Our Ocean Dreams-Handicapped SCUBA

Handicapped SCUBA

Founded in 1981, the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) has dedicated itself to improving the physical and social well being of people with disabilities through the sport of SCUBA diving, and in doing so has become the worldwide authority in this field.

Our Ocean Dreams has been involved with the HSA for a number of years and has been an avid supporter of teaching individuals with disabilities how to dive. If you are a person with a disability looking to get into SCUBA diving, or a certified diver with a disability looking for more adventure, a dive shop owner/dive boat operator looking to meet the needs of the persons with disabilities in your community, or a resort operator wanting to expand your operation to support the individuals with special needs, Our Ocean Dreams can help! Contact Us for more information or just drop us an e-mail and we will contact you about your specific needs.

Becoming a HSA certified diver:

In association with certifying organizations, the HSA has developed a multilevel certification based on the student's ability to successfully complete a performance-based method of not only assessing capability, but also accommodating the disabled diver's specialized needs. The three levels of certification are:

· Level A - The student has completed all of the HSA Physical Performance Standards, demonstrating that he or she can safely SCUBA dive, solve basic personal emergencies, help another diver in distress, and perform basic rescues.

· Level B - While the student is able to complete the Physical Performance Standards that prove their ability to safely SCUBA dive and to solve basic emergencies, they are unable to demonstrate their ability to help another diver in distress. Therefore, Level B divers are certified to dive with TWO dive buddies that are certified in Level A or above.

Level C - The student has completed the Physical Performance Standards that demonstrate their ability to safely SCUBA dive. However, they are unable to complete the standards that prove their ability to solve basic personal emergencies, or to execute basic SCUBA skills such as descending, swimming underwater, or operating their own BCD. Because they must have some basic skills

· performed by other divers, Level C divers are certified to dive with TWO dive buddies.

As a Rehabilitation Medicine physician AND a diving professional, Kari has also been certified as an HSA divemaster. With Kevin they have made it a personal commitment to certify people with disabilities in the sport of SCUBA diving.

Both Kari and Kevin can assist in not only the instruction and certification of HSA divers, but can also help when it comes to the special considerations required for equipment selection. For example, most divers can take for granted things like weight belts, wet suits, and buoyancy control devices. Divers with disabilities each have specific needs for both equipment AND training. Kari and Kevin can assist in both areas.

Already HSA certified and looking for more?

If you have been certified and are looking for other adventures, Kari and Kevin can help. Our Ocean Dreams can help to take you on dives that will further your diving skills and continue your ocean dreams. Not sure where to go next, need to know a barrier-free dive resort, or which live-aboard can meet your special needs? With a wide variety of experience and a network of knowledgeable dive shops and dive resorts, Kari and Kevin can help. While we cannot claim to know all of the accessible operations, we are more than willing to do the research for you. Let us ask the hard questions that will ensure your enjoyment of any dive trip.

Our Ocean Dreams...dedicated to providing unique and specialized aquatic experiences for everyone!
	Handicapped SCUBA Founded in 1981, the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) has dedicated itself to improving the physical and social well being of people with disabilities through the sport of SCUBA diving, and in doing so has become the worldwide authority in this field. Our Ocean Dreams has been involved with the HSA for a number of years and has been an avid supporter of teaching individuals with disabilities how to dive. If you are a person with a disability looking to get into SCUBA diving, or a certified diver with a disability looking for more adventure, a dive shop owner/dive boat operator looking to meet the needs of the persons with disabilities in your community, or a resort operator wanting to expand your operation to support the individuals with special needs, Our Ocean Dreams can help! Contact Us for more information or just drop us an e-mail and we will contact you about your specific needs. Becoming a HSA certified diver: In association with certifying organizations, the HSA has developed a multilevel certification based on the student's ability to successfully complete a performance-based method of not only assessing capability, but also accommodating the disabled diver's specialized needs. The three levels of certification are: · Level A - The student has completed all of the HSA Physical Performance Standards, demonstrating that he or she can safely SCUBA dive, solve basic personal emergencies, help another diver in distress, and perform basic rescues. · Level B - While the student is able to complete the Physical Performance Standards that prove their ability to safely SCUBA dive and to solve basic emergencies, they are unable to demonstrate their ability to help another diver in distress. Therefore, Level B divers are certified to dive with TWO dive buddies that are certified in Level A or above. Level C - The student has completed the Physical Performance Standards that demonstrate their ability to safely SCUBA dive. However, they are unable to complete the standards that prove their ability to solve basic personal emergencies, or to execute basic SCUBA skills such as descending, swimming underwater, or operating their own BCD. Because they must have some basic skills · performed by other divers, Level C divers are certified to dive with TWO dive buddies. As a Rehabilitation Medicine physician AND a diving professional, Kari has also been certified as an HSA divemaster. With Kevin they have made it a personal commitment to certify people with disabilities in the sport of SCUBA diving. Both Kari and Kevin can assist in not only the instruction and certification of HSA divers, but can also help when it comes to the special considerations required for equipment selection. For example, most divers can take for granted things like weight belts, wet suits, and buoyancy control devices. Divers with disabilities each have specific needs for both equipment AND training. Kari and Kevin can assist in both areas. Already HSA certified and looking for more? If you have been certified and are looking for other adventures, Kari and Kevin can help. Our Ocean Dreams can help to take you on dives that will further your diving skills and continue your ocean dreams. Not sure where to go next, need to know a barrier-free dive resort, or which live-aboard can meet your special needs? With a wide variety of experience and a network of knowledgeable dive shops and dive resorts, Kari and Kevin can help. While we cannot claim to know all of the accessible operations, we are more than willing to do the research for you. Let us ask the hard questions that will ensure your enjoyment of any dive trip.