The UAE’s First-Ever PADI Adaptive Diver Training

THE UAE’S FIRST-EVER PADI ADAPTIVE DIVER TRAINING HELD ALONGSIDE PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION

BY RAJANI GUPTA

In March, Rajani Gupta, a scuba diving instructor with over 20 years of experience, worked with inclusion teams in Dubai to put a PADI Adaptive Dive programme together in the UAE. The event was held at Deep Dive Dubai to train ten instructors to enable people of determination to begin their diving journey and see its benefits for their wellbeing. This five-day intensive training was the first of its kind to include people of determination as volunteers.

The programme was conducted by Mr Fraser Bathgate, a paraplegic and founder of Deptherapy, who has spent over three decades developing adaptive techniques to suit the specific needs of those who have lost limbs, been paralysed, and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Having endured the trauma of losing mobility during a climbing accident, Fraser has channelled his energy to convert disability to dive-ability for many after getting PADI certified in 1994.Today, Fraser is the first dive instructor in a wheelchair and is on a mission to help differently abled people see how much more they can move underwater.

Simple yet effective techniques can make the sport accessible to people with various challenges – physical and mental. For such individuals, diving can be therapeutic, motivating, and even life changing.

Under Mr Bathgate’s guidance, ten instructor candidates along with two support divers –a rescue diver and an advanced open water diver – worked with volunteers with a range of impairments to apply their learnings. The state-of-the art facility at Deep Dive Dubai provided a safe and structured environment for all attendees.

While the main participants were the dive instructors and determined volunteers, this event was successful because of the immense support it received from the region. Al Bayan News and ARN Radio provided the media platform. Dubai Police’s Hyperbaric Chamber Department conducted detailed medical tests on the determined volunteers to issue ‘fit to dive’ certificates. Out of twenty applications, eight of them met the criteria. Dr Alaa Sheta, a record holder for underwater wellbeing of individuals, joined in the water to supervise the volunteers’ safety.

Representatives from Al Noor, Touch Dubai, IMInclusive, GEMS Group of Schools and Special Families Support signed up as volunteers. To name a few of them: Sujit Varghese, the official influencer of the 30x30 Dubai Challenge; Jessica Smith, a Paralympic runner and founder of Touch Dubai; Firas, a rescue diver intent on becoming a support diver for his son Thaer Alhaija with Cerebral palsy; Holli, an Advanced Open Water diver and founder of Heroes of Hope.

The Zayed Search and RescueVolunteersTeam and The Nation Aquarium hosted exclusive dive experiences. Eden Mobility, a specialised taxi service where wheelchairs can be rolled in directly, was used to transport Mr Fraser to and from the venue. Emirates Diving Association generously gifted their reusable water bottles to all the participants and instructors. They were also instrumental in generating interest and awareness within the dive community.Aloft Hotel provided hospitality for the duration of Mr Bathgate’s stay and offered its facilities for coffee evenings where ScubaFun.ae hosted an insightful Q&A session.

It was heartening to see their reactions when they experienced diving with their instructors. Ms Nada, the first determined nurse in Dubai, was thrilled to discover how she could walk effortlessly underwater. Victor, who has a hearing impairment, was proud to have the upper hand underwater with his knowledge of sign language. Shameen, a member of the Al Noor staff, was inspired by the benefits of dive therapy. Johann and Venkatraman who have mild autism and Down’s syndrome respectively, were soothed by the calmness of submersion.

The results were inspiring enough for Rajani to keep the programme going and to enhance Deptherapy in the region by offering periodic, hands-on training. She is also currently working on arranging a platform of dive centres and venues for training and accessible dive sites for differently abled individuals. Alongside Deep Dive Dubai; Divers Down, Bermuda Diving Center,Adventure Sports,Al Boom Diving,Dive Garage are a few dive centres who have agreed to support this initiative. The names are only growing and the region is looking at supporting Adaptive Divers with a warm welcome.

The UAE has always protected the rights and dignity of people of determination. We hope to be an empowering force and take this programme to institutions across the country.

For more details on upcoming programmes, please email us at rjscubafunae@gmail.com