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Advancing scuba into new depths

Rabeeha Amir
27 October 2022, MVT 18:54
Russian divers with special needs and others who came with them pose for a photo outside the Fuahmulah Scuba Club -- Photo: Fuahmulah Scuba Club
Rabeeha Amir
27 October 2022, MVT 18:54

Six divers with varying degrees of disabilities ranging from paralysis and limb amputations did not let their condition stop them from enjoying a dive in Fuvahmulah waters, indulging in the diverse marine ecosystem just like any other person.

The group of six divers hailing from Russia, finished their week long trip in Fuvahmulah dedicating their time to diving. The group dived thrice a day at times, totaling 15 dives during their short stay. The dives were organized by Fuvahmulah dive center; Fuvahmulah Scuba Club.

Hassan Samir, owner of the diving club, stated that four of his employees' trip to Russia to watch the Moscow Dive Show this year served as the inspiration for the dive.

"We got the idea from the Moscow Dive Show and extended the invitation for Persons with Disabilities to travel to Fuvahmulah for diving. That’s how the six people arrived", Samir said.

The experience with divers with special needs was a very different challenge for Fuvahmulah Scuba Club.

To demonstrate the facility's accessibility to Persons with Disabilities and their readiness to be hosted in Fuvahmulah, the team set up a drill, recorded a video, and even had a staff member go diving in a wheelchair. The team had never taken Persons with Disabilities for diving before and the experience proved to be a heart warming success.

Each visitor received a 40-minute preparation period, and they all had a personal diving instructor. The dives lasted 45 minutes on average, which is how long a dive typically lasts. The visitors made five trips to the island's renowned Tiger Shark Point.

Samir concluded," It is our hope that we get to serve more Persons with Disabilities who are interested in the sport. We wanted to demonstrate the message that even with a disability diving could be possible. The group who visited us were very happy and gave positive feedback".

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