Scuba Diving: The Safe Way is the Only Way
By Wechsler, Kathy; Quest, Vol. 11, No. 1Publication Date: January/February 2004
Article discusses scuba diving safety for people with disabilities, which the author describes as an extremely liberating experience that can open doors that were previously closed. The author interviewed Jim Gatacre, who is the founder and president of Handicapped Scuba Association International. Gatacre stresses that the same safety rules apply to people with or without disabilities when scuba diving. He also contends that mobility impairments are not a limitation for scuba diving because so much can be done to compensate for lack of movement. Some people rely on their upper-body strength to move through the water, while others find webbed gloves to be helpful. A significantly less mobile person can wear a vest-like buoyancy compensator. Everyone is advised to dive with a specially trained instructor or a dive buddy.
Published by: Muscular Dystrophy Association (Website:http://www.mdausa.org)
Link to text: http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q111boldly.cfm
