Conditions were, once again, fantastic. We have been very fortunate these past few weeks with calm winds and waters. This makes for stunning visibility, pleasant diving and happy customers.
The calm, clear waters were perfect for our week with Diveheart. Diveheart is an amazing, volunteer-driven nonprofit organization focused on getting adaptive divers trained and into the water. Their mission is to build confidence, independence and self-esteem in children, veterans and others with disabilities by using zero gravity, adaptive scuba and scuba therapy.
There are only a few dive shops in the Keys with instructors qualified and certified to accommodate differently-abled divers. We are proud to be among them. This week, we hosted two divers with disabilities at Florida Keys Dive Center. Despite having no use of their legs, they swim and dive effortlessly underwater.
When diving with adaptive divers, there are safety and comfort considerations to keep in mind, including everything from how to enter and exit the water to what type of buddy support is optimal. Diveheart is one of the leading organizations working with this community, and we have an absolute blast every time they visit.
The afterparty is also a blast. Listening to adaptive divers beam with pride and excitement about their accomplishment makes everything worth it. They were just here, and we already can’t wait for their next visit.
Next Week’s Dive Report
It only gets better from here. This is what summer diving in the Florida Keys is all about. Next week looks to be just as nice as the past few – woo hoo! Would you like to come out and experience our beautiful island chain from the water? We’d love to have you.
Conservation Update
Calm waters are also great for restoration work. I.CARE continues to plant and monitor more endangered corals onto our local reefs. This work requires decent buoyancy and comfort underwater. When the weather and water conditions participate, it makes it even more fun! These upcoming summer months, with flat-calm waters, are ideal for carrying on this important work.
Conservation Tip
Helping all people access and enjoy the water helps to create more stewards. If you’d like to donate to or volunteer with Diveheart, please check out www.diveheart.org.
I.CARE Tip
I.CARE continues with their important work this Saturday. Call Key Dives to sign up.
