Asheville, NC – Pioneering Adaptive Diving Initiatives with a Mission to Build Confidence
Diveheart, a non-profit dedicated to adaptive scuba diving, has become an influential player in the diving community by using underwater exploration therapy for individuals living with disabilities. Led by Jim Elliott – former advertising executive turned enthusiastic diver – Diveheart seeks to build confidence, independence and self-esteem in children, veterans and others with disabilities through zero gravity diving therapy, adaptive scuba, or even just recreational diving experiences.
Unleashing the Transformative Potential of Adaptive Scuba Diving
“Within thirty minutes, I can teach someone in a wheelchair who has never experienced water before to breathe and become neutrally buoyant, providing them with the skills to escape gravity on their own and move around independently,” states Elliott. This therapy tool offers unrivaled mobility solutions.
Elliott recognized the profound life-changing potential of diving for individuals living with various disabilities and decided to become a PADI instructor in 1997 to share this life-enhancing experience. Since no existing adaptive diving programs or certifications were available through mainstream dive training agencies at that time, he pioneered his own curriculum by training adaptive divers using PADI Scuba Diver certification.
Tailoring Techniques for Every Individual’s Needs
Teaching adaptive diving requires an in-depth knowledge of tailoring standard scuba techniques and practices to each student’s individual needs. Instructors may help divers by holding tank valves while swimming or providing alternative gear like full-face masks; as Elliott emphasizes: ‘as long as they understand how to equalize and control their breathing we’ll help with everything else.”
Collaborating for Global Impact and Research Advancement
Diveheart’s influence extends far beyond its local community. The organization has operated programs in hundreds of cities worldwide and organizes dive trips to destinations like Cozumel and the Cayman Islands, fostering a vital global community. Additionally, Diveheart collaborates with researchers to advance the use of scuba in physical and psychotherapy, uncovering new findings about the impact of scuba diving in areas such as pain management, PTSD, and autism.
Diveheart continues its innovative efforts, pushing back against adaptive diving boundaries by giving those with disabilities access to underwater exploration – giving them freedom and joy while building confidence, independence, and self-esteem in turn.
About Diveheart
Diveheart is a non-profit organization focused on offering adaptive scuba diving experiences and training to individuals living with disabilities. Established by Jim Elliott, an advertising executive turned passionate diver himself, its purpose is to build confidence, independence and self-esteem with therapeutic scuba diving as an outlet. For more information visit diveheart.org
