Noteboom The Law Firm

SCUBA Project Helps Disabled Veterans

April 15, 2010 - Since January 17, 2010, the Disabled Veterans SCUBA Project (DVSP) has been training disabled veterans to become certified SCUBA divers. The DVSP falls under the VA's adaptive recreational therapy program and uses a 100% volunteer staff. 

The DVSP has been granted the ability to teach SCUBA diving at Long Beach, Loma Linda, and Camp Pendleton. Free SCUBA equipment and instruction are given to:

• Paraplegics;
• Quadriplegics;
• Blind veterans;
• Amputee veterans;
• Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
• Veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI); and
• Veterans suffering from multiple traumas.

 The VA plans on conducting a study of the positive effects SCUBA bestows on disabled veterans. There have been reports of paralyzed veterans being able to feel parts of their bodies once submerged in water. For those veterans suffering from PTSD, SCUBA seems to alleviate both anxiety and stress.

The DVSP is a non-profit organization and will always give priority in their classes to veterans suffering from combat wounds to include PTSD or TBI. Space permitting, veterans with non-combat injuries and post military injuries are allowed in. In certain cases, the spouse of the disabled veteran is allowed into the class as well.

These SCUBA classes allow disabled veterans to undertake a recreational activity they enjoy and at the same time allows them a possible new found feeling of freedom. The DVSP makes it about as easy as possible to SCUBA dive as they supply all the equipment.