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JAM | Jul 4, 2023

Scuba instructors benefit from Dive Buddy Course to support disabled clients

/ Our Today

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Kevaun Johnson, Scuba Instructors at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort with bounded legs practicing roll play of a disabled diver with Zinue Morris as his dive buddy in the open water as part of their 4- day Handicapped Scuba Association certification course. (Contributed photo)

A total of 14 scuba instructors from various Sandals resorts across Jamaica recently benefited from a four- day Dive Buddy Course conducted by the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA).

The HSA is responsible for supporting and improving the physical and social well-being of people with disabilities, through the sport of scuba diving.

The Dive Buddy Course, according to HSA is a combination of in class sessions with confined and open water exercises, designed to simulate disabilities. During these simulations, dive buddies get a chance to experience what it may be like to be a mobility or sight-impaired diver and the special considerations needed when planning and diving with them.

Scuba Instructors representing each Sandals/Beaches Resort in Jamaica participating in a 4-day certification course in the Open Water Dive buddy scuba certification, from the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. This is the entity responsible for supporting and improving the physical and social well-being of people with disabilities, through the sport of scuba diving. (Contributed photo)

Mark Rausch, HSA trainer, said: “It was a rewarding experience both for myself as the instructor and for the students. The dive team here at Sandals are clearly professionals and are excited to learn the new skills. It’s a real privilege to share this with the team so that they can offer a more inclusive package in watersports.”

“I was inspired by the death of my youngest son who was born with a disability (cystic fibrosis) but has now passed away. This is more of a passion for me to share this program and help to enrich the lives of other persons with disabilities,” he added.

Joshua Black, Scuba Instructor from Sandals Ochi ensures all his apparatus are securely before going underwater in the pool to do the practical side of his training for his Open Water Dive buddy scuba certification at the resort. (Contributed photo)
Horneil Vaughn, Scuba Instructor from Beaches Ocho Rios shared a big smile when he surfaced to the top of the pool during his underwater disabled roll play for his Handicapped Scuba Association course at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. (Contributed photo)

Horneil Vaughn, dive instructor at Beaches Ocho Rios and participant in the Dive Buddy Course said, “I came here with an open mind to learn this new skill. It is amazing how much I’ve learnt. I am very proud of the company I work for and the opportunity given to us to increase our knowledge in our field of expertise.”

“A person unable to see or move their limbs freely can enjoy the wonders of scuba diving, but they will have to rely on their trained dive buddy for guidance, and that is how we come in. Diving by itself is therapeutic. They will still experience the feelings, movements and pressure of the water, the ripples of the sand under the water, the sound of bubbles and of breathing just like able divers do. These are all intriguing factors of diving that make the sport so awesome and special,” Vaughn concluded.

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Tags
Handicapped Scuba Association HSA Sandals Resorts Scuba diving

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