Operation Bottom Time is a project offered by the Arizona Disabled Scuba Divers Foundation, which addresses rehabilitation needs of disabled veterans. The goals of the project are to use the sport of scuba diving to:
•build participants’ confidence and competence
•provide opportunities to socialize and network with other disabled and able-bodied persons in a positive and productive environment
•provide opportunities for families to reconnect in meaningful activities that enhance physical and mental health.
Operation Bottom Time is a unique program that serves 36 disabled veterans and 18 support personnel (e.g., family members) by providing scuba diving training and certification. The program consists of 2 major components: Disabled Persons Program and Volunteer Support Program.
The Disabled Persons Program consists of 4 parts:
1. Discovery Scuba (a 3-hour in-water introduction to scuba diving)
2. Scuba Certification [a five to seven day training that results in one of two types of certifications--Handicapped Scuba Association
(HSA) for those whose disabilities limit their ability to dive independently or the Professional Association of Dive Instructors
(PADI) for those who are able to dive independently]
3. Dive Adventure (a 4 day open ocean water experience)
4. Family Support (9 day program to help interested family members earn both a PADI and HSA certifications)
The Volunteer Support Program is designed to provide training for PADI certified divers to work with disabled divers according to the HSA standards. Volunteers will train for 5 days in this program.
The program for Operation Bottom Time is offered over the course of a year. Participants will select from 6 sessions for the Discovery Scuba and 6 sessions for the Certification Classes and from 3 sessions for the Dive Adventure. This ensures small class sizes and that divers advance as they are able to do so.
