do because they feel it helps propel them forward and keeps them swimming straight ahead rather than veering to one side. TRS also has two devices that help with propulsion; the Freestyle Swimming terminal device (to be used with a custom swimming prosthesis), and the Swim Kit (to be attached directly to the residual limb).
To get the most out of scuba diving you should be a competent and confident swimmer. It may be worth taking swimming lessons before starting out in scuba diving if you are not an experienced swimmer.
In your search for a scuba diving instructor, you can enquire about their experience teaching people with disabilities. The rapport you feel with the instructor is important. You must feel that the instructor is enthusiastic and willing to work with you as a new scuba diving student. In fact, these tips for finding a good scuba diving instructor apply to any type of class you may take where you feel adaptations need to be made. As an amputee, you should "teach" your instructors about your unique needs before starting the class. This will give the instructor time to think about possible adaptations to help you. Instructors may simply not have dealt with an amputee in their classes before. Reading the experiences of an above-knee amputee, a below-knee amputee and an instructor may also be helpful.
Any medical condition(s) which may have contributed to the person becoming an amputee – such as cardio-vascular problems – should also be considered as scuba diving is a high energy activity. While scuba diving is accessible to most amputees, you should consult with your doctor first if you have lung problems, recently had surgery, or if you are unsure whether a medical condition will affect your scuba diving ability.