Swimming With Scuba

Swimming with SCUBA

The goal of Swimming With Scuba a free program in Whiting, Indiana, is to enable an individual with a disability to achieve self propulsion in a weightless environment while being able to participate in an inclusive physical and recreational activity—SCUBA, and to learn of the many places they can dive in the world.

“One with the Water” is the program in which swimming with scuba will be taught, and is based on teaching concepts and standards from the Professional Association of Dive Instructors, PADI and The Handicapped SCUBA Association, HSA. Areas of learning and mastery for Swimming with SCUBA are: breath control, buoyancy, gross and fine motor movements, and self propulsion.

Over 54 million persons in the United States live with a disability; as a result one of the targeted priorities of Healthy People 2010 is the promotion of health and the reduction of secondary conditions . The puropse of a health promotion program for people with disabilities are to decrease secondary conditions, improve functional independence and improve overall quality of life.

Specific Aims of Swimming with Scuba

· Adjustment--to help individuals with disabilities understand the effects of buoyancy and develop confidence while in the water.

 · Security--Ensuring that the swimmer feels secure in the water is critical; this is achieved through mental adjustment activities.

 · Control--It is important for the individual with a disability to learn to maintain body control while overcoming the rotational force of the water.

 · Motor Learning--mastery of gross and fine motor skills in water

 · Progressive Strengthening--through increased time and endurance activities in water

 · Self- Propulsion” or “Swimming”--is taught in a gravity free environment and is unique to the individual and their ability.

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