Taking the Plunge

By Monique Lefebvre

Have you ever strongly wanted to do something, only to hear “Are you crazy?!” I had always wanted to scuba dive. But, despite the fact that there is no shortage of dive shops in Ottawa, where I live, that try to attract students, I quickly discovered that none of them was prepared to teach a student with cerebral palsy. I, too, had concerns: would my disability be adversely affected by scuba diving? Could I master the skills required in the time allotted? Even if I found a company willing to “let me” try, I knew that I’d need more time than they usually allow.

I almost gave up on the idea, but then I met Hubert Chrtien, the founder and executive director of Freedom at Depth Canada (FADC), a non-profit association that has opened the door to scuba for hundreds of divers with disabilities. It uses curriculum from the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA), an organization with almost 30 years’ training experience and an internationally recognized scuba accreditation program for people with disabilities. With my physician’s blessing (all divers must complete a medical questionnaire and have their doctor sign it), I signed up.

FADC’s training is adapted to meet the requirements of each person while maintaining safety requirements. In my case, this meant two things: I got more time to learn and I was introduced to a buddy system suitable for my needs. All divers must swim with a buddy and, given my level of disability, I am paired with two buddies. Perhaps my biggest diving challenge comes even before my feet hit the water – donning the neoprene wetsuit! Neoprene, a synthetic rubber, traps water against the wearer’s skin. Body heat warms the water, which works to reduce heat loss so the diver can stay in cold water for longer. This was very reassuring to me, given that my level of spasticity varies with temperature. I would, however, require assistance with this sexy rubber suit, and I was pleased to learn that FADC teaches a three-day course to able-bodied divers who would like to dive with people with disabilities. It includes lifting techniques to help us on and off the dive boat, how to assist us with our wetsuits, and how to swim during a dive for people with disabilities. In the water, my primary dive buddy typically holds my air tank so that I won’t get overexerted. My second buddy is there to rescue us in the event of an emergency.

Why am I so passionate about diving? First, there is the amazing marine life. When you descend 40 or 50 feet, you are literally in another world – the flora, fauna and colours are incredible! In addition to the thrill of exploring nature, I had unexpected feelings of freedom and peace. The weightlessness I feel underwater is intoxicating. My muscle spasms subside and my body, normally so restricted above water, experiences the wonders of the deep with a level of independence that is simply not possible with my scooter.

Armed with my passport and diving certificate, I headed to the Bahamas. There, in the clear waters of the Caribbean, I was mesmerized by moray eels and fell in love with colourful royal grammas. I wanted to follow schools of bright blue tangs for miles. I even got up close and personal with about 50 reef sharks. At night, there’s a whole different crowd of creatures.

My next dive trip was to the Red Sea in Jordan. The friendly Jordanians were shocked to learn that a person with a disability would be diving! The coral reefs were absolutely pristine. I will never forget my face-to-face encounter with a huge octopus, which changed from orange to purple to match the coral it hid behind! My scuba instructor steered me away before it could squirt us with ink. I also met a rare Spanish dancer, a nocturnal invertebrate about 25 centimetres long that moves in a wave-like motion.

I am absolutely hooked on scuba diving. Perhaps one day I’ll venture out to the Great Barrier Reef, the Holy Grail of diving. Wherever I go, I know that I’m prepared. I also know how important it is to follow your dreams—scuba has taught me that with the right attitude and the proper amount of support, anything is possible.

Monique Lefebvre lives in Ottawa, Ontario. To learn more about Freedom at Depth Canada, visit www.freedomatdepth.ca.