58 replies to this topic

[Gecko]

Hi there..

Just wanted to know if anyone knows about any serious dangers with scuba diving as I have just started diving again. Its been 7 years since I last dived (before my injury) and it was FANTASTIC to dive again...

[gsp23]

If you hear of any, let me know. I was going to get certified for diving here nearby me there is a place that has experiencing training paras. I'm not sure if I will be able to get in this summer or not yet though.

[sammyc78]

Gecko, on May 13 2008, 08:25 AM, said:

Hi there..

Just wanted to know if anyone knows about any serious dangers with scuba diving as I have just started diving again. Its been 7 years since I last dived (before my injury) and it was FANTASTIC to dive again...

Hey,
Sounds Fantastic. Where did ya dive as a Raspberry? I dived once before my injury on a Youth afloat wkd, but didnt think it was possible again in my chair? I am T5 complete. Could you let me have details of where and with who you dived? Also prices? I would be a real beginner at this, so would need assistance due to spasm etc....
Thanks,

Sam

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

Hey Gecko, I dive quite regularly and the only thing i've been warned of; Is that if you are diving to 3atm's or lower, be sure to double the amount of time on your accent. Being that we para's and quads have poor circulation in our lower extremities, it takes longer for the excess nitrogen to dissipate. Better safe than sorry! Hope all goes well for you, have fun!

[nomis]

WARNING: Anyone with levels above T8 needs to get further info and take care re disturbance to their vasomotor system which conrols the constriction and release of the blood vessels, hence controlling body temperature. My understanding from years ago was that could be dangerous for those higher level people to dive below 2metres/6 feet.

Edited by nomis, 16 February 2009 - 08:33 AM.

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

Good call Normis!...Also something I though of; If you use a baclofen pump, your going to want to consult your doctor as to it's function under increased pressure!

[Kev-O]

Does anyone know of any scuba websites for SCI?

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

Nope...At least not that i've ever found. Being that there are so many underlying medical conditions that we have as a result of our injuries, it really is something that should be investigated further!

[gsp23]

Kev-O, on Feb 16 2009, 04:54 PM, said:

Does anyone know of any scuba websites for SCI?

The only one I am aware of is http://www.hsascuba.com/

[zzipzz]

I got certified this year - when I was getting trained they used nitrox to help with the circulation issues. I've dove as well one time without as well. I've gotten really cold as well on one dive not sure if it was my injury or not but think about a thicker wetsuit even in places like Florida if you want to stay down longer.

[ljj]

Kev-O, on Feb 16 2009, 04:54 PM, said:

Does anyone know of any scuba websites for SCI?

There's a great one called the handicap scuba association. It also has a link where you can find instructors in your area.

http://www.hsascuba.com/

[gsp23]

ljj, on Jul 15 2009, 10:06 AM, said:

Kev-O, on Feb 16 2009, 04:54 PM, said:

Does anyone know of any scuba websites for SCI?

There's a great one called the handicap scuba association. It also has a link where you can find instructors in your area.

http://www.hsascuba.com/

Apparently didnt read the the string and just the original post... this same link was provided 2 posts up.

[twisted_ophelia]

rue2you, on Jul 15 2009, 06:08 PM, said:

Dear Geek 1,
I don't want you to think that I was being callous in any way to your feelings. We all have had feelings and will continue to and sorting through them is part of the process.
It is a wonder to me that people can cuss, talk about crude things and talk about uselessly wasting your life with liquor and nobody ever says anything. But when someone openly tells you what has helped them - my faith in Jesus Christ - then Jesus gets slammed.
Slamming me is fine but let's leave God out of the slamfest.
I truly hope that you find peace.

Ah, I was just talking to someone the other day about scuba diving. He's AB and a trainer at my gym, was talking about scuba diving and got me all excited about it and now I'm interested in figuring out ways for me to do it. He was saying he just did a course or something over the weekend and I'm wondering if the place he went will train SCI people and if I can dive to deeper depths at my injury level. It just sounds like so much fun and I am definitely an ocean loving kind of girl. When I'm in the water, I always free of my chair and my SCI and I love doing anything that gives me that feeling. Diving would, no doubt, be awesome.

[twisted_ophelia]

Found this website during last night's research on scuba diving and SCI: http://paraplegicscu...paraplegic.html REALLY interesting stuff, very comprehensive. Also, I was talking to the person I know who I mentioned above about diving today and he was saying that the vasomotor system stuff can be controlled with a slower descent, like instead of descending at 1 second/per whatever, I would go down at 2 seconds/per whatever depth. Sorry if that doesn't make sense, I'm just getting interested in diving and don't know the terminology. Anyway, I wrote down what you guys wrote here about diving and gave it to him so I think he said he's gonna do more research into it, pretty sure he is certified. Either way, where there's a will, there's a way.

Edited to add that he also recommended contacting PADI, this diving organization, and they should be able to answer questions as well for anyone with SCI/diving.

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 18 July 2009 - 02:32 AM.

[twisted_ophelia]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I emailed PADI http://www.padi.com/scuba/default.aspx to inquire about SCI and diving, if I can just take a regular diving course, if I can do wreck dives, etc., and I'm waiting to hear back from them with their advice. I'll let you guys know what they have to say.

[gsp23]

I havent taken the course yet myself but I did talk to a local scuba shop who has experience with paras and they tell me that it is the same course for both me and my boyfriend (who is AB). I know its recommended to deal with a licensed instructor who has experience in certifying people of similar disabily level as you.

[Boomer]

I've been diving for a few years now (T5 complete). It is awesome! I did my first dive trip through the Dive Pirates from NM. They specialize in adaptive training. Here's a link to their site. You can also click on the adaptive divers tab.

I have a ton of pictures if you would like me to post any I've been to San Carlos twice, Bahamas and the Key's.

Here's one picture of me from their site!
http://www.divepirat...s.asp?diverid=5

[twisted_ophelia]

Boomer, on Jul 21 2009, 05:20 PM, said:

I've been diving for a few years now (T5 complete). It is awesome! I did my first dive trip through the Dive Pirates from NM. They specialize in adaptive training. Here's a link to their site. You can also click on the adaptive divers tab.

I have a ton of pictures if you would like me to post any I've been to San Carlos twice, Bahamas and the Key's.

Here's one picture of me from their site!
http://www.divepirat...s.asp?diverid=5

Yes, please post some, I would love to see! I got really excited looking at the PADI website at all the courses I can take and I would absolutely LOVE to dive in ship wrecks. I have a love for pirates and that stuff is just right up my alley.... I would also love to go to Australia and see the Great Barrier reef and other places around the world that must be magnificently beautiful. I am an ocean loving girl. Dive Pirates seems like an amazing organization, I just checked out their site. Their chapter in Lakawanna, NY isn't that far from me. Same with Lansing, MI.

Anyway, I heard back from PADI and here's what they had to say:

Thanks very much for your message and for visiting the PADI website, I’m delighted to hear of your interest in becoming a PADI Diver and I’ll try to help.



PADI training standards require only that student divers are able to meet all the training requirements in order to be certified. Some of the skills necessary can be adapted to accommodate you, it will be up to the individual instructor to evaluate your abilities and adapt his teaching to your needs. Without seeing you in the water it’s impossible to say whether you could complete the course but typically those with full use of their upper body who are able to swim and comfortable in water over their head, as well as being reasonably fit, can at least participate in training if not become certified. Please have your instructor get in touch with one of our Training Consultants if he or she needs assistance.



But before you begin, you’ll be required to complete a Medical Statement, attached. It will require your doctor’s OK before you can participate in the water so please have a look at it first. You may take it to your physician for signature and note the Guidelines for the Physician that provide important information and references. You or he may also wish to contact Divers Alert Network (DAN) and www.diversalertnetwork.org and/or the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) www.hsascuba.com for more information.



I hope this helps a bit, Mimi, and good luck with your course!

Best regards and good diving,

Mary Kaye

So now I'm going to start looking around at the dive shops around Toronto to see if there are any instructors who've had experience with spinal cord injured people.

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 22 July 2009 - 03:25 AM.

[Abbey22]

A really close friend of mine just got back from an amazing scuba diving trip and I am going in September to Bonaire!

He went with a group called DPF (Dive Pirates Foundation)-They must share your love for all thing pirate Mimi I'm more of a ninja girl myself but I have a respect for pirates too!

Here's an article link and at the very bottom there's a link to their main site.

DPF Foundation Article

I am so stoked about being recertified. I got certified a couple of years before my injury and I can't wait to get back to my underwater exploration!

[Boomer]

Cool! Here are some of my pictures. I have the bright green hoses and no fins (obviously) haha

This trip was from the Keys in Florida
http://smg.photobuck...mview=slideshow

I also drove with Life Waters. They are some local friends who i know here in Phoenix, AZ. Some of you may recognize the blond guy in the wheelchair. Its Andy Cohn from the movie Murderball.
http://gallery.me.co...6...k&view=grid

Edited by Boomer, 24 July 2009 - 12:22 AM.

[twisted_ophelia]

Boomer, on Jul 23 2009, 08:19 PM, said:

Cool! Here are some of my pictures. I have the bright green hoses and no fins (obviously) haha

This trip was from the Keys in Florida
http://smg.photobuck...mview=slideshow

I also drove with Life Waters. They are some local friends who i know here in Phoenix, AZ. Some of you may recognize the blond guy in the wheelchair. Its Andy Cohn from the movie Murderball.
http://gallery.me.co...6...k&view=grid

Oh my god, those pictures make me want to dive like ASAP!!! INCREDIBLE! I'm definitely going to try and take a course before the summer is over.

[twisted_ophelia]

So, I went to Scuba2000 here in the Toronto area and met with one of their dive instructors and I'm gonna do the course They have a pool on site and so next week, he and I are going into the pool for an hour or so for him to put all the gear on me and teach me basic skills and see how my body reacts, etc. If everything goes okay, and I think it will be fine, he's going to give me all the "classroom" materials to take home with me and then I'll do the pool part of the course at some point next week (3 hours in the pool, twice). I'm super excited!!! He's never taught someone with an SCI to dive so I'm kind of his guinea pig but he knows others instructors who have taught paralyzed people to dive and it was fine. Normally they do the course in a group setting but I'm doing it privately (for the same price) because he wants to sort of keep close tabs on me, I guess. I would really really REALLY love to do the Open Water certifcation before the summer is over (4 dives to get certified) and he said I should probably be able to do it. THEN I want to get learn how to dive in wrecks because ghost ships are just some seriously cool shit. I always wanted to be a treasure hunter (for real) when I was a kid. Now's my chance to go dive for dubloons.... Actually I'm just excited to sit on the bottom of the ocean floor breathing and watching sea turtles and angel fish go by my head....

[dancin' johnny]

Here's me at it off Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. I was lucky because my friend is an instructor out there. I'd reccomend it to anyone, it's pure
psychedelia down there!

[gsp23]

Dumb question I have been wondering...

When I swim my legs have tendancy to float. But in the pictures I have seen of paras scuba diving their legs are all straight down. Is it just different when you are completely underwater or what?

[twisted_ophelia]

gsp23, on Jul 29 2009, 11:54 AM, said:

Dumb question I have been wondering...

When I swim my legs have tendancy to float. But in the pictures I have seen of paras scuba diving their legs are all straight down. Is it just different when you are completely underwater or what?

Hmmm I can get back to you on that one next week once I start the course but when I'm swimming in a pool my legs float up behind me and sometimes they kind of sink down, sometimes they stay up. They just have a life of their own when I swim. I know you need to be able to swim 400m unassisted as part of certification so last night, I was practicing swimming laps in 400m spurts in the deep pool but I had a floatation waist belt on. My legs stayed up and floating behind me as I swam but I need to do it without the waist belt and I have no idea what'll go on with my legs. I've never really swam lap after lap without anything at all keeping me or my legs floating. I'm hoping they still stay afloat behind me as I'm moving. It'll probably be easier to swim the 400m without the belt because I could feel it creating drag and slowing me down. Anyway, with scuba gear on? No idea.

Hey, when you guys scuba, do you use hand fins or anything? I was wondering about what could help me swim under there since we can't use fins---or rather, that fins are useless to us

Edited to add: Nice pic, DJ!!!! "Pure psychedelia down there"--love it! Can't wait!!
Edited AGAIN because I forgot to ask... how did you guys get in the water? The instructor at Scuba2000 and I were wondering about the best method for this (off a boat, I assume) because he said one of the required skills is the "open stride" I believe he called it, when you step off the boat with that big stride. That's obviously not going to work for me. Did you guys just toss yourselves in? Slide off the boat? Get someone to throw you??

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 29 July 2009 - 05:39 PM.

[dancin' johnny]

I have noticed on my other photos my legs tended to stay in the wheelchair position. When I swim they do alsorts of stuff, spasming and floating, but when I scubad they were fairly well behaved. I used flippers on my hands for a while but found I could propell myself fairly well without them once I obtained neutral bouyancy.

As for getting in, I sat on the edge of the boat with my back to the water, held my mask with one hand and took a leap of faith backwards just like you see frogmen in the movies do it! It's a real rush when you end up in the water with all that weight on your back for the first time!

[twisted_ophelia]

dancin' johnny, on Jul 29 2009, 02:52 PM, said:

I have noticed on my other photos my legs tended to stay in the wheelchair position. When I swim they do alsorts of stuff, spasming and floating, but when I scubad they were fairly well behaved. I used flippers on my hands for a while but found I could propell myself fairly well without them once I obtained neutral bouyancy.

As for getting in, I sat on the edge of the boat with my back to the water, held my mask with one hand and took a leap of faith backwards just like you see frogmen in the movies do it! It's a real rush when you end up in the water with all that weight on your back for the first time!

Well, tomorrow at some point, I'm going to the pool to practice my swim skills and swim the 400m a few times without any floaty devices. Just me and my goggles! I think I'll be fine. When I'm in the water, my legs seem to alternate between floating and sinking down (sort of in the chair position you described), depending on what I'm doing and sometimes it depends on depth. I find that I'm much more bouyant in the ocean than in pools. And I'm VERY bouyant, always have been since I was a kid. I just float around.

That's what I was thinking I'll do with boats/diving--the leap of faith. I seriously can't wait for the course next week. I've never had full scuba gear on before. I did see hot pink air tanks at the dive shop and got excited though... hot pink scuba gear, hell yeah!

[twisted_ophelia]

I had my first scuba "discovery dive" today and I absolutely loved it. Totally amazing feeling. And it was only in a pool! The feeling must be hugely magnified in giant bodies of water with marine life or wrecks. Incredible.

Instead of retyping everything about my first experience, I figured I'd just give you guys the link to my blog where I wrote in detail about it:
http://mimimachine.blogspot.com/

I'm just about to watch the PADI learn to dive DVD! Yay!

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 05 August 2009 - 04:11 AM.

[wheeliebear75]

That's way cool!

[twisted_ophelia]

wheeliebear75, on Aug 5 2009, 03:04 AM, said:

That's way cool!

Yeah, I'm SOOOOOOO excited about it, I just can't wait to do it regularly. I'm doing the first part of the course next week (confined water AKA pool dives) and the learning materials and I was just talking to my instructor on the phone and we're planning to do my first open water dives the first weekend of September. Instead of me doing four dives in a row, we're going to take it slower and do two dives at a time and then the next two maybe the weekend after or something. Yay!