Jupiter, Florida: New Disabled Scuba Program

Scuba Works dive shop in Jupiter, Florida is now a member of the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA). The shop has recently certified their instructors to be able to teach scuba diving to handicapped candidates.

The HSA has over 4000 instructors worldwide and is considered the leader in Handicapped Scuba Training. Their mission is to improve the physical and mental status of handicapped persons wanting to learn to scuba dive.

Scuba Works owner, John Dickinson, says," We wanted to be able to work with handicapped student divers and are pleased the training was available through the Handicapped Scuba Association."

In January of 2009, Rob Murphy, a local diver was struck by a private boat while scuba diving and lost both of his legs. The accident helped put a face on the handicapped divers and put a long overdue plan into action. In less than two months, Rob, an avid diver and spearfisherman, was back in the water diving and hunting.

Stephen Metcalf, a HSA Instructor at Scuba Works is working with the Wounded Warrior Project to be able offer scuba diving to combat wounded veterans. "There are over 3000 disabled veterans, mostly lower leg amputees from IED explosions, which can benefit both mentally and physically from scuba diving," Stephen explained.

Scuba Works is the only shop in the area to offer courses in Open Water Certification for Disabled Divers, Underwater Hunting for Disabled Divers, Underwater Diver Propulsion Vehicle Training and Dive Buddy for disabled divers. 

Contact:

John Dickinson, Scuba Works (561) 575-3483, www.scubaworks.com

Handicapped Scuba Association www.hsascuba.com

Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org