Not content with regular old adaptive scuba diving, United Spinal Association board member Ali Ingersoll became the first quadriplegic with a complete spinal cord injury to dive with sharks.
Yes, sharks.
“Prove me wrong,” challenges Ali. “Otherwise, I’m going to the Guinness Book of World Records to try to get this one in the books!”
She went with Thresher Aquatics, which has experience taking people with spinal cord injuries scuba diving with sharks – but not ever with someone whose complete injury, C6, is as high as Ali’s.
“It was the most liberating feeling I’ve had since I’ve broken my neck, actually. Even to get on the boat, out into the choppy seas, safely get lifted onto the back of a platform and dive immediately down into the ocean. … It’s extremely dangerous. We MacGyvered much of it, and that’s life, though, right? You adapt, and you overcome. Or you don’t, and then you don’t get to break ceilings to be the first complete quadriplegic shark diver.”
Whether your goal is to serenely snorkel close to land or to replicate Ali’s feat, these two organizations presented by our Outdoor Access Working Group will get you suited up and underwater.
Diveheart
Based in Illinois, Diveheart is a leader in adaptive scuba training. Through its adventure trips, Diveheart offers adaptive divers and buddies a wide variety of places to improve their skills and gain more experience.
Diveheart offers programs in Oak Lawn, Illinois, Marquette University, Metro Atlanta, Tampa/St. Pete, Miami, and Malaysia/Borneo. Scuba trips to Cozumel, Grenada, and Roatan are also available to divers of all abilities.
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Diveheart is building a three-pool scuba dive and therapy facility in North Chicago. It will include the deepest pool in the country at 130 feet to provide the experience of deep-water diving. Water pressure will be similar to a depth of more than 10 stories but without the chill or currents of the deep ocean.
“Scuba-diving is the only place I can go in the world where I don’t need to take my wheelchair,” says Bill Bogdan, the Chapter Advocacy Coordinator for United Spinal Association of Illinois and Disability Liaison for the Illinois Secretary of State. “If you’re disabled, you get this sense of freedom and weightlessness that’s truly life-changing.” (630) 964-1983, info@diveheart.org
Thresher Aquatics
Located in Lantana, Florida, Thresher Aquatics offers the opportunity to dive at no cost to adaptive divers or their buddies, and they welcome both certified and non-certified individuals of all abilities to participate in underwater exploration. They offer fully accessible beach diving at the Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach or boat trips to explore local wrecks and reefs. Trips to the Florida Keys and Bimini also are offered multiple times throughout the year. (904) 477-6780, info@thresheraquatics.org
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Safety first!
Being safe and knowing how adaptive water sports activities equipment should be handled and used is extremely important in making your experience fun. To have a successful day on the water, the following should also be considered:
- Pack a survival kit with your medications, seasickness pills, first aid supplies, repair tools and extra personal medical supplies such as catheters.
- Bring drinks and food if none are provided.
- Stay hydrated, wear clothing that protects you from the sun (hat, sunglasses, etc.), and remember sunscreen.
- Wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and, if required, a properly fitted helmet and wet suit.
- Always use the correct equipment for your ability level.
- Follow standard rules and instructions, know your limits and make sure you are well-trained.
- Know and recognize the common emergency and help signals.
- Do not go alone. Have someone in close proximity in case something goes wrong.
- Avoid adapted water sports at night or during dangerous weather conditions.
Outdoor Access Working Group
Our United Spinal’s Outdoor Access Working Group collaborates with advocates across the United States to remove barriers and promote outdoor adaptive activities of all kinds. To join us, please fill out this online form.
Featured image is thanks to Diveheart.
